Boys’ Sports

Sedbergh Senior School - Boys Sport

Sport fills a prominent role in the life of all the boys at the Prep School and as such they are given the opportunity to excel in a variety of sports. Alongside this we firmly believe that sport should be available to all our boys and therefore they can participate in a range of activities at a level that suits their needs and ability. Sedbergh provides boys with the opportunity to take part in a structured games programme on five days during the week. This programme includes regular fixtures which are organised for Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, as well as a programme of activities for those not involved in school fixtures. Boys also have structured PE lessons timetabled weekly throughout the year, where they curriculum rotates between swimming, running, athletics and tennis. During reception and Years 1 & 2 they also participate in games for understanding as well as learning the basic body movements needed to continue within sports.

In the Michaelmas Term the main team sport is rugby, however, other sports include hockey, swimming, sailing, fives, shooting and running. The School rugby club is among the strongest in the country and many players from the Prep School have gone on to play at 1st XV, County and International level on their move to the Senior School. While rugby is the main focus throughout the term in the Prep School we recognise that not all boys are suited to the sport and we therefore provide opportunities for boys to pursue the alternative activities mentioned above. 
 
In the Lent Term, the main boys' sports are hockey, rugby sevens and cross-country running although there is still the opportunity to participate in fives, shooting and swimming. Some of the boys' teams also have the opportunity to travel to Edinburgh every year to compete in the IAPS Hockey at U11 and U13 level. The highlight of this term is competing in the world’s largest rugby tournament, the ‘National Schools Sevens’ at Rosslyn Park which the school won in 2005.

In the Summer Term the main boys' team sport is cricket and we aim to give as many boys as possible the chance to represent the school by fielding teams to suit all ability levels. However, there is also swimming, athletics and tennis throughout the Summer Term. There is currently a programme in place for elite cricketers under the tutelage of cricket professional Martin Speight and many of our boys have played at County level. This programme is an all year development programme and includes the use of video analysis. The strength of our cricket is growing culminating in appearances in County and National finals.  

Tennis

Tennis lessons continue to be incredibly popular with lessons delivered by Cumbria County Boys Coach Jon Griffin and his coaching team to pupils from Reception to Year 8. Lessons are available all year round and at present 61 pupils are undertaking weekly group lessons and 30 private lessons are also undertaken each week. The overall standard is certainly improving with all four courts full during during break, lunch and evenings during the summer term. Both boys and girls fixtures are also played in the summer.