Transforming Sports Facility Management: Horndean Technology College’s Journey with Pitchbooking
Horndean Technology College is a thriving educational institution that takes pride in its top-tier sports facilities. These facilities are not only used by pupils but are also available to the wider community. At the heart of this operation is the dedicated Sports Facilities and Sports Bookings Manager, Stuart Martin, who ensures everything runs smoothly—from maintenance and facility upkeep to community bookings, funding applications, and daily operations at the on-site Sports Café.
Horndean boasts an impressive lineup of sports facilities, including:
- A full-size 11v11 4G all-weather Astro Football Pitch, complete with 9v9, 7v7, and 5v5 configurations
- Multiple grass football pitches (11v11, 9v9, and 7v7)
- Seasonal athletics track and field
- Newly developed tennis courts (floodlit and non-floodlit)
- A multi-use Sports Hall and Gymnasium for activities like netball, volleyball, basketball, karate, taekwondo, and fitness classes
- Classroom spaces and a Barista Sports Café open on weekends
- Plans for a new food and drink unit in partnership with the Football Foundation and Hampshire FA
The Challenges Before Pitchbooking
Before integrating Pitchbooking, Horndean faced the usual administrative hurdles:
“We were drowning in paperwork—manually raising invoices, managing diaries for our site team, and constantly fielding phone calls. It was a challenge to keep track of everything, let alone optimise our booking slots.”
Partnering with Pitchbooking brought immediate improvements:
“Now, the only paperwork we deal with is sending out annual Membership Forms, which are even hosted on the Pitchbooking system. Our site team can access an up-to-date digital calendar from anywhere, and cancellations or new bookings are reflected instantly.”
Payments have also become far more streamlined, with options for online payments via card or BACS, while still supporting in-person cash payments for those who prefer them.
The impact of Pitchbooking has been substantial for Horndean. Here are three standout benefits:
Efficiency – Invoicing that once took hours now takes just minutes.
Flexibility– Bookings can be managed remotely at any time, providing a seamless experience for both staff and hirers.
Stronger Community Ties– The system has helped foster closer relationships with community sports groups by simplifying the transition and making booking more accessible.
“Pitchbooking has made us more organised and significantly increased our bookings—especially for facilities like our 4G Astro, which used to see low demand outside of football season. Thanks to online visibility and our social media outreach, we’re now seeing steady usage all year round.”
Would Horndean recommend Pitchbooking to others?
“Absolutely. I would recommend Pitchbooking to any sports community club or educational institution. It has saved us hours of admin time and allowed colleagues to focus on other key areas. From the first conversation with Lyndon to ongoing support from Kate, the service has been excellent. Our account manager has provided invaluable guidance and always goes the extra mile to support us.”
Conclusion
Horndean Technology College’s partnership with Pitchbooking highlights how the right digital platform can revolutionise the way sports facilities are managed. We can help create more opportunities for community engagement, boosting revenue, and building a more connected and efficient sports environment locally.