Heritage Quay spotlights hidden history of rounders in new documentary
Heritage Quay at the University of Huddersfield is hosting a special screening of a new documentary from the makers of the acclaimed Welcome To Wrexham series that throws a spotlight on the hidden history of rounders in the UK.
Rounders: Britain’s Best Kept Sporting Secret will be shown on Thursday 22nd May 2025 at Heritage Quay on the University of Huddersfield’s Queensgate Campus. It marks the culmination Rounders England's Rounders: Reconnected: Celebrating 80 Years of Inclusive Heritage, a year-long project made possible by a £100,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to the support of National Lottery players. The initiative set out to explore, preserve, and celebrate the rich and inclusive legacy of rounders in England - a sport beloved by generations.
Leeds-based production company and post production facility Sticks & Glass, known for their work on the Welcome to Wrexham series, is the creative studio behind the documentary, which captures never-before-seen stories, untold memories, and the enduring community spirit surrounding the game.
Dr Rebecca Bowd, University Archivist at Heritage Quay, said, "Heritage Quay is honoured to be the custodian of the archive, and by extension the history of the sport. Working with the Rounders England team to catalogue and preserve the collection was a real pleasure and we can't wait to welcome people to our research room to explore the rich history for themselves.
"The Rounders England Archive joins the Rugby Football League, England Netball, World Netball and the Women in Rugby League collections to make us an important destination for anyone interested in the history of British sport."
Adam Bennett, Director of Sticks & Glass remarked: “Sticks & Glass are so excited to help Rounders England produce this documentary to bring the wonderful sport of Rounders to a new audience. We are passionate about working in sports who care about accessibility and inclusivity and Rounders is such an amazing gateway into team sports and all the benefits it can bring.”
Discover more on the Rounders England YouTube channel
Attendees will be treated to more than just the premiere. The evening also includes an exhibition of artifacts, vintage publications, and memorabilia uncovered during the project. The event will conclude with a live panel discussion featuring voices from across the rounders community.
Natalie Justice-Dearn, CEO of Rounders England, commented, “This documentary is more than just a film – it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and passion. Rounders has long been a part of England’s national sporting identity, and with this project, we’ve brought to light stories that deserve to be heard and shared. We’re incredibly proud to share this with the public and to honour the people who have kept rounders alive across generations.”