News
SPORT IN BRIEF
Big schools’ bias still dominates leading sports
Two of Britain’s most popular sports continue to be dominated by privately-educated schools, according to a new study.
Pupils who go to independent schools are still far more likely to find international success in cricket and rugby.
Research shows that around 63% of international cricketers to play a Test match for the ‘big three’ countries of England, Australia and India in 2020 were fortunate enough to enjoy private education.
Just 37%, or six, of the players to play Test cricket for England in 2020 were educated in state schools (Joe Denly, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, James Anderson, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood) and five of them were bowlers - four of whom are from the north of England.
That means nearly 63% went to independent schools, like Jos Buttler (pictured above) who went to King's College Taunton, despite just 6% of the population being privately-educated.
Wider afield in the professional men’s cricket game, 46% were educated at private schools while 43% were state-educated (way down from the national average of 94%) and 11% internationally educated.
The gulf in rugby was even greater with 86.7% of England players going to independent schools
and just 13.3% attending state schools, according to the study by
cricketbetindia.com
Just two of the England starting XV against Italy in the Six Nations finale - Jonny Hill and Kyle Sinckler - attended state schools.
In the women’s cricket game, the difference is rather smaller, although still disproportionate, with 27.2% being privately educated compared to 72% going to state schools.
It’s a picture that is mirrored elsewhere in the world with the India cricket team having a representation of 81.8% privately-educated players, up from the national average of 47.6%, while Australia is much more balanced at 40% (national average of 34.3%).
South Africa have also had issues with representation in international sport and particularly cricket since their readmission in 1991.
Just three of their 14 players to play in the Test series against England attended a state school with 78.6% privately educated (compared to a national average of 3%).
Football is the one major game that continues to buck the trend with 86.7% of the England team educated in state schools - exposing a real gulf between the three sports.
A Devon school is launching a girls’ football programme in association with the Chelsea Football Club Foundation (CFCF). Mount Kelly’s scheme presents a great opportunity for girls from 16-18 to study their A Levels at a leading independent school while also following their ambitions on the football pitch.
Trent College in Derbyshire are to sponsor the first team kit for national champions Beeston Hockey Club. More than 60 pupils from the school currently represent the club, from the U12 side to the first team and senior set up. And director of sport Richard Mahony says: “Collaboration is at the heart of sport, both on and off the pitch. Our sports department works closely with key organisations to ensure pupils have the opportunities to maximise their potential in any sport.”
Impington College are teaming up with
Cambridge Handball Club to offer pupils a new sports
scholarship. From September 2021, students will be able to apply for the handball scholarship which will cover the cost of membership at the club and will see students participating in specialist handball training three times a week. Those enrolled on the programme will take part in regional matches each week and have the opportunity to represent the men's and women's teams in the England Handball Premier League.
Issue No.81 January/February/March 2021 SCHOOL SPORT 7
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
