Sports Leaders from neighbouring Archbishop Tenison’s School enjoyed a day out in The Kia Oval’s brand new M.A.R. Galadari Stand yesterday.
Sitting on the Laker Balcony at the very top of the stand, the pupils enjoyed panoramic views across London in one direction and the chance to watch the third day’s play of Surrey’s LV= Insurance County Championship clash with Somerset in the other.
The students also enjoyed a tour of the historic Micky Stewart Members’ Pavilion, seeing the Long Room and the newly extended Prince of Wales Room – where they learnt about the ownership of the ground and Surrey’s relationship with the Duchy of Cornwall.
The school is a familiar site to cricket fans around the world, situated just on the other side of the road from the ground, its top floors allowing for a perfect raised view at all times.
On a few occasions Archbishop Tenison’s (ABTS) has had even closer interactions with games, most memorably in the 2009 ICC World T20, when Chris Gayle and David Warner both landed giant sixes in the playground.
The visit was part of the ongoing close relationship between the Club and the school that, pre Covid-19, included a Toast Club funded by Surrey CCC and the school enjoying regular use of the Ken Barrington Cricket Centre. The ground also hosted a day long session for ABTS staff recently and will be the site of a three day end of season pupil conference next week.
