Felsted School has opened its new athletic development centre at the school’s 90-acre campus in North Essex.
One of the guests at the opening was Old Felstedian Poppy Tydeman, who recently represented Wales in netball at the Commonwealth Games.
Poppy, who joined Felsted in Year 1 and finished as Head Girl, inspired current pupils with memories from her first team call-up in Year 9 to playing at an international level.
She spoke passionately about the importance of maintaining good fitness and how vital it was for aspiring athletes to have a space like Felsted’s new centre in which to train, build up strength and avoid injury.
Poppy said: “Looking at what’s been created is amazing, from the facilities for functional fitness to cardio and strength training, it’s going to be so amazing for all of Felsted’s aspiring athletes to get stuck in from an earlier age.
“When I was younger I was so unaware of how physically demanding sport becomes the higher up you go, and everything from maintaining fitness for a full game, to injury prevention and injury rehab all stem from work in a centre like this.”
Having made her senior debut for the Welsh Feathers in 2024, Poppy then excelled in Team Bath Netball’s NXT Gen programme and was voted Fans’ Player of the Season in 2026.
She graduated from the University of Bath with a First-Class degree in Health and Exercise Science.
Lara Péchard, Head at Felsted, said: “Since joining Felsted in September, I have been struck by how deeply sport is woven into the fabric of the school’s character.
“From the founding of the Old Felstedian Football Club in 1893 to the enduring traditions of cricket on The Front, sport has brought generations of Felstedians together and provided opportunities for talented young athletes to flourish.
“We are delighted to add this new Athletic Development Centre to our facilities, further strengthening the opportunities available to current and future generations.”
The Centre has been made possible through the generous legacy gift of Old Felstedian Michael Dines (1934-2024). Michael arrived at Felsted in 1948, taking part in athletics and representing his House in running competitions, while also serving as a Lance-Corporal in the Combined Cadet Force.
Following National Service with the Royal Corps of Signals, he pursued a lifelong interest in amateur theatre as a playwright, remaining closely connected to the Old Felstedian community.
Felsted School is a co-ed independent boarding and day school for ages three to 18.