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Sport Education
Alice Barlow looks at the rich history of sport in our independent schools
that an indoor riding school or state-of-the-art sports centre can prove more enticing to sporty families than, for example, a new science lab. So which schools pride themselves in excellence in a
Most
particular sport and how can clued-up parents optimise their child’s chances of wangling a lucrative sports scholarship? Certain schools are acknowledged by their peers for excellence in particular games and in some cases are the equivalent of a specialist sports academy: Harrow, Repton and Brighton College (cricket), Wellington, Llandovery College and Sedbergh (rugby), Loretto (golf), Wrekin College (gymnastics), Bromsgrove (rugby, hockey and netball), Queenswood (tennis and hockey), Reed’s School Cobham (rugby, hockey, cricket and tennis), King Edward’s School, Birmingham (water polo), and Whitgift, Oundle and Millfi eld for most sports. Millfi eld’s litany of success and rollcall of sporting alumni including rugby star Gareth Edwards, and Olympic gold medallists Mary Rand and Duncan Goodhew, tell their own story. Recent triumphs include national titles in football, golf, hockey, girls’ athletics, Modern Pentathlon, Tetrathlon, Rugby 7’s, squash, cricket, and girls’ tennis. While several current Millfi eld students are tipped for 2012 Olympic selection. Its prep school too, is among the sporting stand-outs, along with Maidwell Hall (cricket), Bromsgrove Prep and Malsis in North Yorkshire (rugby and hockey) and Wellesley House, Kent (golf). Some traditional schools have developed personalised
sports
a forerunner of soccer is played between two teams of 11 players, each attempting to win by scoring more bases (goals) than their opponent. It is played predominantly with the feet, but players’ hands and arms are sometimes used to propel the ball. The leather ball is shaped like a giant pork pie about 18 inches in diameter and 12 inches (300mm) deep. It soaks up mud and water during play and becomes extremely heavy.
● Rugby School Rugby football: the school originated its eponymous sport and went on to
export it worldwide, after a young pupil William Webb Ellis, apparently bored by the slow pace of the game, allegedly picked up the ball and ran with it in 1823. Until then, handling the ball had been permitted; running with it had not. A plaque at the school commemorates his feat. Rugby Fives is played on a 4-wall court, similar to a squash court and without the hazards found in Eton Fives. It is played competitively as singles or doubles and because the ball is heavier than the Eton one, players wear thicker gloves. There are national schools championships in
versions of existing games, notably Eton, Winchester and Rugby fi ves, or invented their own, as at Rugby, which acquired an eponymous sport when William Webb Ellis allegedly picked up the ball and ran with it in 1823. Certain schools specialise in abstruse “one-off s”, (usually played when it is too wet and muddy even for rugby) such as Prince Harry’s choice, the Wall Game, the Field Game (both Eton), Harrow Football, the clay- drenched kickabout favoured by Churchill and King Hussein of Jordan plus “Winkies”, Winchester College Football in which “raising a plant” (blocking a punted ball with your chest) was once considered the perfect way to build moral fi bre. This is how lifelong friendships are formed. After all, who can forget those who have spent happy afternoons “knuckling”, grinding your face with roughened gloves in the Wall Game, or accompanying you to matron after concussion from heading the huge, sodden Harrow ball?
both games and the top players often excel at diff erent racket sports.
● Winchester College Winkies (Winchester College Football) is another of the variants of soccer. This version likewise has its own lingo impenetrable to all but Wykehamists. A Winchester Football scrum is known as a “hot”, while a punt is a “bust” and “raising a plant” (blocking a punted ball with your chest) was once considered the perfect way to build moral fi bre.
● Stowe, Radley and Eton still run their own beagle packs with considerable
input from the pupils. Many say that taking on the responsibility of helping to organise and hunt with the pack boosts self-confi dence, even of those who are not star academics or games players.
● Millfi eld, Wellington, Glenalmond, Radley and the Oratory are among a handful of schools that enjoys their own golf course within their grounds. Loretto, beside historic Musselburgh Links, plus Millfi eld and Wellington off er outstanding academy provision for up-and-coming golfers.
independent schools see high-quality sport as a major selling point and canny heads and bursars increasingly realise
www.fi rstelevenmagazine.co.uk Michaelmas 2011 FirstEleven 47
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