Woodlands International College views its R25m sports facility as the most versatile and accomplished in the country.
The facility is a synthetic astroturf multidisciplinary sporting complex on the school’s sports field on Dr Vosloo Drive.
Apart from soon hosting a diverse array of sporting disciplines, the facility will draw top athletes from every conceivable sporting endeavour on both a provincial and a national level.
Woodland’s director Brenda Sampson explained early interest has already been received from several cricket, hockey, athletics and mountain biking clubs, as well as biokinetics centres seeking to be based at the complex.
While details of phase two will be disclosed later on and completed in about three years, phase one will see the construction of the multisport Astro-turf-surfaced area of about 40 500m2 (or ten acres). It will also be home to a full-size cricket oval featuring a permanent pitch, two senior-size hockey and soccer fields, four junior-size counterparts, three permanent netball courts (with scope to add a further eleven such courts during peak season), and a 400m athletics track with standalone 100m sprint track.
The complex will also feature a 2km technical mountain bike track with night lighting, an outdoor audio system and a dedicated technical area.
An upgrade of the college’s existing sports fields on the school grounds will see the resurfacing and enclosing of its current netball, tennis and basketball courts, the building of a viewing deck and the addition of further event disciplines to include two long jump pits, two shot put circles, a discus circle, a javelin run-up, high jump platform and three cricket nets.
The college’s grass soccer and netball match fields are to be rejuvenated and its sporting offering complemented by the recent addition of multi-purpose training fields surrounding the Matthews Hall and senior college which will be used for 5’s hockey and netball, mini-cricket, mini-soccer, indoor soccer and T-ball.
Evening games will be able to be enjoyed under dimmable floodlights, and ample seating and water fountains will ensure the comfort of competitors and spectators alike.
Sampson highlighted the facility could also create unparalleled opportunities for social development and upliftment of less fortunate communities in the arena of school sports.
“We want to help those who are serious and showing potential by assisting them with what they need to participate in the sport.”
Sampson highlighted they hope this project will keep local learners in Boksburg instead of schools that are far away from attracting top athletes.
Over the course of its 21-year history, the founders of Woodlands International College have enjoyed the pleasure of officiating at many groundbreaking ceremonies on its campuses, as foundation after foundation has been cast in the making of this youthful – but growing – institution.
“Continual reinvestment in infrastructure, facilities, technology, and human resources are crucial in order to ensure sustainability, relevance and competitiveness,” said directors and co-founders Ronnie and Janet Matthews.
Most recently the college threw open the doors in 2019 to the Matthews Hall, a 2 500m² multi-purpose hall capable of accommodating the entire student and staff body, together with visitors, and staging dramatic and cultural productions enhanced by leading-edge sound and lighting.
The hall also facilitates the hosting of varied indoor sporting activities, irrespective and independent of the outside weather conditions.
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