The University of Oxford has officially opened its new state-of-the-art sports facility. Encompassing a spacious four court sports hall, refurbished café, changing rooms and the Gallie-Lewis Dean Gym, the Acer Nethercott Sports Centre is set to transform the experience of sport at Oxford – not just for students and staff, but also for the wider community.
Official opening celebrations took place at the weekend and provided an important opportunity for the University to personally thank donors for their support. More than 450 alumni and friends gave just over £4.3 million towards the facility, which will play a key role in helping Oxford to increase participation in sport and exercise.
Jon Roycroft, Director of Sport at Oxford, says: 'We are very excited by this new development, both in terms of the additional sporting opportunities it offers our students, sport clubs and the community, and through the use of technology, making this a very special place to play. We are also humbled by the generosity of benefactors and the University, who have made this possible.'
Perhaps one of the most exciting features to be incorporated into the new building is a cutting-edge glass floor. Complete with LED lighting, it makes it possible to easily switch the line markings for different sports, thereby avoiding the confusion that comes from having multiple lines painted over one another. Thanks to donor generosity, Oxford is one of the first places in the UK to use this innovative sports technology.
An accomplished scholar-athlete
The centre is named after Dr Acer Nethercott, who passed away five years ago at the age of just 35. Widely regarded as the best British cox of all time, Acer was an accomplished scholar-athlete, who not only achieved incredible sporting success but also excelled in his studies at Oxford.
Speaking at the event, The Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes, Chancellor of the University, said: 'Acer was a model scholar-athlete who he believed that sport and academia complemented one another. We hope that his memory will inspire present and future students and local community members to use and enjoy these new facilities.'
Both sport and exercise are vital components for good physical and mental health, and are particularly important in high-pressure, high-achieving academic environments. At Oxford, where the need to refresh and reinvigorate both mind and body are essential to success, these new facilities will play a key role in enabling students and staff to lead active and healthy lives.
The new vision for Iffley Road
The completion of the Acer Nethercott Sports Centre marks the end of the first phase of the University's ambitious plans to redevelop its historic Iffley Road site into a world-class multi-sports complex.
Constructed in 1966, the site's original facilities have struggled to keep pace with changing student and sports demographics, such as women's sports, activities for disabled athletes and the variety of international sports now played in Oxford. Now, thanks to the generosity of donors, the University is now one step closer to becoming a truly inclusive and accessible home for all those who wish to engage with sport.
Fundraising for the next phase of the Iffley Road redevelopment is expected to begin shortly, with designs to include a wellbeing centre and gym, a six-court sports hall, a grandstand complex and an outdoor tennis centre.