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ISS SPRING ISSUE w: ie-today.co.uk t: @ISS_magazine
Celebrating sporting achievement and innovation within independent schools
GOING FOR GOLD Independent schools reveal their sporting ambitions for 2018 PERFORMANCE SPORTSWEAR, DELIVERED BY SCHOOLBLAZER
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t’s 2018 and independent schools ISS are ready to get back onto the sports eld and embrace a new year Managing Editor of tournaments. In this issue, six Rebecca Paddick | [email protected] Iindependent schools reveal their sporting plans for 2018 on page 9 and it includes Editor opening new sports facilities, embracing Lucinda Reid | [email protected] alternative sports and focusing on pupils’ the full story on pages 17–19. Publisher wellbeing. The start of a new year is always Finally, Sally Jones investigates the Dougal Templeton | [email protected] exciting and I look forward to seeing these growing trend of girls playing historically plans become a reality. male-dominated sports like real tennis, Contributors In this issue, we also have a tennis special. rackets and ves on page 14, which is Victoria Burford, Kevin Avison, Steve Wright, Sally I recently interviewed Andrew Castle and eye-opening. Jones, Gareth Jones, Dr Julian O’Loughlin and Annabel Cro about their experience at I have a feeling it’s going to be an Neil Rollings independent school and how it impacted unforgettable sporting year! their professional tennis careers. Both spoke Senior Designer candidly about their experiences and it was Jenny Sims | [email protected] Lucinda Reid inspiring to hear their career journey. Read Editor Designers Kirsty Dearman and Andy Ounsted For more news and views in independent schools, Account Director visit: www.ie-today.co.uk Joseph Lawson-West | [email protected] Twitter @ISS_magazine
Key Account Director Fiona Cowan | [email protected]
TO SUBSCRIBE Contents: Tel: 0117 300 5526 Email: [email protected] FEATURES WILDFIRE COMMS LIMITED Unit 2.4 Paintworks, Arnos Vale, Bristol BS4 3EH 07 Importance of child's play Tel: 0117 300 5526 Kevin Avison at Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship on
www.wildfirecomms.co.uk why schools should always make time for play 09
Note: Copyright – all articles and features including illustrations and photos may not be reproduced, reprinted or posted on the Internet, in part or whole without 09 All to play for REGULARS the express permission of Wildfire Comms Ltd. Steve Wright quizzes six independent schools on their Disclaimer: The legal responsibilities for all images or copy supplied to Independent School Sport by third parties remain that of the third-party supplier. sporting plans for 2018 04 News The magazine cannot be held responsible for copyright – or similar – infringements that may arise as a result of images or copy sent in by contributors outside of Individual and team sporting achievements Wildfire Comms Ltd. The obligation to check for such issues is the duty of the party who supplied the images or copy. Content supplied for print may also be used online, 14 This girl can from across the country and vice versa, unless otherwise requested. Sally Jones on the rise of rackets, ves and real tennis Cover Image: Loughborough High School 17 Famous alumni 28 Dive in Tennis legends Andrew Castle and Annabel Cro Wildfire Comms is an independent publisher, specialising in the education sector. Some of our other titles include: Wellington College on how education reaches new depths discuss their independent school experience 21 Comment University Business UB Gareth Jones, Headmaster at St Andrew’s Prep universitybusiness.co.uk discusses how sport can impact all areas of school life Education Technology ET edtechnology.co.uk 27 Sports facilities Cheltenham Ladies’ College reveals their new health Independent Education Today and tness centre IE ie-today.co.uk 30 Last word 17 Printed in the UK on paper from a sustainable source. © 2016 Neil Rollings on the future of independent school sport
@ISS_magazine | ie-today.co.uk | 03 SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT
Dragon School raises £, for rhinos with epic swim
Successful county cricket selections for Taunton pupils
Twenty Taunton School pupils have been selected for county and district cricket training squads this winter a er being successful at trials. During the October half-term, Somerset County Cricket Club held cricket trials for the under 10s up to 17s squads. Twelve Taunton School players made it through to the Somerset county winter training squads, which also include players undertaking specialist skill programmes in bowling and wicketkeeping. The players chosen were Cameron Harding, Tom Walsh, Oscar Samuel, Henry Weatherill, Ben Cha ey and Harrison Barrett in the Senior School, as well as Prep School players Alex Cha ey, Findlay Robertson, Kian Roberts, Cole Willoughby, Thomas Ford and Oscar Coleman. ear 6 at Dragon School, Oxford, Oxford, showing the children dramatic images Six further players were chosen for the achieved something extraordinary in of how the charity airli rhinos from areas of district squad: Ollie Edwards, Seb Malley, November. In one hour they swam poaching in South Africa to protected areas in Bryce Bedding eld, Oliver Mellenchip, the length of the English Channel – Botswana. To raise awareness and money for Isaac Finch and Brogan Flitton. Y1,416 lengths of the pool – to raise funds to airli the charity, Year 6 pupils completed an epic In addition to these Somerset players, rhinos to safety. sponsored swim. Adam Small and James Doble have been In October, David Murray of ‘Rhinos The Dragon event was started by Bill selected for Devon winter training squads. Without Borders’ visited Dragon School, Cadogan, Chairman of the Africa Foundation Director of Cricket, Pete Sanderson, said, “It was very pleasurable seeing the attitude and skill level of our players when I visited the trials at the County GGround and I am delighted we are Young Sports Personality of the Year building up our county representation.” announced at Brentwood awards rentwood School fencer youngest winners of the Young Sports Madeleine Gale is one of the Personality gong, she was also the only female youngest ever winners of the winner in any category on the night. Young Sports Personality of Mayor of Brentwood Councillor Will Bthe Year trophy – part of the prestigious Russell said, “The Active Brentwood Sports Brentwood Sports and Health Awards. and Health Awards give us the opportunity Madeleine, 14, was shortlisted in the to recognise our sporting heroes as well as the category which recognises an athlete who coaches, volunteers, clubs and organisations “has made a signi cant impact over the last who make the sporting activities happen. We year at a regional, national or international are fortunate in Brentwood to have a wealth level either individually or as part of a team.” of sporting talent that it was an honour to Not only was Madeleine one of the celebrate at the awards ceremony.”
04 | ie-today.co.uk | @ISS_magazine SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT NEWS SCHOOL SPORT
Karate stars get set for contest in Japan our Burgess Hill Girls students have been praised for their ‘discipline, dedication and courage’ a er being selected to represent Ftheir country in an international karate competition which is held only once every ve years in Japan. The West Sussex girls who were selected for the Renshinkan Karate Great Britain squad at the International Renshinkan Tournament in 2019 are twins Chloe and e t to right: annah ove oy lara Sheona Gibb, 10 and Clara Smith, 11, along ith heona i hloe i with 14-year-old Hannah Lovejoy. Julia Turley, Chief Instructor at Karate into our team, and the school has been so School Renkinshan England, said, “I am supportive of my e orts. I am so excited to thrilled that Burgess Hill Girls has produced see, at long last, young women who have four such ne athletes who are wonderful the discipline, dedication and courage to team members. It has been a personal put themselves forward for this tremendous ambition of mine to encourage more girls challenge.”
Dauntsey’s hosts primary schools’ mini-hockey festival auntsey’s has recently hosted the Dauntsey Academy Primary School (DAPS) primary schools’ mini-hockey won the B division, with Wansdyke being the festival. This is the culmination overall winners. Mark Lascelles, Headmaster of its ‘Sports Outreach at Dauntsey’s, presented the winning team DProgramme’ which involves Dauntsey’s members with the Sports Outreach Trophy. sports sta travelling to primary schools in Marcus Olsen, Director of Sport, the community, providing regular coaching Dauntsey’s, said: “This event is always a sessions to more than 300 children. The mini- great conclusion to the hockey outreach hockey festival enabled more than 150 primary programme and it was especially pleasing which supports Rhinos Without Borders. He school pupils to show o their newly learned to see Wansdyke record their rst success. congratulated the children on the event, which skills in an atmosphere of friendly rivalry. St. Josephs enjoyed one of their best has already raised £3,000. Some 17 teams played in an A and B division, tournaments and came very close to From children swimming with oats to squad with more than 100 goals being scored. winning the trophy. It’s very rewarding members achieving over 20 lengths each, all Congratulations to Wansdyke School to see the coaching programme develop of the children showed great courage and were which won the A division in a close game. such progress with these young players.” deeply committed to raising funds and awareness for rhinos.
a eleine ale one o the yo ngest winners
@ISS_magazine | ie-today.co.uk | 05 COMMENT MARATHON OF AFGHANISTAN
FREE TO RUN
Victoria Burford, an Eastbourne College girls’ boarding housemistress, recounts her experience at the Marathon of Afghanistan
nother marathon in Afghanistan? You’re going which is a Hazara stronghold in the North of Afghanistan A back? You must be mad!” was the usual reaction at an altitude of 2,500m. With a Buddhist past, its cli s from my friends and colleagues when I are dotted with ancient sacri cial caves, some of which mentioned my plans to return to Afghanistan in now house refugees. One of these caves is also a school, November 2017. Having raced the previous year and and it was wonderful to return there and teach a lesson. surprised myself by winning the female title, I couldn’t The morning of the races a orded a real sense of wait to return, although to travel to Afghanistan is never camaraderie with 300 competitors lined up to race. without risks. Indeed, as I landed in a misty Kabul from It was one of the fastest starts ever with adrenalin Gatwick and heard of a fatal attack that same day on a and inexperience playing no small part. A er about Shia mosque, it was with both nerves and excitement that a kilometre the dirt track became a fully tarmacked “I have enjoyed I passed through the many checkpoints at immigration. road, and I managed to settle into a pace. running since a However, as dawn set on a troubled Kabul and we As I ran down the hill towards the nish line, young adult, and I watched groups of innocent children playing with kites it became apparent that I was the rst female, but find that long- on a hilly outcrop, I knew that my decision to return knowing how dicult the last few miles of a marathon distance running was right. can be, I could a ord to take nothing for granted. can be a great I have enjoyed running since a young adult, and I It was not until I crossed the nish line and had way of alleviating nd that long-distance running can be a great way the position con rmed that I could really relax! the demands of of alleviating the demands of the job. Many of my Back in the UK where I am free to wear what I want, the job” best House initiatives have been born on the South do what I want, run where I want, Afghanistan feels Downs, although woe betide the girl (or parent) miles away. Without a doubt, Afghanistan is a country who comes between me and my post-run refuel! which challenges the senses – so o en associated with The Marathon of Afghanistan and the associated 10k war, bombings and violence, but it is also a country of is the only sporting event in Afghanistan where girls love, compassion, friendship and some of the warmest and boys can take part together, and is organised with hospitality I have ever encountered. Like running itself, a charity called Free to Run which is an inspirational it is a country where a range of emotions inextricably organisation which works with women and girls connect and the ne line between joy and pain, wealth in con ict areas to give them con dence, equality and poverty, laughing and crying can change in the blink and education through exercise. The entry fees paid of an eyelid. Like running, Afghanistan is a country by the international runners enable both the local which gets under your skin and challenges a return. And Afghans to take part for free, and for a small group of you may even nd yourself a champion! ISS girls from Free to Run to participate and take part in a training schedule in the months leading up to the Victoria completed the marathon in marathon. We spent a day hiking with some of these an impressive 4 hours and 25 minutes, girls, and it was humbling to hear some of their stories the fastest women’s time in the – before Free to Run, these girls would risk stoning, Marathon of Afghanistan. insults and death threats if they ran on the streets. The marathon took place in the town of Bamiyan W: eastbourne-college.co.uk
06 | ie-today.co.uk | @ISS_magazine COMMENT GAMES
The importance of child’s play Kevin Avison, Executive Ocer at Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship, explains why schools should always make time to play
O : teiner Waldorf education joy from being active. Without fact his parents looked a er people evin vison S takes child’s play this, it is hardly surprising that with additional needs on their seriously. Informal we face an epidemic of obesity bio-dynamic farm. Wawrinka games, which can be used to and young people who expect came to understand the nature support the learning of formal that lessons should be another of the challenge by interacting academic skills, enable children form of passive entertainment. with people with unusual physical and young people to learn through A foundation in ‘games’, played or mental characteristics. He their developing bodies. with their peers from a wide mix attended the Steiner Waldorf Contemporary neuro-science of abilities, irrespective of gender, school in Crissier until leaving indicates that sports and play prepares the way for more formal to go to Spain to concentrate helps to ensure deep connections skills in sport during teenage years. full-time on tennis, aged 15. are made between skills and Mixed-gender sports have The example of Wawrinka learning, aiding memory and their place as the teenage years’ should not, however, obscure “The rich facilitating the ability to become progress and young people the fact that professional sport culture that was creative life-long learners. become more di erentiated. is a relatively rare vocation. It once found in Steiner Waldorf are, in Nonetheless, even at this stage, cannot be the purpose of general playgrounds across principle, all-age schools, from co-operative games and learning schooling to cater speci cally for the country has early years to young adulthood, so playfully continues to have a role. sporting prodigies, but to support declined” during a child’s school life, the role As we can see only too the acquisition of competence, of ‘games’ develops and changes. clearly from the biographies of self-knowledge, a sense of purpose Unfortunately, many children sports stars, it comes at a huge and a can-do attitude for all pupils. today do not know how to play price. The most successful in Alongside that, what schools and the rich culture that was once professional sport are generally can do is provide experiences found in playgrounds across the those who have had opportunity across a range of disciplines, country has declined. Meanwhile, to develop broader human promoting understanding and more passive ‘play’ mediated by skills, and are blessed with the acceptance of the capabilities of electronic devices has soared. capacity of character to balance others. That starts with giving Children who can truly play – the pressures they face. time and opportunity for what who love singing, clapping rhymes, Little wonder then that Swiss has been called, “the serious and can skip, chase and catch tennis ace Stan Wawrinka has work of childhood” – play. ISS – are all learning valuable social said that, aside from his specialist skills as well as co-ordination and training, he owes his success to the W: steinerwaldorf.org
@ISS_magazine | ie-today.co.uk | 07 Setting the standard in school gym solutions
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Werksan AP Power Series AP Functional Series AP Flooring Series SPECIAL REPORT playAll to Steve Wright quizzes six independent for schools on their sporting plans and aspirations for 2018
@ISS_magazine | www. ie-today.co.uk | 09 SPECIAL REPORT
Who's who... What will be 2018’s landmark sporting events at your school?
AB: The rugby sevens season is always an exciting time, with our U13, U16 and rst VII teams competing on the circuit culminating in the National School Sevens in Rosslyn Park. Our own U16 sevens, with 20 schools competing for silverware, and the Rydal Penrhos Tournament for Allen Boyd (AB) Bridget Blackwood (BB) Director of Sport, Acting Director of Sport, U12 and U14 hockey and U13 and U15 Rydal Penrhos School Woldingham School; former netball, are always key events. Fielding member, New Zealand Hockey all-girl cricket teams for the rst time will also be a big step forward.
LT: One of the biggest events will be organising and hosting the Girls’ Schools Association gymnastics competition in March. That month also sees us at the National Schools Lacrosse Championships, the ISGA 5-Piece Premier National Gwen Byrom (GB) Laura Turner (LT) Championships and the British Schools’ Head, Loughborough Director of Sport and PE, Modern Biathlon Championships, as High School St Helen and St Katharine well as the regional and national netball nals in January and March. We nish o the year at the British Indoor Rowing Championships in December. A busy, and (we hope) a successful year!
AR: We’re aiming to eld our rst senior girls’ cricket team this year. 2018 will also see the introduction of a new Long- Andrew Rowley (AR) James Clark (JC) Term Athlete Development programme Director of Sport, Director of Sport, for our elite performers, o ering access to Glenalmond College The Leys School, Cambridge bespoke training through school, regional
10 | ie-today.co.uk | @ISS_magazine What are your aspirations for the year?
AB: Simply to do better this year than last year, at all levels of ability. We are a small school and we punch well above our weight in most areas.
BB: We have high hopes for several ambitious young athletes representing Great Britain – currently in cross country, lacrosse and skiing. We are also looking to stretch and develop our 1st XI hockey and 1st VII netball teams to perform consistently well in Surrey tournaments.
GB: Sport is for everyone, and this is certainly the ethos at Loughborough Images © Ashley Coombes High School. All students are expected to OPPO T : lenal on r g y maintain their sporting activity until they training on the new Neish’s itch leave at the end of year 13 and we aim to O : wi ing is also en oye put on a wide range of tness activities at lenal on ollege which will appeal to both our youngest T: owing co etitions will e girls in year 7 as well as the young women taking lace at The eys in taking their A-levels. There are clear links O : lenal on wants to o er between physical activity and good mental ils the est o ort nities to health, so the work of our PE department lay s ort and our new sports build are fundamental to our wider wellbeing programme.
LT: We are really excited about our new and national representative sport. LT: Our brand-new sports centre only Head of Athletic Development and Given our location in the Highlands, opened one year ago, so we will be Health role. This role will not only help skiing is big at Glenalmond and we have focusing on developing the use of the to develop the sports scholarship and two girls’ and one boys’ teams at January’s new tness suite at its heart. We also talented athlete programmes, but will British Schools Championships. Elsewhere, have big plans to develop our rowing also further our goal of creating a tness on the banks of the Almond River, the programme. We are buying a school culture more generally within the school. school has seen a resurgence in interest in y boat and will be putting together a shing, which we hope to develop in 2018. ve-year plan to promote rowing AR: We want to o er our pupils the prowess at St Helen and St Katharine. best opportunities to play sport, both JC: Alongside an extensive xture competitively and for recreation. Energy, programme, we will be looking forward AR: Last year saw the £250,000 decision-making, emotions, teamwork, to the NatWest Cup and Rosslyn Park refurbishment of Neish’s, our 1st XV responsibility, commitment, and enthusiasm Sevens in rugby; county, regional and rugby and 1st XI lacrosse pitch – and are all part of our lives and sport is one of potentially national competitions in 2018 will see completion of our state- the best ways to learn these life lessons – hockey; the National T20, Lord Taverners of-the-art pitchside facilities. This and, most importantly, have fun too. and Lady Taverners Cups in cricket; environmentally sound structure, ISTA Championships and Aegon Cups in created from an historic cottage, Tennis; numerous rowing competitions will be totally o -grid, powered culminating in the Schools’ Head by solar panels and incorporating Race at Putney; and many more. other ‘green’ technology.
Do you have any new facilities JC: Additions include six fully enclosed opening this year? synthetic surface cricket nets, allowing more of our cricketers to enjoy both GB: We are breaking ground this year on a net and square practice using the new facility for girls’ sport at Loughborough highest-quality nets; major renovations Endowed Schools. This will provide us with to our Athletic Development Suite; space for indoor netball and other court and a newly-built, design-award- sports, a new dance studio, tness suite and winning boathouse shared with King’s, teaching rooms for A-level and GCSE PE. Churchill and Selwyn Colleges.
There are clear links between physical activity and good mental health
@ISS_magazine | ie-today.co.uk | 11 SPECIAL REPORT
T: Olivia oster ol ingha chool O : ockey at an training at y al Penrhos
Tell us about any sporting trips How do you measure sporting of a sports science department for us. planned, and their hoped-for success at your school? What mix The technology in this area is rapidly outcomes. of excellence and participation changing, and some of the new equipment do you aim for? is bene cial and some less so. AB: Trips planned include Japan (senior rugby), Scotland (golf) plus sailing, AB: It is only measured through LT: It is fantastic to see how much women’s hockey and cricket trips all in the pipeline. participation and enjoyment levels. sport has become more mainstream, Outcomes are based around the cultural Winning is much further down the especially big-ticket team sports like experiences: broadening horizons, showing list, so much so that o en scores cricket. We are now beginning to see pupils the importance of sport in providing are not collated, win or lose. that re ected in schools, and our plans opportunities, creating memorable for next summer include working experiences and developing skills. BB: Enjoyment and involvement are huge on our own cricket programme. measures of sporting success. We are ercely BB: Every year we take the senior hockey proud that our pupils have a broad, o en AR: Coaching style is one of the fastest- and netball teams on a tour. In October eclectic range of sporting interests. Each changing areas at Glenalmond. Coaches 2018 we will be taking 35 Year 10 and of our girls is fully supported, whatever need to let players get on and make the Year 11 students to South Africa. their chosen eld, because we value decisions themselves: a coach bellowing the commitment, resilience and sheer instructions from the sidelines should be GB: Our next big sporting event is a tour enjoyment this a ords. An athlete who a thing of the past. O er encouragement to South Africa in summer 2018, where can meet failure with resilience and who and praise, by all means: but players girls will compete against a variety of can balance their academic and sporting themselves should be re ective about teams from di erent schools in netball commitments, is an athlete who can achieve their performances at the end of training and hockey, and also help to run sporting their full potential in every facet of their life. sessions and matches. Our ethos is programmes in some of the townships. now about pupil-driven decision- What do you see as the major making, aimed at developing not just ISS LT: We have a busy spring, kicking o with changes taking place currently the player but the whole person. a ski trip for 50 students to Italy in February, in school sport? followed in April by 38 students taking part W: rydalpenrhos.com in a senior lacrosse trip to Boston and 10 AB: One area of ever-increasing woldinghamschool.co.uk girls travelling to La Manga on a tennis tour. importance for us is athletic development. leshigh.org Some still view this as strength and shsk.org.uk JC: In the forthcoming year or two, we conditioning – but there is so much glenalmondcollege.co.uk have planned a Year 9 rugby tour to Belfast, more to it, and it is becoming more theleys.net a Year 10 girls’ hockey tour to Holland, a senior netball tour to the West Country and a senior boys’ hockey and rugby tour to South Africa. The memories that these Enjoyment and involvement are huge measures trips and tours produce can last a lifetime of sporting success. We are fiercely proud that our and they are, without doubt, one of the major highlights in our sporting calendar. pupils have a broad range of sporting interests
12 | ie-today.co.uk | @ISS_magazine PROMOTION ADVANTAGE MIZUNO Global Japanese sports brand Mizuno reveal the reasons behind their resurgence in rugby and how they can provide head-to-toe kit solutions
GPS tracker, the shaping around the neck. The training and match day kit also brings its own set of challenges. Rugby players are o en bigger and taller than your average man or woman – they o en have longer legs, requiring bespoke training leggings/pants, and broader shoulders, requiring sizes beyond the standard ‘extra- large’. All of this is achievable and available from Mizuno’s teamwear category. That’s the rugby look and feel taken care of from the ankles up, but the other critical element of a rugby player’s kit is footwear. Midway through the 2017/208 Aviva Rugby Premiership and over 30% of all players are wearing Mizuno boots. It’s a welcome ver a century ago a small store How does a player want to feel as they return to form for Mizuno. It’s the brand’s O specialising in imported baseball walk onto the pitch ahead of 80 gruelling, strongest position in the sport since the and golf equipment opened in combative minutes? They want to feel 1980s when their strength of product led Osaka, Japan. Frustrated with the quality of proud. And they want total con dence to partnerships with the mighty All Blacks the imported goods, the store owner that their kit will hold up to the challenge and Harlequins F.C. The success has been Rihachi Mizuno successfully sought out ahead. At Mizuno we believe that uniform driven by the brand’s focus and philosophy local factories who could manufacture to a is critical – look good, feel good. on quality leather boots. Why leather? higher standard – these domestic goods The match day shirt is always the key Because leather is extremely comfortable, were labelled with the family name, giving piece – it needs a perfect anatomical t so malleable and supportive. Hugely important birth to the Mizuno brand. that there are no loose areas to grab hold of. factors in any sport. The argument that Saturday 25th November 2017, Arcul It needs to breathe to withstand the heat and leather is too heavy is no longer relevant de Triumf Stadium, Bucharest – one of the sweat generated during a game. It needs to – Mizuno’s agship shoe, the Morealia less heralded autumn rugby internationals be tough and survive almost an hour and a Neo II weighs in at an incredible 180g. is being played between Romania and half of contact. Other detailing is critical – It’s a welcome antithesis to the stream of Tonga. But for Mizuno this was a proud the comfortable seams, the pocket for the plastic-based footwear products that have moment. Both squads are fully kitted out ooded the market over the last decade. ISS in Mizuno apparel and 85% of all players that have taken to the pitch are wearing To learn more about Mizuno’s range of Mizuno boots. Both nations will wear the footwear visit: mizuno.eu/en/united- kit alongside Namibia at the 2019 Rugby kingdom/sports/rugby/1652-0.html World Cup – making Mizuno the second most-worn brand at the global event. To design your school rugby kit or get Each set of kit has been designed and some help from our design experts visit produced to the highest of standards, with Mizuno’s website. the most intricate attention applied to a nation’s training and match day uniform. W: mizunokitdesigner.com
@ISS_magazine | ie-today.co.uk | 13 SCHOOL LIFE REAL TENNIS, RACKETS AND FIVES
Lea Van Der Zwalmen started playing rackets at Clifton College
ver the past decade, many independent schools once regarded as proud bastions of masculine privilege have introduced female participation in Oseveral of the formerly male-dominated THIS GIRL CAN sports such as real tennis, rackets and ves. In both mixed and girls’ schools too, these Sally Jones investigates the historic pursuits plus so-called ‘boys’ growing trend of girls playing games like cricket, football, rugby and even modern pentathlon are becoming historically male-dominated popular, thanks partly to a handful of sports in independent schools driven, gi ed players and coaches who have helped make the sports ‘cool’ for girls. Take the arcane game of rackets, the
14 | ie-today.co.uk | @ISS_magazine moment we tried them,” said Lauren. “Mr Tulley was incredibly encouraging. We kept badgering people to come and hit with us as both games are hugely challenging and the focus and footwork you need for them boost every sport you play, including golf and hockey.” “Some of the boys from other schools were dubious about playing girls at rst,” added Issie, “But they soon learned we could hold our own – and some got a shock when we beat them!” For BBC cricket commentator and rackets convert, Isabelle Duncan, author of a history of women’s cricket, Skirting the Boundary, moving to the sixth form at Charterhouse in 1990 was a revelation. She discovered a passion for cricket, later becoming an in uential player and coach but also tried rackets at the school’s evening club then took up real tennis at Lord’s on achieving her coveted MCC membership. “As a sporty girl, arriving at Charterhouse was like all my Christmases coming at once,” she recalled.“I loved trying every game going and, of course, I’ve ultimately made my career in cricket. Now I adore playing rackets and real tennis at Queen’s and travelling to “IT WAS CONSIDERED TOO FAST AND DANGEROUS FOR WOMEN TO tournaments in-between commentating duties. The schools like Cli on and PLAY, BUT IN 2010 MALVERN COLLEGE DEFIED THE DOUBTERS AND Wellington plus Noel Brett at Malvern STAGED THE FIRST BRITISH WOMEN’S RACKETS CHALLENGE” are welcoming talented sportswomen into these games, their own pupils and others via ancient forerunner of squash, which and role model to young sportswomen, evening clubs while Mark Briers has some originated in the debtors’ prisons as a won the British doubles title. great teenage prospects at Cheltenham who gambling activity for the gentlemen debtors, “For me rackets is totally addictive and are already threatening the old guard.” (including Charles Dickens’s father.) character-building; you need bravery and As one of the foolhardy souls who One of the world’s fastest ball-games and quick re exes,” said Lea. “Thank goodness played in that inaugural Malvern rackets nicknamed ‘squash on speed’, it is now played it wasn’t boys-only when I arrived at Cli on, challenge a er decades playing real tennis on echoing, high-walled courts in 14 top where I also played real tennis. Both games and squash, I am awe-struck at the standard public schools including Eton, Charterhouse are ultra-traditional with a great atmosphere of the rising stars preparing to dominate the Cheltenham and Wellington, the hard white and a strategic, intellectual dimension: the game, thanks to the independent schools. ball cracking through at ferocious speeds. angles are crucial. Juggling matches and For this close-knit group, whatever our age Until recently it was considered too fast training with my academic work was great for or experience though, the fun, friendships and dangerous for women to play, but in my time management and con dence. Now and life lessons acquired from both these 2010 Malvern College de ed the doubters I’m aiming to win the world championships historic games are more valuable than simply and staged the rst British Women’s Rackets of rackets and real tennis – quite a challenge!” learning a new skill – though nothing beats Challenge, which spurred on some of their Cli on and Wellington are the only the exhilaration of middling a full-blooded own girls to take it up. Other co-ed schools co-ed schools with both a rackets and backhand down the wall for a winner. ISS including Cli on and Cheltenham followed a real tennis court, although numerous and soon a erwards, the National Schools independent schools organise sessions Championships introduced girls’ events, at nearby clubs and in January [2018] unearthing an inspirational new talent. Lea Wellington will host the rst-ever British Van Der Zwalmen, 21, a former French Schoolgirls Real Tennis Championships. junior squash champion rst stepped onto Wellington’s rackets professional Ryan a rackets court aged 16 as a pupil at Cli on Tulley recently took the rst-ever mixed College and was instantly hooked. Soon team on a successful tour of US real tennis she was training obsessively, beating more and rackets courts in Philadelphia, Detroit, experienced boys as well as her schoolgirl Chicago and Tuxedo Park. The side rivals, then in 2015 played the game of included National Under 16 Schoolgirl her life in the inaugural women’s world Rackets Champion, Lauren Gooding, a championship, beating the reigning women’s junior golf international and hockey star world real tennis champion, Claire Fahey, Issie Thorneycro , who have honed their in an explosive thriller. Last year she and games playing school matches against boys Malvern’s multi-talented Director of from schools like Eton and Harrow. Sport, Chey West, an outstanding cricketer “We loved rackets and real tennis the
@ISS_magazine | ie-today.co.uk | 15 PROMOTION
A SMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED FACILITY
Absolute Performance explains how they transformed Ampleforth College’s strength and conditioning outbuilding
THE TASK pre-hab and re-hab. The turf leads neatly on Absolute Performance (AP) were to a 10m sled track, again in AP Evolution given the task of transforming the tired turf. All the time, the unique use of the strength and conditioning outbuilding various zones is easily identi able. into a training facility that Ampleforth The li ing area incorporates six Werksan College could be proud of. Lion t half racks, in Ampleforth colours, As part of a drive to improve overall athletic set over pro led oak platforms, and branded performance and sporting results, Ampleforth Werksan plates. To ensure maximum use College took the step to recruit specialist of space, the 30mm rubber ooring of the Strength and Conditioning Coach Jack Miles li ing area neatly transitions to a sled track. – a new position within the school. Next step – improving the facilities. AP was delighted to THE RESULT What we supplied be appointed by Jack, and Director of Rugby, A small but perfectly formed S&C facility • Branded Werksan Lion t plates Will James, to design and refurbish the – fully branded with Ampleforth colours to • Branded oak li ing platforms outbuildings that held the small S&C facility. provide a look and feel unique to the school. • AP Evolution turf & AP With limited space it was “We are delighted with our new high- heavyweight ooring going to be a big challenge! performance suite, which will enable • Branded Werksan Lion t half racks us to host a programme of morning and THE SOLUTION a er-school strength and conditioning What we did With space at a premium, the key to sessions that form a vital element in • Turned a tired old S&C room into this facility was always going to be enhancing our sporting performance and a blended S&C and functional keeping the di erent ooring solutions developing a lifelong attitude towards training area zoning the areas of the gym, level. health and wellbeing,” said Jack Miles, • Used Ampleforth College A clearly de ned functional training Strength and Conditioning Coach. iSS colours and logo throughout area, laid with AP Evolution turf, now sits • Installed Werksan Lion t alongside the new li ing area, providing W: aperformance.co.uk equipment as well as AP ooring a space for functional activity including ampleforth.org.uk/college
16 | ie-today.co.uk | @ISS_magazine INTERVIEW FAMOUS ALUMNI
two aces It’s not every day you have the opportunity to talk to two tennis legends, but recently editor Lucinda Reid had the pleasure of going down memory lane with Andrew Castle and Annabel Croft. Both are former British number one tennis players who then went on to have successful careers in the media industry. But before tennis glory and being regulars on our television screens, Andrew and Annabel attended independent school. Here, they explain how their school experience impacted their career path…
@ISS_magazine | ie-today.co.uk | 17 INTERVIEW FAMOUS ALUMNI ANDREW CASTLE: “I TOTALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH IT”
After gaining a full tennis scholarship at Millfield School, Andrew Castle talks candidly about falling in love and the Wimbledon moment he’ll never forget
When did you first start playing tennis?
I was eight years old and I became obsessed with tennis from day one. I found a tennis racket under the stairs and I went to the park with a friend of mine, where we played all day. I totally fell in love with it.
Had you always felt this way about tennis? No! I always thought how boring it ANNABEL was! Wimbledon would always be on the television and we wouldn’t watch anything else for two weeks, but it felt more like two years. I would think, “God CROFT: this is boring,” and then, sure enough, it was the sport I fell in love with. “I AM VERY GRATEFUL What led you to Millfield? TO THE SCHOOL FOR I played for two years in my own age group and I didn’t lose once. That was how Mill eld came along. Colin Atkinson, ALLOWING ME TO Headmaster at Mill eld School, was an drills that were really professional and very incredibly important man in my life as he tough. We went on to represent Somerset o ered me a full scholarship. He knew that together, and we are still friends today. PURSUE MY DREAMS” my family had nancial di culty, but I was good at the game, so he o ered me a place. What have been your career Annabel Croft, the former British I remember my mother crying when we highs and lows? number one tennis player who attended found out, it was an incredible moment. West Heath School in Sevenoaks, I played in the Davis Cup for Great discusses school life, what she’s learnt Britain, I played in two Olympic games What was life like at Millfield? as a mother and the tennis stars she’ll and all the grand slam championships. be watching in 2018 Now, this is where I’m going to surprise I travelled the world and played in 50 you as it wasn’t as good as it should have countries. I even met my wife at the Japan been. I was there from 1976–79 and I Open. Do you believe in love in rst wasn’t happy, but I don’t think I would have sight? Well I had that and apparently, she been happy anywhere. My mum and dad did too! We met in a bookshop in Tokyo, divorced when I was 15 and I wasn’t a very so that was de nitely a high. The lows: happy schoolboy. I still thank God that I too many to mention, every sportsperson went there as it was a fantastic opportunity. loses a lot and it is debatable whether you The facilities enabled me to play tennis learn more about yourself when you win and if I hadn’t gone there, how many hours or lose, as both o er di erent challenges. would I have played a week? I don’t know. As you have commentated for What happened after Millfield? 15 Wimbledon finals, do you have a favourite? I le in 1979 and I went back to Huish’s Grammar School, Taunton, where I met Yes! The Federer and Nadal nal in some of the best friends of my life. But I 2008 was the best match I have ever kept going back to Mill eld every Friday seen. It nished at 9.40pm and, in terms night to play tennis with a coach. We did of sport, it was the pinnacle for me.
18 | ie-today.co.uk | @ISS_magazine passion for sport. Everything about that school was really encouraging of sport and the arts. They had a really well-rounded education. Sport in my day was very much girls with their arms folded and hockey sticks under their armpits, saying “We don’t run”. However, having seen my kids go to a sporty school I saw that school sport has changed dramatically. Girls now want to be t and have a completely di erent attitude.
What were your career highs and lows?
I have loved every minute of the ride and tennis has given me so much in my life. I am still as passionate about it today as I was at nine years of age. I have to pinch myself as the job I do now in the media has never felt like work. I always remember what a coach said on our tour, “Do something you love and you’ll never do a day’s work in your life.” I love that.
You have played in all the grand slams – do you have a favourite?
What are your memories of travelling at the weekend for competitions, They are all so di erent. Wimbledon sport at West Heath School? but she was always incredibly helpful. is so incredibly special to anyone that comes from Great Britain as it is one of I have very strong memories of sport at How did your experience at the greatest tournaments in the world. All school actually, as that was all I cared independent school shape what the grand slams have their own unique about as a child. I remember sitting came next in your career? style. The French Open is incredibly in the maths classroom looking out chic, the USA Open is very loud and the window at the hockey pitches and I am very grateful to the school for ash and the Australian Open is very thinking I would much rather be out allowing me to pursue my dreams. The laidback with lots of lovely sunshine. there running around than doing maths! most important thing for any child is that All I wanted was for the bell to go. they come out of school with con dence. Do you have any advice for It didn’t matter that I was useless at maths, future sporting stars? How did you juggle school life as I actually felt good at something else. as a professional tennis player? As a parent, what I have learnt bringing I would say just go out there and enjoy up three children, is that it’s important the journey. You will always learn My school life was very di erent because to encourage them to nd something more from your defeats than your every single day I would train for tennis. that makes them motivated to get out losses. It’s very easy to get negative but I rst started playing when I was nine years of bed and do something. If you look at ultimately, it’s all part of the challenge. old and when I started at West Heath I had the whole education system, there isn’t already won the nationals. I was a day girl enough choice for everybody and that’s What are you looking forward to in a boarding school, which was di cult, sad. How many children aren’t being in the 2018 sporting calendar? and then in the evenings I would go to given choices? I am very grateful I was London for training or train at home. given the chance to follow my dream. In tennis terms, a er what Roger Federer has achieved this year at the age of 36, we How did the school support you? Your children also attended are all fascinated to see whether he can independent school, did you continue like that. Can he win another It was the headmistress, Ruth Rudd, notice that school sport had Wimbledon? It’s exciting to see what he who was unbelievably supportive of my changed? can still do. Andy Murray will also be tennis. That’s one of the reasons why I back on the scene and there are a whole ended up at West Heath. Schoolwork Yes! They all ended up at Wellington host of youngsters coming through. I’m became increasingly di cult as I was o en College and what I loved about it was their looking forward to seeing the young players at the heels of the big sports stars. ISS
“I have loved every minute of the ride and tennis has given For more details about Annabel’s Tennis Academies, home and abroad, me so much in my life. I am still as passionate about it today visit annabelcrofttennis.com or as I was at nine years of age" call 02031708393
@ISS_magazine | ie-today.co.uk | 19 INTERVIEW NFL UK
A whole new ball game Independent school children have a lot to gain from the NFL’s pioneering sports programme
play together,” explained Jason. “We recently had teams from our core programme playing at Twickenham and Wembley and in two of those teams the girls were leading the team.” Even children who might doubt their sporting ability can have a vital role in the team. “If someone isn’t necessarily the most athletic you can learn to coach, you can support the team with game player formation – there’s so many di erent roles on an American football team for people to explore,” continued Jason. NFL UK’s Flag Football programme aims to be a fully rounded programme and will mainly focus on primary and prep schools. The programme goes beyond simply teaching the skills required to play the sport as it looks at character development and nutrition. “The character development is focused on the NFL values “There’s no boy he National Football skills and resilience. That’s why we of respect, resilience, integrity or girl positions, T League (NFL) UK’s Flag want to spread American football and responsibility as a team,” so there’s a broad Football programme is to as many schools right across the said Jason. “Plus with the range of skill sets” expanding nationally across the country because we understand healthy eating section, we are UK and Ireland throughout the impact it can have on young educating young people to make 2017/18, following a successful run people in terms of developing their healthier choices with their food in London. With the support of character.” and drink.” presenting sponsor Subway for the Schools have already begun The NFL has been a popular next three years, the programme to embrace the programme and staple of American culture since aims to introduce British children the many bene ts it o ers. “The 1920, and although the adult to the exciting team sport of reception from schools has been league is watched on UK soil, this American football. great,” said Jason. “Many are is a great chance to help British Jason Brisbane, Head of surprised at how much the kids children engage with the sport. Community for NFL UK, love it, because there’s a position “This programme also began playing American football for everyone. There’s no boy or girl allows us to grow the sport, as O : ason with London Blitz and has fond positions, so there’s a broad range if more schools play then that ris ane N memories of playing the sport. of skill sets – it’s a sport that is supports the local American ea o o nity “It was just a great team sport massively inclusive.” football teams. It will help these and the culture was fantastic,” Such inclusivity will be welcome teams with their recruitment he explained. “There’s such a to the many independent schools and, ultimately, we can create focus on character in American as they have increased their focus new NFL fans along the way,” football, because there’s so many on mixed-gender school sports in concluded Jason. ISS opportunities to communicate recent years. and you can develop leadership “Boys and girls can de nitely W: nfluk.com
Any school interested in the NFL UK’s Flag Football programme can sign up online and receive a free support package to run the programme themselves, including sufficient staff training, balls and jerseys for children to practise in, and a 12-week NFL Flag curriculum support
20 | ie-today.co.uk | @ISS_magazine COMMENT SPORTING BENEFITS
THE VALUE OF SPORT of a child’s education that are hard to Gareth Jones, Headmaster at St Andrew’s replicate elsewhere, with the exception of drama perhaps (and don’t journalists o en Prep, discusses how sport can impact all talk of sport as being a drama?). One of areas of school life these is the experience of losing (as well as winning). Children should be encouraged isitors to my school o en ask about performance within the classroom. Many to play as hard as they can to win but to the sport. We tend to be very good adults head straight to the gym a er a hard compete with the utmost dignity and and our top teams and individuals day ‘in the o ce’ and children need this fairness and maintain this while accepting V do extremely well in regional release too. For some, it is an outlet for victory or defeat in equal measure. Children and sometimes national competitions. aggression. For others, it is the element who experience this before facing the world However, what we are really trying to of problem-solving without the pressure of work are better equipped to deal with promote is an enjoyment of sport by all of outcome that is the enjoyment. Either others diplomatically and respectfully. pupils, regardless of ability. There are a way, it is escapism. At the top level – the And, of course, teamwork. The number of reasons why I believe it to be very highest level – it is inspirational fantastically named Vanderlei Luxemburgo, so important. and forces us to consider what we can who was once coach of Real Madrid and Firstly, it is vital for today’s youth to get achieve. Sport, when coached properly, Brazil, appealed to all sport-loving Latinists into good habits with exercise-taking. By allows the child to develop the ability when he said, “A player who conjugates being active on a regular basis now, there to think freely and be decisive. a verb in the rst person singular cannot is a great chance it will lead to a life-long Sport nurtures some very unique aspects be part of the squad, he has to conjugate habit of doing ‘something’ physical. Being healthy applies just as much to “SPORT, WHEN COACHED PROPERLY, ALLOWS THE CHILD TO the mind as to the body and it is a proven fact that playing sport leads to a better DEVELOP THE ABILITY TO THINK FREELY AND BE DECISIVE "
@ISS_magazine | ie-today.co.uk | 21 COMMENT SPORTING BENEFITS
the verb in the rst person plural. We. activities and we take a number of our We want to conquer. We are going to pupils down to the local sailing club to get conquer. Using the word ‘I’ when you're them onto the English Channel. Pupils in a group makes things complicated.” can opt to play golf, croquet or even a He has a point. Sport is so o en about tactical Viking game called kubb and we the team. As I write, Lewis Hamilton have children who compete in triathlons. has just become the world champion for Perhaps our greatest asset is our indoor the fourth time but he could not have 25m shooting range which is fantastically achieved this without his team. Any popular. It appeals to characters of all sportsman or sportswoman who plays as temperament and athletic ability and we an individual within a team does so to regularly compete nationally in this sport. the detriment of those around them. So, there are a range of reasons for why St Andrew’s Prep plays all the major sport is so valuable and it does not matter team sports but it prides itself on the variety whether one is any good, whether one that it can o er. We have pupils who are plays individually or for a team. It must the current IAPS National Champions be enjoyable and if it is, one will develop in chess and table tennis and, remarkably, and ourish in a host of ways. Lynn Davis, our U13 female table tennis team took the Olympic gold medal-winning long the clean sweep of medals last year, to jumper, once said, “Life isn’t about winning follow-on from the gold and bronze of the everything, it’s about having the grace “Every endeavour pursued with previous year. We host badminton and to learn about yourself and, by putting passion produces a successful basketball matches and there is a fencing yourself against the challenges of sport, you outcome, regardless of the result. club. Last year, we re-conditioned an old don’t only learn about sporting techniques, For it is not about winning or losing ves court and this great game is now but you also learn about what sort of person – rather, the e ort put forth in back in the minds of eager young players. you are, what kind of character you are.” ISS producing the outcome.” We make use of our wonderful location - Matthew Syed with cross-country and orienteering W: standrewsprep.co.uk
22 | ie-today.co.uk | @ISS_magazine PROMOTION
SPORT NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE
School sportswear is changing and Squadkit is at the forefront of the activewear evolution
t’s a disappointing conclusion: I women are less likely to take part in sport than men. According to Sport England, two million fewer women play sport regularly than men aged 14 to 40, and yet 75% of them would like to be more active. With girls dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys before adulthood, it is increasingly apparent that something needs to be done to encourage girls back into sports and exercise. With self-consciousness and low self-esteem being two of several factors which can negatively in uence girls’ participation in sports, it is more important than ever to develop quality, comfortable sportswear that girls feel good in. In the past, women’s and girls’ activewear was o en based on men’s sports apparel, just in smaller sizes; inevitably, the t could be un attering and uninspiring. Thankfully, things have changed; as the ‘athleisure’ trend has taken hold in recent years, we are seeing fashion in uence activewear to create technical, high-performance products tailored to women. Now, this trend is making its way into school sportswear. Squadkit has listened to what girls want to create the ‘Fitness Kit’, a range of fashionable, high-performance products that not only incorporate school uniform standards, but also are in keeping with the school brand. Better still, Fitness Kit garments are suitable for several di erent sports – saving our customers money in the long run. Responding to the increasing number of schools which are introducing gym and tness form a attering garment that makes girls and technical requirements. With the into the sports curriculum, the range includes look the part. The leggings are warm enough tness legging exceeding standards on all an innovative, attering T-shirt made from to wear outside as well as indoors, making fronts, we hope to inspire girls to get back breathable fabrics, and new running shorts them truly versatile and multi-purpose. The outside and active again. As the ‘activewear featuring a dual fabric design. But perhaps highly technical product features a moisture as fashion’ trend shows no sign of declining the favourite garment from the range is the wicking inside layer, and a smooth, friction- in popularity, Squadkit’s design team looks tness legging. Taking inspiration from minimising upper surface. The result is a forward to continuing to work in conjunction the movement of wearing yoga pants both product which will keep girls warm, dry with Schoolblazer and international athletes, in and out of the gym, the Squadkit design and comfortable so that they can perform at using its expertise in sourcing cutting-edge team has worked to create a multi-purpose their best – without compromising on style. fabrics which deliver high-performance garment ideal for any form of training. Too o en, functional garments look products: leading the way in school sports. ISS Tailoring designed to t adolescent girls, a uninspiring in appearance, while design- deep waistband, and high-performance fabrics led garments may fall short of the physical W: squadkit.com
@ISS_magazine | ie-today.co.uk | 23 PARTNER WITH THE BEST TOUR KIT SPECIALISTS
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Sportswear that goes the distance O’Neills, a UK-based sportswear manufacturer, explains how they can oer schools the best tour kit in the business...
TOP: O’Neills WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE O’NEILLS? TESTIMONIALS wants every O’Neills sportswear now have 10 regional sales Kingswood School, Bath have now used school to have the representatives who can visit your school and help from O’Neills for ve consecutive overseas school’s right size kit start to nish with guidance on how best to supply your tours and have been very impressed. tour kit, no matter what the size of your tour party. Director of Sport, Tim Reeman, states how important O’Neills reps regularly arrive at schools customer service is: “The sales o ce in Somerset is a armed with sizing samples and the tour party massive help to me! Tess and Lynn really do provide the is able to try on garments that will ultimately support I need in getting things spot on. You cannot be supplied in the school/tour colours, whether make mistakes with tour kits – they are a one-o .” for teamwear or general tour uniform. Tim’s most recent tour to North America The O’Neills saying is...“We want every tourist involved 80 students and 10 sta . O’Neills to have the right size kit and remember what should provided sizing samples and their sta were be a lifelong memory for all the right reasons!” present at the sizing session. All the kit was in a bespoke design and personalised with initials. TIMESCALES Moulsford Prep School are regular visitors to South O’Neills 12-acre manufacturing facility in Africa and have used O’Neills for their last three trips. Strabane, Northern Ireland, employs almost 500 Mark Gri ths, Director of Sport, explained sta and has received ISO accreditation at 9001 that the kit is always delivered when agreed, is top (quality management) and 14001 (environmental quality and, most importantly, looks smart. The tour management). O’Neills can supply: party always stands out for all the right reasons. • Bespoke, fully personalised team kits Pip Atkinson-Kennedy, Director of Sport at – 4 weeks King’s School Bruton, has not only bene ted from • Training and leisurewear with embroidery and/or the quick supply of tour kit, for destinations as print – 3 weeks varied as Canada, the Far East and Australia, but • Speci cally made tour leisurewear also O’Neills’ ability to supply bespoke team kit – 6–8 weeks for their very successful girl’s hockey teams “O’Neills have the ability to supply us with bespoke kit, but also personalise it for speci c events like indoor and outdoor national hockey nals, when we have little time between the qualifying tournaments and the nals,” said Pip.
WHAT’S NEXT? If your school is looking for a UK sportswear supplier who places customer service at the top of any agenda, don’t hesitate to contact Peter Kennedy on [email protected]. ISS
W: oneills.com
@ISS_magazine | ie-today.co.uk | 25 Traditional sports deserve modern facilities… Design - Construction - Maintenance - Refurbishment
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Giving Ladies a sporting chance Ahead of its ocial opening, Cheltenham Ladies’ College reveals their new health and tness centre
heltenham Ladies’ College is set to erg area, and a range of other facilities, While these high-performing C open a new multi-million pound in addition to the existing sports hall and sportswomen will undoubtedly reap great health and tness centre in 2018, swimming pool. rewards from the new centre and state- as part of a wider strategy dedicated to These new facilities will allow the of-the-art training facilities available, increasing girls’ participation and school to o er a wider range of sports and the school is equally keen to promote the engagement with sport and physical activity classes that can run throughout the year, importance of sport and tness at every at a young age. helping pupils to enjoy and understand level, regardless of ability. From the most Over the last few weeks the facilities the importance of exercise and mental ambitious athletes to those who simply have been available for testing by students and physical wellbeing, both at school and enjoy the health bene ts of exercise, the and have already hosted sessions with throughout their lives. school is committed to providing the leading sport psychologist Dr Claire-Marie Research shows that across the UK, girls’ breadth of choice and facilities to allow each Roberts, Olympic Gold Medallist Kate participation in sport drops signi cantly in pupil to nd her niche, from martial arts to Richardson-Walsh OBE, and leading sport their teenage years. Low self-esteem and yoga or hip-hop to scuba diving. scientist and conditioning coach Lizzie self-consciousness have been identi ed as The new health and tness centre follows Sinton, as well as a number of tournaments factors in uencing why girls drop out of on from a range of innovations around involving state and independent schools. playing sport at twice the rate of boys before health and wellbeing at the school over the The health and tness centre includes a adulthood. At this age, physical and mental last few years. In 2015, under the leadership sports hall, multi-purpose activity studio, tness and wellbeing are not only important of current Principal, Eve Jardine-Young, the dance studio, squash courts, tness gym, for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but school launched a whole-school Wellbeing free weights and spin area, a rowing and also in developing crucial skills such as Programme as part of the curriculum, teamwork, resilience and leadership. which includes sessions on age-appropriate There is no doubt that Cheltenham topics such as maintaining a healthy Ladies’ College produces some keen and lifestyle, self-defence, coping with stress, capable sportswomen. Throughout their study skills, and mindfulness. time there, each pupil typically spends Through this inclusive whole-school more than 800 hours doing sport as part approach to tness and wellbeing, the of the curriculum, aside from the many college aims to educate girls to develop and clubs, sports days, adventure days, and sustain life-long positive habits in relation other activities that the college o ers. Last to sport and exercise, enabling them to be year, the school had a fantastic 129 teams resilient and fully equipped to take on the competing at a range of di erent levels, challenges of a complex world throughout including many national achievements their lives. ISS in equestrian, hockey, netball, lacrosse, swimming and athletics. W: cheltladiescollege.org
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28 | ie-today.co.uk | @ISS_magazine DIVE IN Dr Julian O’Loughlin, Educational Visits pools that we might not even know exist Coordinator and Master in charge of scuba and will have existing relationships with diving at Wellington College, explains how their owners. The real pleasure in taking students into this world is when we get out education can reach new depths into the oceans for real and again planning a trip can be made much easier by working chools are full of division. Whether in many di erent spheres. The rst time with a company that has led school trips in it be division based by year we have dived over a coral reef and the the past. Some destinations are expensive, group, by house, by ability or by students have picked up plastic bottles and but there is also fantastic diving to be S gender there are many that o er carrier bags drives home like nothing else had in the UK, with shipwrecks being a a ‘preparation for life’, but then provide the e ect we are having on the world’s real notable feature of the UK waters. few opportunities where genuine diversity oceans. Swimming past a reef teeming with And for those who might wonder is present. In working with students over life only to nd 10 metres further on that whether there is a lack of physical exertion the past seven years with Mark at Oyster it is dead and bleached, simply staggers all in diving, it is true that the dive itself should Diving, we have seen hundreds of students of us. The evenings are frequently lled be calm and relaxed, but the number of learn to dive, and enjoy this sport, in some with discussions as to why such small students fast asleep on the minibus back challenging, but crucial diverse groups. It is temperature rises can have such a big a er a day of diving suggests that there is a quite staggering how existing hierarchies, e ect on these delicate environments. little more going on than just oating. ISS based on whichever criteria you choose, The leadership roles that diving o ers completely disappear once they descend are also hugely bene cial. The transition of W: wellingtoncollege.org.uk under the surface and they learn to buddy the PADI training programme moves from oysterdiving.com one another without any care as to their looking a er yourself to looking a er your age, previous familiarity or, most crucially buddy, to then looking out for everyone in Oyster Diving is the UK’s premier in the world of sport, their gender. the group and nally to leading a dive and PADI scuba diving and travel centre. Diving o ers students the chance to eventually training new divers. At every They have won ‘UK Dive Centre of experience a world unlike any other, and step of the way the criteria are meritocratic the Year’ several times, many of their from the age of eight, they can get the and certainly not based on how old you instructors have won awards and they recently attained the status of ‘Youth feeling of complete weightlessness and to are. As all the divers see one another in Training Centre’ by PADI. Their ve- delve into a world that covers 70% of the the water, those that are the best shine out star PADI dive centre teaches at many planet yet one that most will never witness. as beacons of good technique and older of the UK’s leading schools as well Once the divers are ready to move from the students and sta have no problem being as exclusive health clubs and leading swimming pool into open water, they learn guided by a 13-year-old experienced diver. FTSE 100 companies. a whole new set of skills, both technical Schools o ering diving is o en much School sta can bene t from many but also overlapping with so many di erent simpler than might initially be the case. rewards themselves in exchange for aspects of the conventional curriculum. Certainly working with a rst-class organising courses and holidays for the students. Free training from Whether it is physics and the concepts provider is a must, but they will provide all beginner to professional level, free of pressure, buoyancy and temperature the equipment you need, transport it to your holidays to amazing destinations or geography with the understanding training location and deal with it a erwards such as the Maldives, Red Sea and of ecosystems, ocean currents and the too! Access to a pool is not always easy, but Caribbean are all possible. environmental damage there are overlaps the dive companies o en have access to
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The future of sport Neil Rollings explains why the future of school sport will have to be different from the past
port has been an amazingly stable S dimension of independent schools since the 19th century. Whilst most other areas of school life have come and gone, the time dedicated to sport, and the enthusiasm for team games have remained inviolate. When compulsory rugby and cricket were rst installed as a feature of the sector, the rest of the curriculum was largely limited to Latin and Greek. Over the last 10 years, this landscape has changed signi cantly. The primacy of team games is being challenged on all fronts: rugby is too dangerous for some constituencies and cricket is too time- consuming. The assumed meritocracy of school teams is under pressure from a groundswell of democracy that does not accept that opportunity is ability dependent. “Given the expansion of facilities, programmes will become The arms race of facility development has been predominantly in indoor facilities, more diverse. The assumption that all pupils can be engaged which establish unprecedented alternatives by traditional team games has always been false" to outdoor games. Added to this, the increased currency of academic achievement that there isn’t an Under 12 World Cup. science of how exercise contributes to has questioned the time devoted to games, High performance will continue to learning, memory and concentration with an objectivity that would have been be a dominant feature of the sector. will become more widely recognised as considered seditious in previous eras. Mechanisms to support elite athletes will a justi cation for exercise. Only in this What are the implications for the future continue to become sophisticated, and way can physical activity come to impact of this sector-de ning characteristic of specialist sta ng from former professional positively on the lives of all children. And independent education? The rst is the players will continue to gather pace. The nally… Parents will become educated in need to justify the bene ts of investment. best players will get better and better, wider success criteria than who nishes The time, energy and commitment of and they will focus themselves in a small school matches with most goals. previous times are now no longer assumed. number of ultra-elite organisations. The future will be signi cantly di erent Most schools spend more time on physical Inevitably, given the expansion of facilities, from the past. It will be more closely rooted activities than maths. The bene ts of this programmes will become more diverse. The in science, more diverse and inclusive. to all pupils will need to be more clearly assumption that all pupils can be engaged This won’t detract signi cantly from the articulated and supported by science. by traditional team games has always been team games programme which has always The compulsion to take part in speci c false. The future may more willingly accept characterised independent schools. They will activities, principally team games, will this, and provide a meaningful alternative always have a dominant position. However, erode. Generations of schoolchildren who programme to complement rugby, hockey it might be that meaningful provision will learned to loathe games at the hands of and cricket. In line with trends in physical go beyond this, and re ect a more logical and sadistic bullies on windswept playing elds activity in wider society, some of this will intellectual justi cation for the considerable might applaud this. The introduction of include mass participation events which investment in sports. A school that genuinely choice will create pressure to make the are not focused narrowly on competition. aimed to prepare pupils for a lifetime of being games experience more widely positive, However reluctantly in some quarters, the physically active would not be seeking to and to replace compulsion with a culture in sector is coming to recognise that health maintain a 19th-century programme. ISS which it is cool to be active. This will have promoting exercise is a legitimate end in implications for coaching methods and team itself. The lavish conditioning facilities management. The coach-centred approach, sprouting up in most schools will come to Neil Rollings, which required a commentary shouted from support not only athletic conditioning for Managing Director the touchline every Saturday may come to high performance, but also lower intensity of Independent be replaced by an experience which puts the physical activity that improves physical Coach Education player at the heart of the experience. This and mental health for those not engaged and Chair of might be accompanied by a recognition by outdoor competition. The emerging PADSIS
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