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Across schools, grassroots clubs, and on the national and international stages, girls’ and women’s sport is flourishing. We are witnessing a period of incredible positive change, with much to celebrate—yet there is still progress to be made.
Thea Brookes joined Wellington in 2022 as Head of Girls’ Sport Development. In this role, she has been dedicated to elevating girls’ sport at the College, ensuring equal opportunities, with a particular emphasis on netball, hockey, and cricket. Additionally, as Head of Cricket, Thea stands among a select few women holding such a role in independent schools, paving the way for future female sports leaders. Her three guiding pillars—Participation, Performance, and Education—are all underpinned by the empowerment of young women in sport. Meet Thea Brookes – Head of Girls’ Sport Development at Wellington – Wellington College
Since 2022, the growth of girls’ sport at Wellington has been nothing short of extraordinary. In cricket alone, six teams are now competing in the season, with 82 matches scheduled—an impressive increase from just 32 matches in 2022.
“I’ve always had a passion for cricket, and it’s been so amazing to experience the development of girls’ cricket at Wellington in such a positive way. The support from the coaches and the fun, encouraging atmosphere have helped me develop both as a teammate and a player. I’m very grateful to be a part of a team where girls’ cricket is truly valued and will continue to thrive.” – Ottie, Lower Sixth
Netball has continued to thrive under the leadership of Scarlett Williams, who has propelled the programme forward, guiding the team to Nationals for the second consecutive year. Recently, we welcomed NextGen Netball for our debut live-streamed netball match—a significant milestone we hope will become a more regular feature, further enhancing visibility and engagement in the sport at Wellington. Hockey is also making waves on the national stage, with the U16s defending their title at Nationals.
The transformation in girls’ football has been remarkable, thanks to the efforts of Oli Pritchard, Head of Football Development, and Will O’Brien. The number of girls involved in football has skyrocketed, with participation increasing from just four regular players to 250 girls now signed up and actively involved. This growth is a powerful testament to the program’s success and the rising interest in girls’ football at Wellington. Beyond the pitch, the Women’s Sport Society at Wellington is thriving, offering girls access to guest speakers and focus groups covering vital topics like nutrition, injury prevention, strength and conditioning, and real-life career stories from staff in the sports world.
Upcoming events will further solidify Wellington’s commitment to girls’ sport. These include a Women’s Health Conference, led by The Well HQ later this month, and a Sports Bra Fitting Workshop hosted by PEBE in October. Initiatives such as the Friday Night Lights events highlight girls’ sports, while the Women in Sport Fireside Talk continues to inspire and empower the next generation of female athletes.
Thea’s vision for Wellington is one of unity, where the talents and achievements of girls are recognised, and mutual support is fostered across all sports. “It should never be about girls vs. boys—that’s exactly what we want to avoid. It’s about ensuring that boys recognise girls’ successes and that we all support one another.”
Beyond competition, Thea is passionate about highlighting the broader benefits of sport, including confidence-building, lifelong friendships, improved mental health, and the unification of diverse cultures. She is also committed to showcasing the vast array of career opportunities within sport—whether in journalism, photography, commentary, teaching, or marketing.
Looking to the future, there are ambitious plans for girls’ sport at Wellington, including launching a podcast to celebrate sporting achievements, establishing an annual women’s health conference in partnership with The Well HQ, integrating prep school pupils into educational talks, and increasing support at major sporting events such as Nationals and cup matches.
As a nation, we are celebrating women in sport like never before, and Wellington College is committed to ensuring that this momentum filters down to the grassroots level. Thea Brookes and her team are spearheading real change, and with continued support and investment, the future of girls’ sport at Wellington looks brighter than ever.
