The brand-new football pitches at High Copse sports ground near Shinfield will finish their first full week of matches on Saturday 15 November. The opening occasion marked an exciting milestone for Shinfield Rangers Football Club, who will now call the facility their home. Both boys’ and girls’ teams featured in the inaugural games, with players and spectators alike impressed by the quality of the new grounds.
The opening of the pitches is the moment the local community and sports clubs have eagerly anticipated since the pavilion first welcomed visitors in January 2025. The £7 million High Copse facility includes a purpose-built pavilion with changing rooms, a large function space, and a kitchen and bar. Alongside the football pitches, a full-size cricket pitch will also be available for use from April 2026.
The University of Reading provided the facility as part of the Shinfield West housing development, and Shinfield Parish Council now manages and maintains the site. The new pitches address increasing demand from local sports clubs and provide much-needed space for youth and community sport.
Molli Cleaver, Community Engagement Manager at the University of Reading, said: “It’s wonderful to see these pitches finally in use and to see the excitement of the young players taking to the field for the first time. This facility represents the University’s commitment to supporting local communities, and we’re delighted that Shinfield Rangers and other local clubs will benefit from these high-quality sports facilities for years to come.”
Cllr Brett Johnson, Chair of Shinfield Parish Council’s Facilities Committee, added: “While the Council has been operating the pavilion for community use since January 2025, it is fantastic to now see these excellent new facilities being used for their primary purpose – expanding the provision for local football and cricket teams. It was a joy to watch the first football matches played here and welcome Shinfield Rangers FC to their new home. We look forward to the first cricket matches when the season begins next year and are in talks with local clubs. This is the next big step for sport in the parish and we will now consider how we can broaden our provision even further, encouraging people to lead healthy, active lifestyles.”
The pavilion at High Copse is also available for private hire, offering a versatile space for community events alongside its sporting facilities.
