Spotlight on: King's College Sports Ground in Brockley

• By Ellen O'Riordan on Mar 30, 2016

Spotlight on: King's College Sports Ground in Brockley

The Kings College Sports Grounds in Brockley is better known on the streets as the “Brockley Rise HOP”, springing to mind images of some sort of dancing vegetable uprising.  After receiving a multi-million-pound refurbishment, one would hope that the broccoli centre would be of a fairly snazzy standard.  Well, it seems that the bucks weren’t wasted and the grounds do not disappoint, as the South London facility offers top-notch sports facilities to both its university students and the general public.  

The site boasts two full-sized astroturf pitches with A-grass surfacing, jazzed up by floodlighting, so your football skills can shine through the dark.  One of the pitches is reserved primarily for hockey, but the other is available for a multitude of sports, including eleven-a-side football.  The grass rugby pitch is impeccably marked and flanked by tall trees, which create seclusion and add a sense of intimacy to your game, helping you to get away with dodgy tackles and dubious play.  A separate grass football pitch is equally looked after with good quality nets and posts.  The astroturf pitches can be transformed into tennis courts, just in time for Wimbledon each year and are available throughout the summer.  On top of these four pitches, there is also a large grass training suitable for recreational use and coaching sessions.

The changing rooms are spacious and abnormally clean, providing a nice liberation from the mouldy, mushroom growing climates of so many facilities.  The bar and clubhouse are a great shout for a pint of cheap Fosters and a social atmosphere.  You can relax on the balcony whilst sizing up the talent and competition on the pitches below.

The facilities are taken advantage of by many clubs and coaches.  Training at the facilities are Guy’s Rugby Club, King’s Rugby Club and Alleyn’s Hockey Club, alongside the college’s many sports teams. Nonetheless, opening 8 am to 9 pm every day of the week, there is still plenty of time for external players to book the fields.

Getting to Brockley Rise HOP:  To reach the grounds, take the train from London Bridge to Honor Oak Park (3 stops).  Head left out of the station and cross the road, continuing on a short distance until you find Brockley Rise on your left.  Once on the street, the grounds will be beckoning from your right-hand side.

Contact Details:  Email Mr. John Baigan on John.Baigan@kcl.ac.uk or phone 020 8613 9432 for booking enquiries.