The Queen’s School are proud to officially launch our brand-new state-of-the-art Astro pitch, setting out a clear vision for it to become a first-class sports facility in the heart of the city — one that benefits not only Queen’s girls but the wider Chester community.
Set beneath Chester’s historic Roman Walls, the new professional-grade pitch represents a multi-million-pound investment in sport at the School, benefitting both students and the wider City’s sporting landscape. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by Headmistress Joanne Keville, Chair of Governors Kirsty Whiteley, and the Lord Mayor of Chester, marked the beginning of an ambitious multi-year programme of growth and investment in sport at Queen’s.
Former England and Team GB hockey player Hollie Pearne-Webb also attended as a special guest. Best known for scoring the winning penalty in the 2016 Olympic final in Rio de Janeiro, securing Great Britain’s first-ever women’s hockey gold medal, Hollie delivered an inspiring speech on the importance of sport in schools and the lifelong benefits it brings. She spoke passionately about empowering girls to actively pursue sport, and highlight the new facility as a valuable asset to open up more opportunities for girls at Queen’s and across the wider Chester community.
A clear vision for Chester sport
Headmistress Joanne Keville set out a bold ambition for the new facility:
The Queen’s School has already launched a programme for local primary schools and is partnering with Chester Hockey Club for training and Saturday fixtures, with plans to work with more schools, community initiatives, charities and businesses to further open up access to sport across the region.