Let’s get physical

Epsom College’s Director of Sport, MICHAEL JOHNSON discusses the sports department’s e orts to create a broader o ering for girls, in the hope that it will inspire them to stay active for life

In recent years, our sports department has worked hard to build upon its o ering for girls, to encourage every pupil to feel inspired by sport and exercise from an early age, so that participating in physical activity becomes an enjoyable part of everyday life.

Epsom’s e orts in recent years have included large investments in state-of-the-art training facilities for our major girls’ sports, an increase in specialist-coaching expertise with the appointment of a host of former county and national players, and launch of an inspiring female industry speaker programme.

Our girls’ sports push was driven by a Sport England study that found by the time girls reach their mid-teens, only 10 per cent meet the recommended activity levels of 60 minutes every day. Now, I can detail how the college is bucking this worrying national trend to achieve exceptionally high participation rates, as well as success at the highest competitive level.

Epsom has invested heavily in girls’ sports in recent years. e college is one of only a handful of schools in the UK to have a professional▲grade, water-based AstroTurf, the same as those used at the Olympic

Epsom College benefits from having several experienced former pro hockey players in its sports department

EPSOM HAS HEAVILY INVESTED IN GIRLS’ SPORTS IN RECENT YEARS. The college is one of only a handful of schools in the UK to have professional-grade, WATERBASED ASTROTURF, THE SAME USED AT THE OLYMPIC PARK IN LONDON

PRESENTING YOUNG PEOPLE with a variety of options is key to enjoyment in sport. THERE ARE CURRENTLY MORE THAN 22 SPORTING ACTIVITIES ON OFFER AT EPSOM COLLEGE, SO EVERY INDIVIDUAL CAN FIND SOMETHING THEY ENJOY

Park in London. e Sports department also recently purchased a state-of-the-art AI performance camera to enhance the video capture and analysis of training and match scenarios for hockey, as well as live streaming of events.

Presenting young people with a variety of options is the key to enjoyment in sport. ere are currently more than 22 sporting activities on o er at Epsom, and with so much scope, every individual can nd something they enjoy. Prior to the Pandemic, 90 per cent of pupils in Year 11 and above participated in competitive sports xtures. In the junior years (years seven to 10) we o en see 100 per cent of pupils competing on pitches, elds, and courts across London and the south east.

In recent years, the college has made a number of signi cant appointments in the sports department, with several former county and national players bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to pupils. Led by myself, a double Olympian hockey player, these coaches work with pupils, passing on their rst-hand knowledge. ese superstar sporting veterans include:

• Sarah Cockayne – Hockey Coach. England

Masters – eight caps, England Mixed – two caps. Competed in the 2018 World Cup. • Jessie Knight – Athletics Coach. Silver in

European Indoor Championships 2021.

British Champion in 400m Hurdles. • Rose omas – Assistant Director of

Hockey. Welsh and GB International. More than 50 caps. • Damian Shirazi – Director of Cricket.

Links with Surrey County CCC, Essex

CC, and the London Schools Cricket

Association. Damian played professional cricket for Hampshire County CC and has representative honours with England

U19, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, MCC Young

Cricketers and the British Universities.

Female Old Epsomians are performing at the top level, inspiring the next generation. One of Epsom’s most successful sporting Old Epsomians is Natalie Sciver, who went on to captain England to victory in the Cricket ▲

Epsom College has an outstanding record in netball

Hockey is currently the main sport for girls at Epsom College

The college has its own three-bay driving range for golf, as well as ties with the Walton Heath course

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Epsom College has its own 25-metre pool

There are four girls’ cricket teams at the college

Netball is played throughout the school year

INSPIRING ROLE MODELS from across the competitive sporting sector WERE INVITED TO DELIVER TALKS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THEIR JOURNEY AND SUCCESS

World Cup in 2018. Natalie is an empowering and inspirational example for today’s pupils. Another former pupil, netballer Eboni UsoroBrown, was part of the national team to defeat Australia 52-51 to secure an historic gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Recent girls’ sporting success includes:

• Girls’ cricket representation – nine pupils competing at county level in 2020. • U14 Nationals Hockey – reached the

College’s first-ever Hockey National

Finals Day, having negotiated 10 previous matches against the best in the county and the south, the toughest region by far. • Shooters – lower sixth pupils were selected for Team GB’s Under 19 Rifle Shooting team and the British Cadet Rifle team.

Girls’ success is not confined to Epsom’s major sporting options. In fact, The Rugby Paper (August 2020) praised Epsom College’s rugby provision: ‘Between 50 and 60 girls play at the school and after Christmas, a programme of four or five Sevens tournaments provides the centerpiece of their season with a semi-final at Rosslyn Park last year.’

Part of the college’s strategy to engage girls with sport was an improved and more varied guest speaker programme. Inspiring role models from across the competitive sporting sector were invited to deliver talks and answer questions on their journey and success. A recent highlight of the programme was fourtimes Winter Olympian, Chemmy Alcott, the only British female skier to win a run in a World Cup.

Coaching, post-match analysis, diet and nutrition, strength and conditioning, firstclass on-site facilities, and strong links with professional clubs and local organisations: this school has everything in place for sport to be enjoyable and successful for all ages, abilities and personal preferences.

The philosophy at Epsom is to fuel a passion for sport in every child, regardless of ability, and to set the foundations for a healthy, active and fulfilling lifestyle beyond school.