HISTORY OF THE SPORTS CLUB
In 1989 East Grinstead Cricket Club and East Grinstead Hockey Club merged to create East Grinstead Sports Club. Both clubs had a very long tradition of playing sport in the town but could see the benefits of joining forces to mutual advantage.
With the merger it was possible to sell the Cricket ground and move up to the Hockey Club who owned its own land. The proceeds of the sale were spent on building a new pavilion, laying an artificial sand pitch (used for Hockey) and creating a new cricket square.
As the Ladies Hockey Club also played at the old cricket ground it was also possible for them to join the new club and enjoy the new facilities. There were already two squash courts at the hockey club site so the merger turned the club into a true multi-sports club.
The original sand based all weather pitch was completed in 1992 allowing the Hockey Club to play all their home matches on site. Further expansion of the sports club happened in 1997 when the Felbridge Badminton Club joined adding a fourth club; they continue to be a major force within the sport club.
In 2002 a lottery grant of over £1 million was received towards the £1.7 million total cost of providing a new water-based all-weather hockey pitch, a new fitness suite, a jogging track, new changing facilities together with improved office accommodation.
This allowed the Men’s 1st XI Hockey team to reach the heights of the Premier League (the highest club league in the country) and were Champions in 2009. They have then gone on to compete successfully in the European league and to compete in European competitions. With the improved facilities it has also allowed the Ladies team to develop and they are also in the Premier League.
We were delighted to welcome Meridian Archery Club and Saint Hill Blues Football Club to our Sports Club umbrella in 2005. Both clubs are dedicated to the progression and performance of young people with regular training nights at the sports club.
In 2003 East Grinstead Sports Club registered as a Charity organisation. It was formed to safeguard the future of the member clubs and the facilities at the site. This means that any profits for the company go back into the running of the facility and the developments of young athletes in all sports we provide.
The club is not a private members club, it is a community sports hub for everyone to enjoy.
In 2010, the original all weather pitch was resurfaced as a 3G pitch and is a very popular facility for several sports.
It is extensively use for football but has also become the home base for East Grinstead Lacrosse Club.
The G4S Netball Centre was officially opened on May 3rd 2008 by Phyllis Avery, the President of England Netball.
The 9 court netball centre provides a regional centre of excellence for the south east, with no other similar Netball facility within the region. The centre gives hundreds of young women the opportunity to compete in local and regional leagues, as well as national tournaments and festivals.
When not in use for netball the facility is increasingly used for tennis, which is a growing sport at the club.
In 2008 a local squash and gym club closed down and as part of its purpose the Charity decided to help the existing club transformed their existing squash courts into a new Gym.
It wasn’t until 2012 that three new courts were able to be built and save the old club, the Dunnings Squash and Racketball Club then moved into its new site.
They now have three glass backed squash courts with a viewing gallery and participate in the local leagues with their Men’s, Ladies and Junior teams.
