SPORT

Our aim is to inspire young people with a life-long interest in sport and physical activity. With so much on offer within our incredible campus, there is something for everyone. Whether a future international or a recreational participant, the variety of opportunities and positive approach from pupils and staff generates a productive, fun and engaging atmosphere.
Nick Platt, Director of Sport

sport for all

Whether you aspire to play at the elite level, want to play recreationally or simply enjoy participating in physical activity for your own wellbeing, the choice is yours at RHS.

We promote sport and physical activity in terms of both physical performance and wellbeing, providing every pupil with the opportunity to excel and enjoy their involvement. Our coaching structure allows the more able performers to maximise their potential while allowing pupils of all abilities to develop their skills and participate in a range of sporting activities.

Our committed and highly qualified sports staff provide expert coaching to a high level and those pupils that wish to can take part in some kind of sporting activity on most days. It’s all about balance, so we plan our sports using a holistic approach, mindful of the academic and co-curricular demands pupils have.

There are a variety of sports or games options each term with a full calendar of fixtures against other schools. Many within our Talented Performance Group (TPG) programme are supported to gain regional, academy and national representation in their particular sport. Pupils who are not members of the main school teams participate in the recreational programme on Saturday afternoons, choosing from competitive or more wellbeing-related options. This is optional for Year 7 day pupils unless they are chosen for a main school team.

Main Sports

Main Sports at RHS

The main sports or games options each term for both girls and boys are listed below and there is a full calendar of fixtures against other schools. The most talented gain regional, academy and national representation in their particular sport.

	BOYS
Michaelmas Term	Rugby and sailing
Lent Term	Hockey, rugby 7s and sailing
Summer Term	Cricket, athletics and sailing

	GIRLS
Michaelmas Term	Hockey and sailing
Lent Term	Netball and sailing
Summer Term	Cricket, athletics and sailing

Athletics

During their time at RHS, pupils will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of athletic activities.

In Years 7 and 8, pupils will learn the fundamentals of long-jump, high-jump, shot put, javelin, discus, short and long distance running, and hurdles. From Years 9 to 13, they can refine their skills and learn how to push themselves to discover their full potential. Pupils can engage in athletics during games afternoons, core PE lessons, after-school clubs, and as a co-curricular activity for all years.

Find out more about athletics

CRICKET

At RHS, cricket is more than just a sport, it’s a tradition steeped in excellence and a testament to our commitment to nurturing young talent. Our state-of-the-art facilities are second to none, offering pupils of all abilities the perfect environment to develop their cricketing skills. With a total of eight meticulously maintained cricket pitches, two pavilions, six all-weather nets and four cutting edge indoor nets, boys and girls have access to top tier training resources.

Find out more about Cricket

HOCKEY

Hockey is the main sport played in the Michaelmas term for girls and in the Lent term for boys. We regularly field A, B and C teams in most age groups and play on a strong circuit with block fixtures taking place every week. In Year 9 and above, pupils who are involved in the hockey programme take part in a timetabled sports afternoon, alongside an after-school practice.

Find out more about Hockey

NETBALL

Netball is the main sport played by girls in the Lent term. Senior girls participate in one games session per week and one after school practice. Junior teams take part in two games sessions per week and compete in weekly competitive fixtures at A-C team level. They also receive extra training as part of the Saturday junior programme, which runs throughout the Michaelmas and Lent terms.

Find out more about Netball

RUGBY

Rugby is the main sport played in the Michaelmas term for boys. We regularly field an A and B team in every age group and play on a strong circuit with block school fixtures taking place every weekend. All boys take part in a timetabled games afternoon of rugby, along with after school practices too.

RHS has eight rugby pitches that are used for training and matches for all ages in the school.

Find out more about rugby

SAILING

We have an unrivalled provision for sailing with our maritime heritage and location next to a 400 acre man-made reservoir (Alton Water) and nestled between the Stour and Orwell estuaries; we have become a Centre of Excellence for Sailing with exceptional provision and opportunity for sailing.

Our Sailing Academy is an established RYA Training Centre with a fleet of more than 60 dinghies catering for every level of sailing; from beginner boats like the RS Tera to team racing Fireflies, Olympic pathway craft such as the ILCA and 29er and the latest in one-design foiling - the Waszp.

Find out more about Sailing

Other Team And recreational sports

Climbing

Cross Country

Basketball

Fitness

Football

Golf

Horse Riding

Kickboxing

Swimming

tennis

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Elite Sportsmen and Sportswomen

We have excellent opportunities to develop Olympic pathways for sailing alongside those with the ability and mindset to progress to professional and elite level sport. RHS also has strong links with Suffolk and Essex County Cricket, Mavericks Super League Netball, Northampton Saints, Ealing Trailfinders Rugby and Suffolk and Eastern Counties Hockey.

Meet The Team

Director of Sport - Nick Platt

Nick leads all aspects of the sports provision at RHS. He has over 25 years of experience coaching and mentoring pupils across a variety of sports from recreational through to elite level. Before his move to RHS, Nick was Manager (Developing Player Programme) and Coaching Lead at Harlequins Academy as well as an EPDG

coach at the club, alongside being Director of Sport at St John’s School, Leatherhead.

Nick has created performance pathways which have supported numerous pupils in reaching elite level in their sports, including those who have gone on to represent: The British and Irish Lions, England Rugby, England 7s, Saracens, Harlequins, Northampton Saints, Exeter Chiefs, Brentford FC, Celtic FC, Surrey CCC, Leicestershire CCC, Team GB Sailing, Team GB Skiing, Surbiton Hockey & England U21, Surrey Storm Netball U21, as well as a Wakeboarding Junior World Champion.

As a coach, Nick led the RHS 1st XV to an unbeaten season in 2021 and has previously coached teams which have won the U18 Rosslyn Park 7s tournament and Surrey U16 7s, alongside national swimming finalists. Despite his experience of coaching at a high level, Nick is committed to delivering a sports programme which caters for pupils of all abilities via the breadth of sporting activities and wellbeing experiences on offer.

HEAD OF ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT - Albie Sayer

HEAD OF ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT - Albie Sayer

Albie is the school’s Athletic Development Lead and is in charge of providing athletic development programmes to the school’s sports scholars and sports teams. Albie played academy rugby with Saracens until the age of 18 where he was part of the squad that won the 2015 U18 Academy Premiership. Previously, Albie ran a personal training and education business where he worked with a range of athletes as well as tutoring others looking to become certified personal trainers. Since joining RHS, Albie has assisted with the athletic development of pupils who have gone on to become internationally competitive in sailing, professional rugby players and professional cricketers whilst also assisting many pupils first embarking on their health and fitness journey

Head of Hockey - Nick Chandler

Head of Hockey - Nick Chandler

As Head of Hockey, Nick is building an exciting and effective programme for both the boys’ and girls’ squads. Playing national league hockey in England, and premiership hockey in Melbourne, Nick has played at a competitive standard for a number of years. He now plays for Cambridge City Men’s 1s who compete in the England Hockey Division 1 North. Alongside Nick’s playing credentials, he has over 10 years of coaching experience and is a Level 2 coach. Through working on the England Hockey Player Pathway, and previously being Head of Hockey at some large independent schools, Nick’s love and passion for the game at all levels is without doubt. He caters for pupils of all abilities and strives for everyone to enjoy their hockey and experience success.

Head of Rugby - Barty Hills

Head of Rugby - Barty Hills

Barty has a diverse coaching and playing background, having played for Richmond in the UK, Eastern Suburbs (Australia), Bathco (Spain), Ballito Dolphins (South Africa) and Luctonians (UK). During this time he developed various outreach programmes and coached in their junior set ups. An experienced and wellqualified rugby coach with a degree in sports coaching, Barty has also worked for the RFU and is a level 3 Personal Trainer. After a life-changing brain tumour diagnosis, Barty has also done much charity work, having established the successful 7s team, “The Flair Bears”, which played tournaments across Europe raising both money and awareness. As a former 1st XV captain at RHS, Barty has a great deal of empathy for the players in the school.

HEAD OF CRICKET - Calvin Nortje

HEAD OF CRICKET - Calvin Nortje

Calvin is a vastly experienced cricket coach, having previously been Head of Cricket at St David’s Marist Inanda in South Africa, where his holistic approach was instrumental in the growth and success of their cricket programme. This led to 3 players representing South Africa U19, as well as numerous provincial players. Calvin also served as the lead coach for Gauteng Schools. He has continued to coach at representative level, being an age group lead coach for Suffolk, nurturing young talent in the region. Calvin’s innovative approach to coaching cricket and dedication to player development has already created a positive learning environment for those wishing to pursue cricket at the highest level as well as those enjoying the game more recreationally at RHS

HEAD OF NETBALL - Jemma Holden

HEAD OF NETBALL - Jemma Holden

Jemma is an experienced coach who leads all aspects of netball at RHS, which has seen much success on the schools’ circuit across the age groups. She has supported numerous pupils progressing to county level as well as representing Saracens Mavericks and London Pulse. Alongside her school commitments Jemma has coached at club level for many years, building strong links with a good number of local teams. Having also played at national premiership level from U16 and been a member of Manchester Thunder U19’s and the AoC national squad she has brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. Netball is a very popular sports option, with Jemma’s energy and coaching prowess instrumental in leading a strong core of coaches

Head of Sailing - Ed Sibson

Head of Sailing - Ed Sibson

Ed has been instructing dinghy sailing since 1999, coaching fleet and team racing since 2005 and is an RYA National Umpire having raced international 14s, Cherubs and International Moths. He joined RHS in 2017 following a career in outdoor education centre management and work as an RYA Sailing Scheme Trainer, Racing Coach and Centre Inspector. He has coached many school and university team racers and is actively involved in training and assessing Dinghy Instructors and Race Coaches. Ed is a current coach to winners of the BSDRA Team Racing National Championship, NSSA Match Racing National Championship, BSDRA Keelboat Fleet Racing National Championship and NSSA Single-handed Team Racing Championship

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Inter-House Cross Country

28 Mar 2024

The Lent term ended with the annual inter-house cross country competition, with vast majority of pupils taking part. This was an excellent display of school spirit, with the entire school community coming together to support the competitors.

Sailing Update