At Wellington our aim is to provide a sports programme that is based on enjoyment, learning and performance. We believe in the development of the whole child, the fostering of an ‘active life’ philosophy and the promotion of a lifetime investment in sport and physical activity. Therefore establishing a sporting ethos that is linked to and reflects the College’s inspirational Well-Being and Leadership programmes, the Eight Aptitudes and meeting the needs of all students.
In short we would aim that our pupils enjoy their sporting experiences and they keep coming back for more!
Wellington’s sporting reputation continues to thrive. The school has a national reputation for prowess in a number of sports, particularly in rugby, hockey, cricket, netball, shooting, swimming, athletics, rackets, triathlon, squash, golf, riding and polo.
There are numerous opportunities for pupils to represent the College in teams across a wide range of competitive sports as well as recreational activities, all of which are supported by the outstanding College facilities. These include over 80 acres of playing fields, two all-weather pitches for hockey and all-weather tennis courts. There is a sports complex which incorporates a rackets court, five squash courts, an indoor pool, a large sports hall and a spectacular sports pavilion. The main sports centre caters for a wide variety of indoor games as well as specialist weight training and conditioning rooms, dance studios and a rock climbing area. An outstanding nine-hole golf course was opened in September 2001 and is enjoyed by many in the community.
The traditional pattern of boys’ sport is rugby (we regularly field up to 20 XVs) in the Michaelmas Term, hockey, football and cross country in the Lent Term and cricket, athletics, tennis and in the Summer. For the girls, hockey has been the main sport in the Michaelmas Term, with netball in the Lent and cricket, rounders, athletics, tennis and in the Summer. There is also the opportunity for girls to play lacrosse competitively. Recently sporting options throughout the school have been expanded and many other sports have been made available as a first or second choice options for pupils which include squash, basketball, tennis, sailing, football, rugby 7s, fencing, badminton, swimming, cross country and a variety of fitness and health-related activities.
Wellington College’s coaching philosophy is continuously evolving; however, it is based around some core principles that our staff firmly believe in. We aim to provide pupils with a transformative experience, using a variety of methods to help individuals to achieve their personal sporting aspirations. Our vision is to create the best possible “safe, friendly and challenging” environment for our pupils, which in turn promotes enjoyment, learning and performance. We believe in a player-centred approach to coaching which encourages pupils to think for themselves and helps to raise the individual’s self-awareness.
Within each sport, there are some fundamental techniques and skills that need to be mastered. Whilst promoting and highlighting these “non-negotiables”, we also aim to encourage individuality amongst our pupils. Coaches at Wellington are encouraged to commit to internal and external professional development programmes in order to raise their self-awareness and develop their subject knowledge and coaching skills. All of our staff are regarded as high quality “people coaches”.
Read details with regards to 13+ and 16+ Sports Scholarships or our Duke of York Golf Scholarships or contact our Admissions Department.
If you require any further information about the Wellington College Sports Programme please contact our Sports Department.
Steve Shortland
Director of Sport