New 3G pitches at Cotswold Sports Centre

Published: 17 July 2025

West Berkshire Council leases the Cotswold Sports Centre and the tennis courts next to it from Tilehurst Parish Council. The courts had become very run down so had not been used for some years, but the district council recently used some money from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to refurbish them as new 3G all-weather playing pitches.

On Wednesday 16 July, the new pitches were officially opened, and it was announced that there would be free community football sessions all day on Wednesday 23 July. All sessions will be led by a qualified Level 2 football coach, so it’s a good opportunity to have fun and learn some new skills. Sessions will be available as follows:

• Walking football for ages 16+ years – 1.00-2.00pm
• Junior football for ages 5 to 7 years – 2.00-3.00pm
• Junior football for ages 8 to 10 years – 3.00-4.00pm
• Junior football for ages 11 to 15 years – 4.00-5.00pm

They can be booked through the Everyone Active app by calling the sports centre directly on 0118 941 4690.

The new artificial surface will be available for booking all year round, and is primarily intended to be used for playing football, although other sports can be played on it. The floodlights next to the pitches have been reinstated so that they can be used in the evenings.

The pitches are available to book between 8.30am and 9.00pm on weekdays, and between 8.30am and 6.00pm at weekends.  They will be locked and the floodlights turned off overnight.

For booking information and enquiries, see the sports centre’s web site.