Sporting
Success Autumn 2025
A message from the Directors of Sport
As the autumn term draws to a close, we celebrate the incredible achievements and enthusiasm shown by our students across Habs’ cocurricular sporting programme. This term has been packed with competitive fixtures and exciting opportunities, reflecting the breadth of sport available to every pupil.
At Habs, our PE vision is simple: we want every student to move, belong, and achieve. Through sport, pupils develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, and pride, qualities that extend far beyond the playing field. This term, our students have truly embodied these values, demonstrating the ‘Playing the Habs Way’ mentality in every activity.
Our badminton teams delivered outstanding performances, with the U16 squad winning the County Round of the National School Championships and qualifying for the National Finals in March. Trampolining saw record participation at the East Regional Competition, with 37 students competing, including, for the first time, students from the Boys' school. Several novice teams qualified for the zonal round, marking a historic achievement.
A major highlight was our first-ever Netball Tour to Dubai. The U16 team showcased skill and determination, winning three out of four matches and securing third place in a U19 tournament. Beyond the results, the tour offered invaluable international experience, strengthened friendships, and created lifelong memories.
The term’s standout occasion was our Under the Lights event at StoneX Stadium. Featuring lacrosse, rugby, and dance, it was a true celebration of school spirit. The 1st Team Lacrosse squad battled Caterham School under the floodlights, clinching a thrilling 6–5 victory. Both Senior and Middle School dance teams wowed the crowd during halftime with phenomenal performances, earning thunderous applause. It was an unforgettable evening for players, performers, and families alike.
Lizzie Wright Lauren Scott
A message from the Directors of Sport (continued)
We also launched our High-Performance Programme (HPP), focusing on holistic athlete development through nutrition talks, fitness workshops, and tailored guidance. Water Polo made its debut in the PE curriculum, alongside a new club, giving students fresh opportunities to challenge themselves and enjoy competitive aquatic sport.
The vibrancy of our school community shines through every fixture, trip, and event. We thank parents for their unwavering support and staff for their dedication and expertise. Together, we’ve created a term full of achievement and joy. We look forward to building on this momentum in the new year continuing to nurture well-rounded young people who excel academically, athletically, and personally.
Miss Wright and Miss Scott
The Habs Way
We are always well presented, articulate and act with kindness towards others.
We are fiercely competitive but always play and act with respect and sportsmanship.
We understand that everyone is learning and show empathy for others as we adopt a people first and everyone is welcome approach.
We show confidence without arrogance and take 100% responsibility.
We are always striving to be the best that we can be and expect to see excellence everywhere.
We encourage everyone involved to challenge unhelpful stereotypes, encourage allyship, demand a zerotolerance approach to bullying or behaviours which might belittle others, and support everyone in finding a safe place in which to enjoy physical activity.
Scholarship at Habs
Sports scholarships are awarded to 11+ and 16+ candidates in recognition of sustained sporting excellence, talent and future potential.
Candidates will be active members of their top ranked school sports teams and are likely to be involved in sporting clubs outside of school with representative experience or its equivalent at county level or above.
Outstanding skill, expertise or potential in any one or several sporting fields will be considered, but candidates are encouraged to show their potential in at least one of the focus sports at Habs.
Award holders will be ambassadors for sport who will make a full contribution to the sporting life of the school. Scholars will be allocated a mentor, who will encourage their sporting participation- in time, sports scholars will become mentors for younger award holders.
The value of a scholarship is usually between 10 to 15% of school fees (but can be up to a maximum of 25% in very exceptional circumstances). Scholarships are held for the duration of a student's time at the school, subject to sustained levels of progress, participation and performance.
Cross-Country
Badminton
Junior
Inter-House
Sport - Netball
Mrs Thomas Goodchild reports on an excellent first term of Netball.
Netball has had an incredible first term, with over 200 girls taking part across the week! Our players’ commitment to training has really shone through, and it’s been a thrill to see their hard work reflected on court. So far this season, we have competed in 102 fixtures, including friendlies, league matches, and cup games, with some truly memorable performances.
Our Year 7 and Year 9 A teams have both reached the quarter finals of the Sisters in Sport National Competition, while our Senior team has progressed to Round 3. We wish them luck for their next rounds.
Year 11 and Year 9 delivered outstanding recent victories against Sandringham, staying calm under pressure and winning by just one goal - an exciting testament to their skill and determination.
Sport - Netball
For the first time, we entered the highly competitive Highgate Netball Tournament, where our teams once again excelled. The U14A team finished 2nd, U14B placed 3rd, U15A narrowly secured 2nd by just one goal, and U15B came 3rd. Both U19 teams performed brilliantly, with U19A and U19B both finishing 5th in a tournament that featured some of the best schools in the country.
It has been an exciting term for netball, full of developing skill, teamwork, and impressive achievement across all year groups. Our players have shown real dedication in training and growing confidence in matches. With such strong momentum already, we can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds for all our teams!
Sport
Netball tour to Dubai
The U16 team embarked on what can only be described as the trip of a lifetime. After arriving, the girls headed straight out for some incredible sightseeing, starting at the iconic Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Spirits were high as they returned to the hotel to prepare for their first match against Dubai British School. Despite a slow start, understandable after an overnight flight and a touch of jet lag, the team dug deep and secured their first victory of the week.
Day two brought even more excitement as the girls spent the day at Aqua venture World, the largest waterpark on the planet, enjoying more than 105 thrilling slides. That evening, they faced King’s School in their second match. The team put on a fantastic performance, extending their winning streak in style. The next day was all about adventure and unforgettable memories: a relaxing morning at the beach followed by a desert safari, exhilarating dune bashing, camel rides, a delicious BBQ, and an evening show under the stars. Tournament day arrived with an early start to beat the heat. The team played six intense matches, earning a well -deserved spot in the semi-finals and finishing an impressive third overall. That evening, celebrations continued at Dubai Mall, where the girls enjoyed the famous fountain show and of course some shopping.
The final match of the tour took place in Abu Dhabi against the Manchester Thunder Academy. The girls battled hard, but a few small errors allowed the opposition to take a narrow four goal win.
As we look back, this truly stands out as one of our most memorable tours yet, filled with incredible experiences, outstanding teamwork, and moments the girls will never forget.
Sport – Football
Ongoing football growth and success for the girls – Mr Ayre
Participation in football has seen an increase this year, notably from our Year 7and 8 students at Open Training sessions. They have shown great enthusiasm and commitment each week.
The Year 7s had the opportunity to take a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground. They enjoyed a training session led by Spurs coaches at the club’s worldclass facilities.
This term we have introduced a senior team. In their first senior fixture they had a brilliant win against NLCS. Our U12, U13, and U15 squads have also been taking part in a variety of competitions including friendlies, Power League tournaments, the ESFA Cup, and the Watford District League.
We are excited for 2026 which will see more fixtures, and our first Girls’ School Football Tour to Valencia!
Sport – Lacrosse
Miss Wright reports on the highlights from an action-packed term of lacrosse.
This term has been an exciting one for lacrosse at Habs, with students from Year 7 through Year 13 fully embracing the sport. Across 11 Saturday block fixtures, over 200 pupils have been involved in our lacrosse program, showcasing skill, teamwork, and school spirit.
Our season kicked off with our first Lacrosse Festival on Saturday 13 September, where all teams had the chance to play in a fun, energetic environment. The day was made extra exciting with food trucks, music, and for our Year 7s, their first-ever block fixture, where pupils enjoyed a fantastic introduction to competitive lacrosse.
Building on this momentum, we took two lacrosse trips this term. Our first was an overnight trip to Exeter University for Year 10–13 students. The trip combined team bonding activities like bowling and pizza evenings, with an educational and inspiring morning lacrosse clinic led by university players. The students also toured the campus and completed a student questionnaire, gaining insight into university life, lacrosse pathways, and teamwork. The second trip was to Nottingham University, where students trained on 3G practice fields, met alumni, and even received a free branded foam roller. Many were inspired by the potential for sports scholarships and opportunities that come with pursuing lacrosse at a higher level.
Sport – Lacrosse
This term also saw our Seniors (1st, 2nd, 3rd teams) and the Year 10s (U15A and U15B teams) compete in their county tournaments. All five teams performed admirably, finishing 3rd in their pools. There were notable victories including against STAHS, St George's, Bedford, Haileybury, Abbot's Hill and Stowe, demonstrating the growing strength and depth of lacrosse at Habs. Finally, Habs had 22 players selected for the U15 and U19 Super Counties teams, a huge achievement, well done!
The U14s delivered a standout performance at the Heathfield Invitational Tournament, winning their pool matches and finishing second overall to earn silver medals. Their determination, teamwork and skill on display were outstanding.
This term has been packed with achievements, experiences, teamwork and excitement. Well done to all our players and teams. Thank you to all the parent supporters and spectators, here’s to 2026!
Sport – Lacrosse ‘Under The Lights’
Under the Lights at Stone X Stadium – A night to remember
Our first ever Under the Lights event at StoneX Stadium was nothing short of electric. We are very grateful for the donation and the opportunity to play at StoneX alongside the Boys’ Rugby program. From the moment the floodlights came on, the atmosphere was unmatched. The1st Team took the field alongside incredible performances from the Middle School and Senior School Dance Teams, setting the tone for a night full of community pride and unforgettable moments.
Habs struck early, with Ella L (Yr 13) opening the scoring, followed quickly by Aimee J (Yr 12) to give us a confident 2–0 lead in the first quarter. With standout defensive work and several key saves from Vaidika T (Yr 13), Habs kept Caterham scoreless for the first 20 minutes. But two quick goals just before halftime brought the score level at 2–2.
As the third quarter unfolded, the game became a showcase of grit, stick skill, sharp passing, and end-to-end pressure. Issy B (Yr 13) added Habs’ third goal, but Caterham responded and pushed ahead 5–3 going into the final stage. Still, Habs refused to backdown.
Sport – Lacrosse ‘Under The Lights’
The fourth quarter was all about resilience. Goals from Aimee J and Elin F (Yr 13) narrowed the gap, with Elin’s composed finish on a free position sending the stadium into a surge of noise as the game was tied 5–5. Then, with just 30 seconds on the clock, Jura A and Anna M combined brilliantly off the draw, moving the ball quickly up the field. In the final ten seconds, they found Elin F once more, who buried the winner, sealing an extraordinary 6–5 comeback victory for Habs.
It was a brilliant team performance all around, with several key turnovers forced by our defensive unit. Well done to the whole team, led by captains Elin F, Raameen A, and Emily G(Yr 13). It was an exciting, memorable game, and the team were outstanding Habs role models for future matches.
The halftime show was equally spectacular, featuring the thunderous Middle School and Senior School Dance Teams. The show was packed with talent, and skill. The crowd cheered as dancers executed backflips, tumbles, baskets, and more, culminating in impressive kick lines that had everyone on their feet. Well done to all involved in this fantastic event!
Sport
Swimming
Miss Godsave reports on the swim teams successes so far.
It has been a busy term for swimming at Habs, with our junior, inter, and senior teams taking part in a range of competitions. All three squads have been competing in the Herts League galas and are currently doing very well, aiming to stay within the top eight to qualify for the Herts League Final.
Our junior and inter teams also represented the school at the ESSA Regional Qualifiers at Watford Woodside, gaining valuable experience and showing solid teamwork throughout the event.
A highlight of the term was the District Gala, where both the junior and senior teams finished first in their categories, an excellent result that reflects the consistent effort shown during training.
Across all competitions, our swimmers displayed excellent commitment, determination, and competitiveness, producing strong performances in every race. We are extremely proud of their efforts and achievements and look forward to continuing this progress next term.
Sport – Cross Country
Miss Scott reports on a very positive start for cross country.
This term has seen some great performances from our cross -country athletes. The Junior and Inter teams proudly represented Habs in the ESAA Cross Country Cup, with the Inter Girls’ team finishing in 2nd place, earning qualification for the Regional Final at Dulwich College. At Dulwich, the team faced extremely tough conditions, including heavy rain and challenging terrain. Despite this, they showed incredible resilience and teamwork, delivering a brave and determined performance throughout the race.
In addition, students also took part in the District Cross Country, with teams from Year 7, the Junior team (Years 8 and 9), and the Inter Girls’ team (Years 10 & 11) all competing. Every team represented the school with pride, and once again, the Inter Girls’ team achieved an impressive 2nd place overall.
These results reflect the commitment and spirit of our athletes, and we look forward to building on this success as the season continues.
Sport – Badminton
Outstanding success for our badminton players – Mr Adams.
It has been a busy and successful term for our U13, U14, and U15 badminton teams, who have played some fantastic matches against schools across the county as part of the Herts Badminton League and competed in various tournaments.
As part of the League, our U14 and U15 teams took part in the Doubles Badminton Tournament, where Maya T (Year 10) and Srushti S (Year 10) were crowned U15 Hertfordshire League Doubles Champions, a brilliant achievement. Both the U14 and U16 teams also competed in the first round of the National Schools Championships at the start of November, finishing in 1st place and earning a spot in the County Round. In the County Round, the U14 team, consisting of Tanisha M (Y9), Trisha D (Y9), Manvi K(Y9), and Riya P (Y9) – played superbly to finish 3rd overall. Meanwhile, the U16 team, consisting of Srushti S (Y10),Maya T (Y10) , Abigail C (Y10),and Asha R (Y10), impressed throughout the day, finishing 1st place overall and securing their place at the National Schools Finals in March 2026, where they will represent Hertfordshire.
A brilliant set of results for all teams. We look forward to seeing how the U16 team performs at the National Finals in the Spring Term.
Sport – Gymnastics
Ms Burman reports on impressive results from our gymnasts.
This term the gymnastics squads have been working hard to perfect routines and vaults for competitions. We entered three teams in the ISGA 2 Piece Competition in November. Our Under 11 Boys finished 4th, the Under 9 Girls came 6th with Yauvani earning an individual medal for coming 6th overall and finally our Under 15 Girls team came 1st with Skye B (Y9) placing 4th and Sienna S (Y7) placing 2nd.
This was a great start to our competition year as all teams have qualified for the finals in the Spring Term. Habs will be entering U9, U11, U12, U13 and over 13 girls' teams and the boys will be entering as U11s.
Ellie J and Sienna S (Y7) competed in Disneyland Paris in October and came 3rd with their duo! They gave the routine all their skills and expertise that long hours in training have produced as well as a joy of performing and lots of pizazz!
Mia S (Y13) and Jessie S (Y10) also performed an entertaining duo to 'Anything you can do, I can do better' from Annie Get Your Gun, in Disneyland Paris too. They also came third in a hotly contested competition. These routines will be shown at our Gym and Dance Display in March.
Sport – Trampolining
Mrs Brazier reports on record-breaking success for the trampoline team.
In a landmark year for the school’s trampoline squad, success came in leaps and bounds at the regional round. With 37 competitors forming 9 teams, the largest entry in our history, the stage was set for an unforgettable day.
For many students, this was their first taste of competitive trampolining, yet you’d never have known it. Calm, focussed, and determined, they delivered what coaches hailed as the strongest opening round Habs has ever produced.
That early momentum carried through the day, resulting in an impressive collection of team podium finishes:
• U15 Girls Novice – 2nd place
• U19 Girls Novice – 2nd and 3rd place
• U19 Girls Intermediate – 3rd place
• U15 Boys Novice – 2nd place
• U19 Boys Novice – 1st place
Individual performances were just as inspiring, with 11 students earning top placements across their categories. Meanwhile, two of our senior athletes took on the challenge of the advanced section, a significantly higher level of difficulty, and only narrowly missed out on individual medals.
It was a day that showcased not only technical skill but also teamwork, composure, and sheer enthusiasm. With results like these, the trampoline team has set a new benchmark—and bounced confidently into the school’s sporting history.
Sport – Dance
An inspiring term: hard work and exciting opportunities – Miss Whistler.
We’ve had an amazing first term of Dance, with an incredible number of girls auditioning and being selected for six different dance squads.
All squads have now begun learning their routines for our Gym and Dance showcase on the 24th of March, and the enthusiasm in every rehearsal has been truly inspiring. The girls are working extremely hard, and this dedication is already shining through in the consistency and quality of their dancing.
Our Middle and Upper School Dance Companies were also given an incredible opportunity to perform at the 'Under the Lights' event at StoneX Stadium, taking to the field during halftime of both the Senior lacrosse and rugby matches. This was a spectacular evening and a brilliant platform for the dancers to showcase the routines they’ve been working so hard on. Opportunities like this highlight just how dedicated and talented our dancers truly are.
I am so excited for what this year has in store for Dance, the talent is through the roof, and this is only the beginning- well done girls!
Sport – Cricket, Rugby & Water Polo
Exciting new sporting frontiers emerging at Habs.
Cricket: Mr Hewitt
Girls’ cricket at Haberdashers Girls’ School continues to thrive, with over 50 students from Years 5 to 10 taking part in weekly Friday training sessions. The programme has fostered skill development, teamwork, and resilience, while providing a strong pathway for future school teams. With growing enthusiasm and plans to enter more local and regional tournaments, the success of girls’ cricket reflects the dedication of both students and staff and promises even greater achievements in the year ahead.
Rugby: Elin F (Yr13)
This Term has been an exciting milestone as we launched the school’s first ever girls’ rugby team at Habs. With support from the Boys’ School rugby coaches, the team has been training at lunchtimes and after school, working hard and showing incredible progress in a very short time. We also hope we can create a foundation for future girls to take part in rugby at Habs. We are now looking forward to the Rosslyn Park Sevens tournament in March, which is a very exciting opportunity to represent the school, and the team cannot wait for it!
Water Polo: Mr Brkovic
This term, we’ve seen fantastic progress in girls’ water polo. We started with a mixed Year 7 club, which had 10 girls signed up, and have since launched an U15 club with strong interest and regular weekly training. Numbers are growing steadily, with around 15 girls attending the Wednesday U15 session. The enthusiasm has been brilliant, and we’re now looking forward to our first fixtures against other schools – an exciting milestone for the team!
Sport – Junior School
Ms McFadzean reports on a busy term for the Junior School.
Gymnastics
The Gym Squad have worked exceptionally hard throughout the term, demonstrating excellent dedication and commitment during training sessions. The girls focused on developing strength, flexibility and control, while refining their routines and improving the precision of their skills across floor and conditioning work. The Under 9 squad enjoyed a highly successful ISGA competition, producing strong individual performances and showcasing excellent teamwork, discipline and support for one another throughout the event.
Swimming: ESSA Success and Galas Galore
The Swim Squad have made an excellent start to the year, with numerous opportunities to compete through a busy programme of galas across the term. Swimmers from Years 4–6 proudly represented Habs in the Division 10 Galas, delivering consistently strong performances. In addition, five members of the squad achieved outstanding success at the ESSA Championships, winning multiple medals and setting many personal bests.
Netball:
Another exciting first for the Junior School, this term all students from Years 3–6 had the opportunity to take part in a competitive netball match. Throughout these fixtures, the girls consistently demonstrated resilience, teamwork and determination, as well as a growing tactical understanding of the game. They played with excellent sportsmanship, strong communication and real pride, truly embodying the “Habs way” both on and off the court.
Sport
Junior School
Rugby: Grace Crompton Visit
The Junior School were incredibly fortunate to welcome Olympian Grace Crompton current Harlequins and Great Britain rugby player into school this term. The girls were introduced to the fundamentals of the sport through a fun and energetic tag rugby session, which they thoroughly enjoyed. They were truly inspired by Grace’s sporting journey, as well as the motivational assembly she delivered, which highlighted resilience, dedication and the importance of striving for personal bests. We are now very much looking forward to launching our new Tag Rugby club next term, building on the excitement and enthusiasm she sparked across the school.
Table Tennis
This year marked the launch of our very first Table Tennis squad, who have already enjoyed great success, securing qualification through both the district and county rounds. The girls now progress to the regional finals in February – an exciting milestone for the team!
Football: BPSFA District Champions and IAPS Success
The Under 11 Football team have enjoyed a highly successful first term, despite it being their off-season, becoming district champions and achieving an excellent placing at the IAPS Football tournament in Portsmouth, where they faced strong opposition from a range of competitive schools. Next term promises to be equally exciting, with highlights including the Year 6 trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground, along with a full programme of fixtures and further tournament opportunities for the squad.
Inter House Sport
Interhouse sport is so important at Habs because it brings our school community together; it’s the time when our houses go head-to-head in friendly sporting competition, helping students build teamwork, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging.
house cross country results
With special mention to the top 5 runners in middle school:
1st Amelia H Yr9- 6.36
2nd Rio K Yr8- 6.49
3rd Saanvi D Yr9- 6.54
4th Ella C Yr9- 7.09
5th Kika T Yr9- 7.14
Final Thank You
A huge thank you to all the amazing staff for their hard work and dedication this term. The sporting successes and fun our students have enjoyed wouldn't be possible without their commitment and support.
With massive thanks to:
Netball: Mrs Thomas-Goodchild, Mrs Brownlie, Miss Scott, Miss
Micthell, Miss Dharmawardene, Mr Keys, Dr Bridge, Mrs Benjamin
Lacrosse: Miss Wright #1, Miss Wright #2, Miss Mills, Miss Mann, Miss Aldcroft, Miss Scott
Football: Mr Ayre, Mr Montgomery, Dr Silverman, Mr Martin
Swimming: Miss Godsave
Dance: Miss Whistler
Trampolining: Mrs Brazier
Gymnastics: Ms Burman
Badminton: Mr Adams
Rugby: Elin Fielden, Mr Metcalfe
Water Polo: Mr Brkovic
Cross Country: Miss Scott
Cricket: Mr Hewitt, Mr McIntosh
Junior School: Miss McFadzean, Miss McDonald, Mrs Gibson, Mrs Prendergast, Miss Dharmawardene
