Wikipedia

Maiden Castle sports centre

Maiden Castle sports centre, also known as the Graham Sports Centre and the Durham University Sport and Wellbeing Park, is the main sports complex at Durham University and the home for many of the university's teams. It also stages professional football as the home of Durham W.F.C. since 2020 and is used as an international venue, including hosting one of the four 2023 Women's EuroHockey Championship Qualifiers tournaments in summer 2022 and the 1995 IAAF World Cross Country Championships. It has been used as a training ground by Hartlepool United since 2021, having previously been used by Newcastle United.

Maiden Castle
Map
AddressMaiden Castle
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3SE[1]
United Kingdom
Coordinates54°46′01″N 1°33′32″W / 54.767°N 1.559°W / 54.767; -1.559[2]
Elevation35 m (115 ft) to 36 m (118 ft)
Public transit"Houghall College" bus stop (multiple routes from Arriva and Go North East)[1]
Parking250 cars; 16 coaches
OwnerDurham University
Record attendance2,381 (Football: Durham W.F.C. vs Manchester City W.F.C., Women's FA Cup, 14 January 2024)[3]
ScoreboardYes (digital)[4]
Construction
Built1961–1965
Opened8 May 1965 (1965-05-08)
Expanded1984–88, 2009–12, 2017–19
Tenants
Team Durham (BUCS)
1965–present
Durham W.F.C. (FAWC)
2020–present
Hartlepool United (training ground)
by 2009–2017 and 2021–present
DMP Durham Sharks (Premier 15s)
2021
Newcastle United (training ground)
1992–2001

The sports centre is situated on the southeast side of Durham on the floodplain of the River Wear, just south of the Maiden Castle iron age fort from which it takes its name. The main sports complex, including the centre buildings and artificial pitches, are located on the west bank of the river, with vehicular access from the A177 Stockton Road, with additional playing fields on the east bank linked to the main complex via a footbridge. Paths along the river link Maiden Castle to the university's other sports fields at Hollow Drift (150 m north) and The Racecourse.[5]

Development

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The original sports centre was designed by Cordingley and McIntyre and constructed by R.E. Coleman Ltd between 1961 and 1965.[6] It was opened on 8 May 1965 by Clive Rowlands, captain of the Welsh rugby team, as "Maiden Castle Sports Hall and Playing Fields", with an athletics meeting being held the same day.[7][8] An all-weather hockey pitch was added in the early 1970s and a footbridge was built across the River Wear, allowing for the development of more pitches on the east bank of the river.[9]

Expansion of the facilities was proposed in 1981[10] and funds were raised as part of Durham University's 150th anniversary appeal.[11] This led to its redevelopment as the Graham Sports Centre over 1984 to 1988,[12] named (from January 1985) after university registrar Ian Graham who had died in December 1984.[13][14]

In 2001 the sports centre was refurbished and upgrades were made to the artificial pitch, running track and tennis courts.[15] In 2002 a new water-based astroturf hockey pitch was opened alongside the existing all-weather pitch.[16]

A £6.7 million upgrade to Maiden Castle, including £500,000 from Sport England, to add indoor cricket nets, a fencing piste and a powered indoor rowing tank was begun in 2009 as part of the sporting legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games.[17] A 3G rubber crumb artificial pitch was installed for the start of the 2009/10 season.[18] The renovated centre was opened in 2012 by Sport and Olympics Minister, Hugh Robertson. Facilities at Maiden Castle were used for training by the Sri Lanka Olympic badminton team prior to the games.[19] A further £500,000 grant from Sport England in 2013 enabled construction of a second 3G rubber crumb artificial pitch.[20] The pitch was officially opened with a lacrosse match between Durham University's women's team and the Team England development squad.[21]

In 2017–19 a major upgrade to Maiden Castle was carried out at a cost of £35 million. External work in 2017 saw the installation of a third 3G rubber crumb inside the running track, the resurfacing of the existing water-based artificial hockey pitch and the reconstruction of the sand-based hockey pitch as a water-based pitch, as well as upgrades to the carparking at the site. Internal work and extensions to the existing buildings, designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects and built by Galliford Try over 2018–19,[5][22] saw the addition of a 12 court sports hall, indoor cricket centre, sports labs, indoor tennis and squash courts and a new fitness suite, as well as the construction of sports laboratories for use in sports science degree programmes.[23][24][25][26] However, the expansion raised opposition from the City of Durham Trust as the site lies within the North East Green Belt and there were concerns about the environmental impact of the floodlights. Durham County Council's senior planning officer found that the development was inappropriate for green belt land but that the harm was "less than substantial" and outweighed by the benefits of maximizing participation in sport.[27]

Use of the sports complex

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For university sport

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The sports centre is owned by Durham University and had been used for university sport since it opened in 1965. It hosts inter-varsity sport as one of Team Durham's home grounds and also inter-collegiate sport between the Colleges of Durham University. Sports played at Maiden Castle include American football, athletics, association football, badminton, baseball, basketball, cricket (indoor and outdoor), fencing, field hockey, floorball, futsal, gymnastics, handball, judo, karate, lacrosse, mixed martial arts, netball, rugby league, rugby union, squash, tennis, touch rugby, ultimate frisbee, volleyball and wheelchair basketball.[28][29]

Maiden Castle hosted the University Athletics Union Championships in 1966 and 1973,[30] the British Universities Championships in 1970[31] and the British Students Cross Country Championships in 1994.[32]

As a training centre

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During the group stages of the 1966 FIFA World Cup, group 4 was based in the northeast of England. The Soviet team was based at Grey College, Durham and trained at Maiden Castle.[33][34] The Soviets ordered a larger flag when they realised that the flag of the Italian team, who were training across the road at Houghall College, was larger. The replacement flag was then stolen as a "spur of the moment thing" in broad daylight.[35] Police were unable to trace it, but it was handed in to the offices of The Northern Echo over 50 years later and returned to the university.[36][37][38]

From 1992 to 2001, Maiden Castle was the training ground for Newcastle United, attracting crowds of up to 5,000 fans. The openness of the Maiden Castle training sessions was credited with helping Kevin Keegan's team bond with their fans.[39][40]

Hartlepool United used Maiden Castle as a training ground from at least 2008/9 up to 2017, when work began on the renovation,[41][42] and returned in 2021/2 after the new facilities opened.[43][44] In addition to training, Hartlepool have played friendly matches at Maiden Castle.[45]

In July 2022, the Zambian team trained at Maiden Castle in the run up to the 2022 Commonwealth Games.[46]

As an international venue

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In December 1994, Maiden Castle hosted the County Durham International Cross Country (later the Great Edinburgh International Cross Country).[47][48] A few months later it hosted the 1995 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.[49]

Maiden Castle staged two under-21 international hockey matches between England and Scotland in 2004, with England winning both games.[50]

Durham hosted its first full international hockey matches in 2022, with the six matches of 2023 Women's EuroHockey Championship Qualifier A, hosted by England, being held at Maiden Castle over 25–28 August.[51][52] The four competing teams were England, Wales, Croatia and Slovakia, with Russia having been originally scheduled to participate prior to their exclusion following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[53][54][55] Prior to the qualifiers, Wales and Scotland played a three-match uncapped series at Maiden Castle in May 2022, with Scotland winning all three games.[56][57]

As a professional club ground

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Durham W.F.C. (association football) moved to Maiden Castle in summer 2020 following work on the facilities around the 3G pitch and running track to meet the requirements of the FA Women's Championship. Upgrades included the construction of a 300-seat, fully-covered stand, upgraded floodlights and changing rooms, facilities for broadcasting and press, and the installation of turnstiles and a barrier around the spectator area.[58]

The Darlington Mowden Park Durham Sharks (rugby union) played their home games in the latter part of the 2020/21 Allianz Premier 15s season (from February 2021) at Maiden Castle.[59]

Durham County Cricket Club have used the Maiden Castle cricket ground occasionally for Second XI Championship matches.[60][61][62]

Facilities

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The indoor facilities along with the artificial pitches and a grass-wicket cricket field (with grass pitches in the outfield) are located on the west side of the River Wear, with access from the A177 Stockton Road. The remaining grass pitches and a cricket field with an artificial wicket are located on the east side of the river with access from the west bank via a footbridge. The Durham University Boat Club boathouse is also located at the Maiden Castle site, on the west bank of the river. All three 3G rubber crumb pitches are included on the register of full-size artificial pitches certified by the Rugby Football Union as meeting World Rugby standards[63] and on the Football Association's 3G pitch register as meeting FIFA standards.[64] In total, there are around 44 acres (18 ha) of playing fields.[65]

Outdoor facilities include:[44][66][67]

  • Floodlit 100 metres (110 yd)  ×  64 metres (70 yd) playing surface, 3G rubber crumb artificial football pitch and four-lane running track with 300-seat stand, spectator fencing, scoreboard and turnstiles
  • Two other floodlit 3G rubber crumb artificial pitches of 110 metres (120 yd)  ×  75 metres (82 yd)[68] and 115 metres (126 yd)  ×  76 metres (83 yd)[69] total area
  • Two floodlit 91.4 metres (100.0 yd)  ×  55 metres (60 yd) playing surface, water-based astroturf artificial hockey pitches
  • Seven grass pitches
  • Cricket field with artificial wicket
  • Cricket field with grass wicket
  • Tarmac tennis and netball courts

Indoor facilities include:[5][26][44][65][66]

  • 2,106 square metres (22,670 sq ft) 12 court sports hall, with seating for 2,000 spectators in arena configuration
  • 1,031 square metres (11,100 sq ft) sports hall (two basketball courts)
  • Fitness suite
  • Martial arts dojo
  • Fencing salle
  • Powered rowing tank
  • Ergo gallery
  • 885 square metres (9,530 sq ft) indoor cricket centre
  • Aerobics room
  • Weights room
  • Physiotherapy centre

The centre also hosts the Durham University Esports Hub, which is equipped with 12 gaming PCs and streaming equipment.[70]

See also

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  • The Racecourse – Durham University's other major sports venue and main cricket ground
  • Darsley Park – Newcastle United's current training ground

References

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  1. ^ a b "Travel Information". Durham Women FC. 23 April 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  2. ^ "National Statistics Postcode Lookup". Open Geography Portal. Office for National Statistics. May 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  3. ^ Joseph Saunders (16 January 2024). "Record crowd watch Man City dump Durham Women out of the cup". Palatinate.
  4. ^ "New additions at Maiden Castle for Durham Women ahead of 2024/25 season". Durham Women FC. 5 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b c FaulknerBrowns Architects (June 2017). "Design and access statement" (PDF). Planning application documents for case DM/17/01929/FPA Extension and refurbishment of the existing sports centre, erection of associated changing pavilion, 2 no. beach volley ball courts with associated landscaping and infrastructure. Durham County Council. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Maiden Castle playing fields, gymnasium and pavilion, architect Cordingley & McIntyre of Durham, contractor R.E. ..." Durham University Records. Durham University. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Playing Fields, Board of Management of, comprising correspondence, and (mainly for the period 1965-1968) agendas ..." Durham University Records. Durham University. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  8. ^ Nigel Watson. The Durham Difference. James & James. p. 78.
  9. ^ Nigel Watson. The Durham Difference. James & James. p. 91.
  10. ^ "Maiden Castle Sports Hall Project ..." Durham University Records. Durham University. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  11. ^ "150th Anniversary appeal ..." Durham University Records. Durham University. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  12. ^ ""The Graham Sports Centre", Maiden Castle Sports Hall Project ..." Durham University Records. Durham University. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Unveiling of the plaque and photo of Ian Graham at the Maiden Castle Sports Centre ..." Durham University Records. Durham University. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Ian Graham Awards Committee, comprising correspondence, and agenda papers of the Committee for the Ian ..." Durham University Records. Durham University. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  15. ^ Nigel Watson. The Durham Difference. James & James. p. 126.
  16. ^ Stuart Rayner (23 March 2005). "Hockey: Hoping to crack it at Easter". Chronicle Live.
  17. ^ "Boost for community sport plans". BBC News. 12 October 2009.
  18. ^ "News". Durham University. 16 September 2009. Maiden Castle and Sports Facilities. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  19. ^ "London 2012: Durham University sports complex opens". BBC News. 21 February 2012.
  20. ^ David Siesage (6 April 2013). "New artificial pitch for Maiden Castle". Palatinate.
  21. ^ "Durham Lacrosse players celebrate their win over Team England". Durham University. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  22. ^ "Galliford Try signed for £32m Durham Uni sports centre". The Construction Index. 2 August 2018.
  23. ^ Tony Kearney (16 July 2017). "Work starts on £35 million upgrade of Maiden Castle centre to create sports park for Durham". The Northern Echo.
  24. ^ James Martland (5 October 2017). "The £35m Maiden Castle redevelopment: an update". Palatinate.
  25. ^ "Maiden Castle". Accommodation & Estates Developments: Past Projects. Durham University. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021.
  26. ^ a b Kali Lindsay (1 August 2018). "Durham University starts work on state-of-the-art £31m Maiden Castle sports facility". Chronicle Live.
  27. ^ Gavin Engelbrecht (11 October 2017). "Councillors agree to allow floodlights at Durham's Maiden Castle despite concerns over harm to greenbelt". The Northern Echo.
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  32. ^ "British Universities Championships (other)". gbathletics.com. Athletics Weekly. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  33. ^ Vernon Armitage (January 2009). "1966 World Cup" (PDF). Grey Matters. Grey College Association. p. 25.
  34. ^ Ian Mole. "The World Cup in Sunderland". A Love Supreme. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  35. ^ Simon Burnton; Jim Powell (29 July 2016). "1966 World Cup: how apathy turned to joy in England's golden summer". The Guardian.
  36. ^ Nick Gullon (2 October 2017). "Man who stole Soviet Union flag during 1966 World Cup hands it in after 51 years - to The Northern Ech". The Northern Echo.
  37. ^ Nick Gullon (17 October 2017). "Stolen Soviet Union World Cup flag returned to Durham University warden 50 years after it went missing". The Northern Echo.
  38. ^ Simon Burnton; Jim Powell (29 July 2016). "1966 World Cup: how apathy turned to joy in England's golden summer". The Guardian.
  39. ^ Andrew Musgrove (6 December 2020). "'It was a wonderful time' - Memories of Maiden Castle from the NUFC legends who trained there". Chronicle Live.
  40. ^ Andrew Musgrove (21 December 2020). "Snowball fights and noughts and crosses: How Maiden Castle showed NUFC legend Kevin Keegan at his best". Chronicle Live.
  41. ^ Simon Turnbull (23 January 2009). "FA Cup countdown: 'West Ham have got no idea what we are like'". The Independent.
  42. ^ George Bond (11 February 2017). "Durham and Hartlepool agree facilities deal". Palatinate.
  43. ^ Dominic Scurr (7 July 2021). "New £32 million training facility 'a major coup' for Hartlepool United admits chairman". Hartlepool Mail.
  44. ^ a b c "Hartlepool United secure partnership with Durham University for new Training Facility". Hartlepool United. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  45. ^ Dominic Scurr (20 September 2021). "Hartlepool United organise behind closed doors friendly match as fringe players work on fitness". Hartlepool Mail.
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  62. ^ "Doneathy takes nine but seconds slip to Pears defeat". Durham County Cricket Club. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
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  65. ^ a b "PGCE Secondary - Physical Education". Durham University. Learning. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  66. ^ a b "Facilities". Team Durham. Durham University. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  67. ^ dpp planning (February 2017). "Sports Pitches Planning Statement" (PDF). Planning application documents associated with DM/17/00713/FPA Reconfiguration and resurfacing of three sports pitches including the erection of associated floodlight columns and enclosures, hard and soft landscaping, and revised access arrangement and car park layout. Durham County Council.
  68. ^ University of Durham Estates and Buildings Department (April 2008). "Proposed layout plan" (PDF). Planning application documents associated with 4/08/01073/FPA Proposed construction of synthetic rubber crumb rugby pitch including erection of floodlights and 3.0m high perimeter fence. Durham County Council.
  69. ^ University of Durham Estates and Buildings Department (April 2013). "Proposed site plan" (PDF). Planning application documents associated with 4/12/01149/FPA Construction of New Synthetic Rubber Crumb Pitch including 3m and 5m High Perimeter Fencing and Floodlighting. Durham County Council.
  70. ^ Dom Sacco (28 September 2024). "Durham University opens new esports hub". eSports News UK.
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