It has been a most busy Michaelmas Term with a full and comprehensive sports programme again enlivening our weekday and Saturday afternoons.
It has been a term of notable team and individual achievements including:
The school swim squad reached the English Schools Finals at the London Aquatics Centre and completing another successful 24 hour swimathon raising almost £3k for Oundle Mencap Holidays. The girls’ and boys’ U16 indoor hockey squads competed at their regional finals. The U14 and U19 netball squads have both reached their respective regional finals to be held in Oundle at the end of January. The Golf squad has reached the 3rd round of the HMC Foursomes. Cross Country runners have qualified for their county finals next term. We have also seen our first senior girls, U15 and U14 boys fixtures in basketball.
Eliza Ireson was awarded School Sports Colours with Honours having represented England Equestrian at the Youth Home Internationals, winning the FEI Juniors (U18) two day competition.
Pupils have gained selection in Northampton Saints, England Hockey Talent Academy, Loughborough Lightening and Northants Cricket performance pathways.
The Oundle Boat Club enjoyed success at the Isle of Ely Head Race. Out of the three competing crews, one of the J16 coxed fours achieved first place over the 5km course in the Men’s Open Coxed Four category. The second quad came fifth in the same category. These were both impressive results, given that both were J16 crews pitted against crews from other age groups. The J17 girl’s quad achieved third place, with two in the crew who were actually graded J16. At the Newark Head, girl’s squad rowed in the WJ18 with a comfortable win in the B2 event.
In Fives, Oundle has played host to both the National Singles Championships and Challenger Cup Tournament with the National U25 Championships coming at the end of January and National Schools Mixed Doubles in February 2023.
There have been distinguished performances from a number of teams across a range of sports who have enjoyed either unbeaten seasons, or registered impressive playing records on what is a competitive and at times, an unforgiving playing circuit. However, at no stage have teams faltered, taken a backward step or failed to represent the school with pride.
Across the board 87 teams have played over 430 matches across 11 sports with an overall win ratio of almost 50%.
U16B and U14C girl’s hockey finished their seasons unbeaten with the U15As having suffered only one defeat across the past two seasons. The girl’s hockey club finished the season with a 55% win percentage.
The U14B and U14D boy’s rugby squads both lost a solitary game. The boy’s 1st XV regained the Silver Boot Trophy with a comprehensive win over local rivals Uppingham.
In all, over 850 pupils have participated in team sports, 75% representing the school in competitive fixtures with all pupils enjoying the outstanding facilities and opportunities Oundle School Sport has to offer.
We look forward to an even busier and action packed Lent Term.
