University Of Brighton To Open UK’s Largest Indoor Cricket Academy

The University of Brighton has announced the creation of the UK’s largest indoor cricket academy at its redeveloped Falmer campus, giving aspiring cricketers the opportunity to develop their sporting talents while studying for a university degree. 

Brighton Cricket Academy is a groundbreaking partnership between the University of Brighton and Square One Education Ltd which will offer top-tier professional coaching and cutting-edge facilities from September 2025.  

Based at the university’s new Brighton Sport & Health Complex, Brighton Cricket Academy will be the second largest indoor cricket facility in the world, providing a world-class training environment catering to student cricketers of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and abilities.

The academy programme will support players in fulfilling their potential both on the field and in their academic studies. 

Brighton Cricket Academy will be open to all University of Brighton students at foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, catering to aspiring professional cricketers and those with a passion for the game. Academy players will benefit from a holistic programme tailored to their individual needs with access to a wide range of coaching expertise and professional standard facilities including: 

• Nine-lane indoor cricket nets with full 21-metre run ups

• Ball tracking technology 

• Advanced bowling machines (Merlyn, self-feeding, fielding, and keeping) 

• Two indoor cricket courts 

• Grass practice wickets 

At approximately 2,200 square metres, Brighton Cricket Academy will be larger than both Lord’s Indoor Cricket Centre and the National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough University.

Professor Donna Whitehead, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton, said:

“This groundbreaking partnership with Square One Education will see us create the UK’s largest indoor cricket academy at the University of Brighton.

"Together, we will support aspiring cricketers to develop their sporting talents while studying for a university degree, ensuring they are set for success whichever path they choose.

“Brighton Cricket Academy is a significant addition to the amazing facilities at our redeveloped Falmer campus and will help us further deliver on our ambition to be a leading provider for sports education for students from across the UK and around the world.” 

Square One Education Ltd is a company jointly owned by Rob Ferley, the Head of Cricket Performance at Bradfield College and former professional cricketer who played for Kent CCC and Nottinghamshire CCC along with Sir Rod Aldridge, the Patron of Aldridge Education and President of Sussex Cricket. 

The company will provide a team of highly qualified and experienced coaches and will manage the academy on a day-to-day basis.

As part of the arrangement, Brighton Cricket Academy will also be open to local clubs and schools for coaching purposes.

The University of Brighton’s Falmer campus is home to its School of Education, Sport and Health Science and recently underwent significant refurbishment and expansion.

This has seen the creation of world-class facilities to support teaching, learning and research alongside new sport and leisure facilities for students, staff and the local community. 

University of Brighton students joining Brighton Cricket Academy will have access to state-of-the-art sports science facilities at Falmer campus, while students studying sports science courses will have the opportunity to work with Brighton Cricket Academy players through their professional placement, enabling them to apply their practical academic learning through this exciting partnership. 

Open days are taking place at Falmer campus on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June. Find out more and book your place.