Refreshing Tennis Courts with Bespoke Branding
In summer 2025, St John’s School in Leatherhead began a full refresh of its tennis courts as part of a wider effort to modernise its sports facilities. The school wanted a cleaner, more contemporary look that showcased its heritage while elevating the experience for students, visiting teams and prospective families. Sunbaba was approached to help define and deliver a complete visual update that balanced tradition, clarity, and impact.
Phase One: Bespoke Windbreaks
Delivered in mid-August 2025, the first phase focused on replacing the existing windbreaks with a fully custom set. The school required a tailored solution that not only improved performance on court but also strengthened the identity and professionalism of the space.
Sunbaba produced eighteen custom windbreaks in different sizes, each printed on dark green 203UV mesh with crisp white branding. The designs incorporated a combination of the school’s name, crest, and Eagles sports identity. The aim was to produce a consistent look across all courts while respecting the proportions and sightlines unique to each panel.
A key part of the project involved working closely with the school to determine the best distribution of branding across the courts. With several strong graphic elements available, the challenge was deciding how to balance heritage elements with modern sports branding. Through collaborative design reviews, Sunbaba helped the school settle on a layout that felt cohesive, legible, and high-impact without feeling repetitive.
Once printed and installed, the transformation was immediate. The refreshed courts had a sharper, more professional presence, and the school’s facilities and marketing teams were delighted with the result.
Phase Two: Upgrading the Dugouts
The success of the windbreak project led directly to a second commission; updating the branding on the court dugouts so that they matched the new standard set by the windbreaks. This phase was delivered in mid-October 2025.
For this, Sunbaba used high-tac vinyl with high-resolution print, finished with a protective laminate to ensure durability against weather and regular use. The dugouts are high-touch, high-exposure areas, so material choice and finish was important. The school wanted a long-lasting solution that maintained clarity and colour even with frequent contact.
The new vinyls tied the courtscape together, reinforcing the refreshed identity and giving the area a coherent, premium finish.
Outcome
The school’s response to both phases was very positive. The facilities team were delighted with the result, citing the quality of the print, the consistency of the branding, and the professional installation as standout elements. The courts now feel modern, inviting, and representative of the school’s ambition and sporting culture.
Working with St John’s School highlighted what Sunbaba does best, thoughtful design collaboration, dependable production quality, and delivery that builds trust and leads naturally to long-term partnerships.
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