High Performance Sport Journal

High Performance Athletes Programme Vol 03 – November 2025

In this issue...

Raf skippers England Christine nets England call up Seb pushes the boundary of cricketing excellence Hattie takes next step

Journal

Raf skippers England Raf Dekkers has earned a well-deserved spot in the England U18 hockey squad, following a standout performance at Eltham College and consistent excellence within the Holcombe Talent Academy. In December 2024, he was officially named in the England age‑group squad, securing his place through a series of Talent Academy Cup appearances and rigorous selection trials. His selection has given him access to elite training environments at Lilleshall and Bisham Abbey, and upcoming matches against top international youth sides—including powerhouses like the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and the Home Nations—are already on his developmental pathway. He has subsequently been selected into the U18 squad.

In the three U16 games vs Ireland he bagged a hattrick and captained the side ahead of the 6 nations at Tonbridge school where England finished 3rd. In late June Raf was away with the squad again in Belgium where they played Germany twice and Belgium all in the lead up to the 8 nations in July in Houten, Holland, where he represented the U16’s in each game culminating in the outstanding news that he has been selected for the England U18 squad for 2025-26.

As a Holcombe HC player, Raf has also become an increasingly prominent figure in club-level hockey. His performances during the Talent Academy Cup showcased his knack for goal-scoring under pressure and his ability to compete at higher levels. His technical skills, work ethic, and tournament composure have earned praise from coaches across both school and club circuits. With national representation secured and further England selection at U18 level, Raf Dekkers is well on his way to becoming a major force in the future of English hockey.

Christine nets England call up Christine Kadiri’s ascent into the England Roses netball setup is a testament to her talent, work ethic, and impressive performances within the London Pulse pathway. Christine has been selected for the England U19 squad, placing her firmly on the national radar. Her rapid development has been driven by standout performances in the U17 Netball Performance League (NPL), where she has consistently excelled in defensive roles for London Pulse, earning a silver medal at national finals.

Further cementing her place on the international stage, Christine was named in the England U17 squad for the 2025 Europe Netball Division 1 Championship, playing a key role in the team’s unbeaten run and eventual title victory. Her selection reflects both her defensive strengths and leadership qualities—attributes likely sharpened under the Roses Academy’s elite training programme at Loughborough. As she continues along the Roses pathway, Christine is poised to be a rising defensive talent for England's future, embodying the pathway’s aim to develop the next generation of elite international players

Seb pushes the boundary of cricketing excellence Seb Laperna-Murray, has earned selection for the Kent U16 cricket squad, highlighting his rapid development and strong performance in both school and county competitions. He joins a distinguished group of Eltham students chosen for county representation, reflecting the depth of cricketing talent at the school.

Seb’s consistent brilliance was on display during school fixtures, sScoring an outstanding 95 vs Australian touring side to go with the 441 runs at 1st XI level as a Yyear 10. Throughout the season he has amassed over a 1000 runs at school in just 25 games. His selection for Kent U16 marks a significant milestone in his sporting journey and bodes well for his future in high-performance cricket.

HATTIE TAKES NEXT STEP

Bode Dominates at All England U18 Championships Ahead of ESSKIA Qualifiers Rising ski star Bode Kelly delivered a standout performance, claiming the All England National U18 Championship title at Chatham Ski Slope.

The victory marks a major milestone in Bode's competitive journey and served as a strong statement ahead of the ESSKIA Dry Slope Qualifiers. His win in Chatham is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the hard work and momentum building within the entire Ski Race Team.

Continuing his stellar form, Bode went on to be the fastest skier of the day during the ESSKIA Qualifiers, where he also secured 1st place in the Category 4 team event, helping the team earn a coveted spot in the National Championships.

With national qualification secured and confidence running high, Bode and the Ski Race Team now look ahead to the next stage of competition, determined to carry their winning form into the Nationals.

Athletics remains on track

Hattie Stafford has taken another huge step in her development as an increasingly impressive young goalkeeper. Following her impressive club and school season Hattie has been named in the England U16 squad for 2025-26. This opportunity has come about from an insatiable desire to better herself at every opportunity and she richly deserves the chance to show case her talents at the top level.

Saracens come calling for impressive trio Eltham College is thrilled to announce that three of its standout pupils— Anthony Poulin, Jayden Madawho, and Alex Johnson—have been selected to join the Saracens U15 Foundation Phase squad, with Jayden and Alex both playing for the U16's. This selection recognises their exceptional skills, commitment, and development within the school’s rugby programme. Head of Rugby Ben King praised the trio, noting that their selection “is a testament to their hard work and commitment, as well as the strength of our rugby provision,” and predicted a bright future as they progress toward first‑team contention.

Eltham College enjoyed a stellar season on the athletics track, marked by outstanding team and individual achievements. In the prestigious Cambridge Cup, their Year 9 squad claimed multiple impressive podium finishes with Year 7 girls dominating the district title. The success continued at the ESAA Track & Field Cup regional finals, where all four college teams—Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Intermediate Boys and Intermediate Girls—qualified for the first time in school history, competing across 108 events; standout performances included wins in sprints, relays (all four 4×100 m teams), throws and middle-distance. As a result, eleven Eltham athletes were selected for London Schools, and notably Emily Cadman lit up the track at the England Athletics U17 Championships, claiming two national medals in a spectacular sprint double.

Silver – 100m, missing gold by just 0.01 seconds Bronze – 200m Emily’s lightning-fast start and powerful finish in the 100m brought her agonisingly close to the top podium spot, and her follow-up performance in the 200m showcased her consistency and elite sprinting capability.

We are extremely proud of Emily’s accomplishments as she continues to flourish on the track and establish herself among the country’s best young sprinters.

From the top Foreword by Edd Thorogood, Head of High Performance

Edd Thorogood

Alumni focus Harry pens deal with portsmouth Harry Clout (OE) has officially signed his first professional contract with Portsmouth FC, marking a significant milestone in his career. The 18‑year‑old winger, a product of the club’s academy, impressed during pre‑season and was part of the first-team training squad during their Slovakian camp.

Clout made his senior debut in an FA Cup match at Wycombe in January and was named on the bench for several Championship fixtures, underlining the club’s confidence in his potential.

Manager John Mousinho praised him as a “promising young player” whose signing “is thoroughly deserved,” reflecting Pompey’s renewed focus on promoting talent from within.

The 2024–25 sporting year has been another exceptional chapter in the development of sport at Eltham College.

Across all disciplines, we’ve seen our students rise to new levels, with numerous county and regional selections reflecting both the talent and depth within our squads. These achievements are underpinned by a holistic high-performance environment—one that includes outstanding strength and conditioning provision, access to expert sport psychology, and a shared vision of excellence supported wholeheartedly by our Director of Sport and the senior leadership team.

Our coaching culture remains one of the key drivers of success. Each sport is led by outstanding individuals—strong characters who are both technically expert and deeply committed to developing young athletes.

Whether it’s rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, swimming, or athletics, our Heads of Sport bring professional standards, clear identity, and a passion for excellence to every session and match day. As a result, our students are not only achieving great results but also developing the mindset, resilience and teamwork that will serve them far beyond their school years. I look forward to what the next season will bring as we continue to grow both the programme and the people within it.

Eltham College Grove Park Road London SE9 4QF +44 (0)20 8857 1455 mail@eltham-college.org.uk

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www.eltham-college.org.uk