Sports

After a quiet weekend in terms of international rugby, this week excitement is building again as we look forward to the next round of the men’s Six Nations Championship. Alumni of British boarding schools feature strongly in the home nations’ teams, so what better time to feature the sport?

Hockey is the main sport during this spring term at many British boarding schools, with high levels of competition across the age ranges and in all parts of the country.

For example, Aldenham School has recently been celebrating the success of its girls’ hockey teams at U14 and U15 level, both having been crowned district champions after winning a competitive tournament against other schools from the local area.

All the British boarding schools we recommend have some enviable facilities and we often receive news of further developments. One such update came from Giggleswick School recently, when Olympic medallist triathlete Jonny Brownlee opened its new state of the art fitness centre.

Occupying a purpose-built extension to the school’s sports complex, the suite features the latest in weights, strength and conditioning training equipment, as well as top-end treadmills, cycle trainers, rowing machines and other cardio-vascular training aids.

Culford School has recently announced a new Football Academy, which promises to combine a first-class education with a passion for football. Hoping to emulate the success of this English boarding school’s existing tennis and golf academies, this new initiative will be delivered in partnership with Ipswich Town Football Club, with academy pupils receiving individual development plans designed by the Director of Football, Alan Lee, a UEFA ‘A’ and FA Advanced Youth Licensed coach.

Recently we’ve had exciting news from Ackworth School, which from September 2018 will be offering a two-year, elite football development programme for boys and girls in its 6^th form.

King William’s College is teaming up with Castletown Golf Links to launch a Golf Academy with two programmes, as well as Golf Scholarships for pupils entering the school in Year 7 or Year 12.

Renovation work of existing buildings at Hoe Court Farm has recently been completed to create the Lancing College Equestrian Centre.

The Royal Hospital School has recently been successful in its application to deliver the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS). This UK-wide scheme provides the structure and motivation for new climbers to develop their climbing skills, to gain the most out of the sport, as well as having their achievements recognised with five levels of award.

Shortly before the end of last term, three of Woodbridge School’s four cross country teams competed in the ESAA XC National Cup, a competition for day and boarding schools in England. Having already done well in the area and regional rounds to get the Nationals, the runners could be fairly confident, although they were all, understandably, rather nervous at the start.

The hazy, lazy days of summer, with their soundtrack of the thwack of leather on willow, still seem a long way off. However, The Royal Hospital School is already looking beyond this summer’s cricket season, recently announcing the launch of the Graham Napier Cricket Academy in September 2016.