Athletics and Cross Country

Athletics is one of our major Summer sports and is contested amongst local, regional and national school teams. Teams are formed in the Junior School, with the core running, jumping and throwing skills taught in curriculum lessons from Year 3. Students start competing in Year 5 and they have the opportunity to continue representing BGS right up to and including Upper Sixth. We have an abundance of opportunities to compete with local leagues being run for Years 5-10. We enjoy regular success at both District and County Level and students regularly qualify for the finals of the National Preparatory Schools competition. We also have a proven track record in the English Schools’ AA Track and Field Cup for Junior and Intermediate age groups, qualifying for the regional rounds.

All students attend regular training sessions throughout the Summer Term regardless of previous experience or ability; making use of the onsite provision of a grass track, long jump pit and high jump bed. We take full advantage of the amazing facilities at the Bedford International Athletics Track that is right on our doorstep. We also continue these links with the Club and encourage girls of all ages, who are showing particular potential, to attend the plentiful and regular training sessions they run.

It also provides a fantastic foundation for lifelong fitness as well as improving mental focus, determination and resilience of character – qualities that transcend curricular and co-curricular sport and have a positive impact on general wellbeing.

We have an extremely successful team of Cross Country runners who compete in local and regional competitions. The school also has several students who have been selected to run in national competitions and a number of elite runners who have raced for England at international fixtures.

We run teams from Years 5-Upper Sixth in the Spring Terms, encouraging students to challenge their boundaries. Our students regularly qualify for the Regional Finals of the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships and have also made the National Finals in Bolton.

Kit List

Required:

• Damson shirt

• School shorts/skorts or athletic shorts

• White socks

• BGS tracksuit bottoms and layers required for travel to competitions

Optional:

• Athletics vest which is great for better weather conditions!

• Athletics spikes are not required for school use but when competing on synthetic tracks they are beneficial

Contact: Pippa Milton Pippa.Milton@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk