A Message from the Director of Sport
Dear Parents and Guardians,
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the Habs Boys Spring Sport Success Newsletter and to reflect on a term that has so clearly embodied the spirit and ambition of sport at Habs. Our collective dream is simple: dream big, achieve success, be happy, healthy, develop character and to have a positive impact in the world. From Pre-Prep to the Senior School, this guiding vision informs everything we do. Our aim is that every member of our student body, regardless of their pathway or ability level, can access this dream through meaningful engagement in sport.
This term, Hockey in the Senior School and Football in the Prep School have shaped our block fixtures, giving students regular opportunities to challenge themselves, represent the school, and strengthen their sense of teamwork and resilience. Alongside our focus sports, our performance programmes have continued to thrive. Athletics began the term strongly with the U15 and U17 indoor county championships; our senior badminton team progressed to the national finals; our squash team came heartbreakingly close to national silverware; and our cross-country athletes continued their committed and determined efforts. The Habs Prep swim team secured qualification for national finals in Sheffield, and our U15 water polo team achieved an impressive second place in the U15 national finals. Complementing these achievements, our senior cricket squad toured India while the Prep School have embarked on what I am sure will be a hugely successful cricket tour to Barbados, both experiences offering invaluable cultural and sporting development.
While these accomplishments are a testament to the depth and quality of Habs sport, it is equally important to recognise the vibrancy of participation across the school. The continued engagement in the Habs Dash, culminating in more than 350 senior school students taking part in the GivingDash, speaks volumes about our community’s enthusiasm for physical activity. Our sports clubs remain full to capacity, with more than 80 running each week, and we are increasingly seeing pupils take the initiative to organise their own charity sporting events, including a particularly successful charity football tournament. Most of all, there is something uniquely uplifting about stepping into our sports facilities during co-curricular time and witnessing the joy, energy, and camaraderie that physical activity fosters among our students.
Two moments stand out especially for me this term. The first is the U13 football team winning the ISFA National Final. Beyond the outstanding result, their journey demonstrated remarkable resilience, teamwork, and determination as they overcame setbacks, protected leads, and grew together as a cohesive unit. The second is the GivingDash, which has grown from a simple idea into a major celebration of community spirit, with extraordinary participation across the school. I would like to express my sincere thanks to our students and parents for their support throughout the term, and a particular note of gratitude to our dedicated staff, whose commitment ensures that every student enjoys a rich and rewarding sporting experience.
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and I look forward to seeing many of you on a boundary, court side, or at an athletic track this summer.
With best wishes,
Mr Peter Pickford
Acting Director of Sport and Head of Sports Science
Scholarship at Habs
Sports scholarships are awarded to 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.
The Habs Way
Our Dream: Enabling all to FLOURISH through Habs sport. Dream big, achieve success, be happy, healthy and develop character and to have a positive view of the world which leads to a profound impact in society.
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 are always striving to be the best that we can be and expect to see excellence everywhere
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 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
Stats infographic
Head of Hockey Foreword and Team
Summaries
Mr Cooper and team captains highlight a hugely successful Hockey term for Habs Boys
As the hockey season concludes, it is important to recognise the substantial achievements realised throughout the term. Despite it being a shorter than usual term, it was no less busy. In total, 152 matches were played, with 16 teams consistently fielded on Saturdays. This equates to nearly 200 students representing the school with pride week in, week out. The season encompassed 72 hours of co-curricular training and 45 games afternoons, all made possible through the dedication of colleagues in the PE department and the wider school community. The unwavering commitment demonstrated by students remains the primary motivation for our continued support and involvement and long may it continue. 295 days until the start of the 26/27 season.
With best wishes,
Mr David Cooper Head of Hockey
U18A – Charlie (U6J2)
After a delayed start to the season due to both frosty pitches and year 13 exams, the school 1st team got underway with some well fought losses against tough local teams such as Merchant Taylors and Watford Grammar School. In these first 4 fixtures we saw only glimpses of the style and tenacity of hockey that we set out to play across the season, with our deep zonal press causing the opposition real problems when trying to play out the back.
Moving onto to February, we continued our run into the National Plate with a resounding 2-0 home win over Forest School - with both 2nd half goals provided by Drag Flicker, eventual top goalscorer, and Co-Captain Alex Browne. This was followed up by an away trip to high level opposition in Magdalen College. Going in at half time just one -nil down was a testament to the level of belief and ability shown by the entire team that day, with the match ending 4-0. We learnt a lot from this game, especially in terms of how to adjust and battle against such a well-drilled and individually technical opposition that Magdalen have always been. The 1st Spring Half Term ended with a disappointing 2-1 away loss to Hitchin School - knocking us out of the National Plate in the Regional Quarter Finals.
We came back into the Spring Term after the break with a newfound motivation for the last 6 games of the Upper Sixth's school hockey career. A whole squad meeting re-cemented the ideas and goals that we had originally set, which was promptly followed up by a confident 3-0 win over Merchant Taylors. They left that day with a stark reminder to never send their U16 squad to us ever again, even if they did manage to injure the young star in Joseph Lyons, rendering him unavailable for the next year and a half. The team had finally found their rhythm, only taking nearly 2 months to do so. Next up was a St Albans away day, and after some dodgy decisions that VAR would have given as a goal instead upon review, a close 1-1 draw was played out - with even the St Albans coach pointing out how difficult we were to break down as a defensive unit, showing the continued effort of the "core six" players at training every week. A repeat of our earlier National Cup win was on the cards, with Forest proving no match for the squad as we overcame a 2-1 deficit at Half Time to end the match 4-2, embodying the spirit and courage of our players to continue to perform despite the circumstances. The team continued to go from strength to strength, controlling our next game away against Bancroft's School, finally breaking their banks and scoring 4 goals in quick succession just after the Half Time mark, even if we were incredibly guilty of running into their best players flat stick time and time again (special mention to Harman and Charlie for that). Going into the last week of the season, momentum was firmly on our sidehaving gone unbeaten in the last 4 matches prior. This momentum was short lived, allowing a pretty average Bishops Stortford side to cruise past us - not helped by going down 4-0 inside the first quarter. This provided the best lesson for the team of what not to do, going into the last game of the season against our big local rivals from just up the roadAldenham.
Head of Hockey Foreword & Team
Summaries
The last school career game for around half of our 1st Team squad was played under the beautiful backdrop of both lovely weather and a glorious sunset, but also the immediately rejected attempt by Mr Pickford to amp up the atmosphere with his triple speaker setup while we tried to take an attacking short corner. The rest of the first half was a tense affair, with neither team wanting to overcommit and end up exposed by a quick counter.
We came into the break with the score 0-0, regrouping as positional sets to find out what we needed to do to win this game. Finding more outcomes within the opposition D proved crucial, with Alex Browne saving us once again with a drag flick to take the lead. Defensive masterclasses from Saaj, Pavi, and Shay allowed us to secure a memorable win to cap off a truly special season for all those involved.
A massive thanks of course goes to Mr Cooper for his continued support as well as John and Martin for all their help in training each week. As well as this, I would like to thank those in the Upper Sixth for their hard work and contribution, not just this season, but in the last 6 years as well. Continue playing hockey wherever you go off to University in the coming months.
As Co-Captain of this team for the past year, I would like to wish huge successes to the team for next year as they continue creating legacy at Habs.
18B – Roshan (U6J1)
The 2nd XI Hockey Team experienced a season that provided us with opportunity to grow and mature as a team. Whilst the results have been mixed, the overall trajectory of the team was upwards, with our development as a team growing drastically as the season progressed. Whilst early in the season a new team with unfamiliar faces presented its challenges, with players still finding their feet in a new hockey season, and the whole team adapting to a new style of play. However, as confidence grew, increasing teamwork and morale helped to deliver some great results, including a 7-1 victory over harrow and a 4-0 victory away at Forest.
Overall, the team has been able to learn valuable lessons, particularly the value of clear communication and being able to remain consistent across the whole match. Players became more aware of key positioning and the need to support one another, which led to more positive experiences in our matches, no matter what the result was. Another key area of growth the team saw was resilience. Together, we have been better able to adapt in response to challenges, which was shown when playing Bishops Stortford. Despite a 2-0 loss, the team fought hard with a continuous back and forth game, which remained 0-0 till the 59th minute. Unfortunately, a lucky break gifted Bishops Stortford the win, but the match highlighted clear improvements in the way we played as a team and marked a strong end to the season. The Habs 2nd XI hockey team ended the 2026 season having played eight matches, with three wins, one draw, and four losses. A key thank you must be given towards Miss Willows, who helped coach and shape the team throughout the season.
16A – Ahren (11J1)
The U16 A-team started the season with a valiant effort against a strong Merchant Taylors side. Although the game finished 3-1, it did not reflect the effort the team put in, working very hard until the end without the relief of any substitutes. This game also included our first player on the scoresheet, Aidan Chuah, who made his way from centre back into the D late in the second half to snatch himself a goal.
Our next game was against Forest School in the National Cup, which we played at the Lee Valley National Hockey Centre. This was an incredible experience and, despite the 5–1 loss, we learnt much about working more as a unit and improving our defensive shapes.
Hockey Team Summaries
After a string of losses, our first triumph came in the form of a 7–2 win over Cranmore School in the National Plate, with goals coming from Alex Feldman, James Burkeman, Eesa Dawreeawoo, George Wang, and Ryan Meredith, putting us into the next round. We showed defensive resilience and demonstrated that we had learned from earlier losses in the season, with both Ben Pincus and Krish Hirani putting in strong shifts at fullback. The day after, we played Hitchin Boys at home. This was a tight match, reflected by the 2–1 scoreline, and although we gave it our all, we couldn’t push the result in our favour. We had a lot to learn from this close game, which we could use moving forwards. Thanks go to players such as Rohaan Chopra, who stepped in to help us in this game.
In our penultimate game, we played Merchant Taylors again, this time finishing 6–1 in our favour, marking the improvement we saw throughout the season. Goal scorers in this game included Chu Ononogbu, Alex Feldman, George Wang, and Atharv Sharma, with Aron Hertzberg covering as goalkeeper at the other end, preventing goals against us. Closing off the season, we played Claremont in a tense 3–3 game, which concluded in a 4–2 loss in a penalty shoot-out. Commendation goes to Hamza Mehrali, Noah Naftalin, Ryan Meredith, and Chu Ononogbu for taking the penalties, as well as Drew Patel for saving one.
Our season concluded with 2 wins and 5 losses, and although we may not have achieved the results we wanted, we still showed our ability to always show up and play our hockey. We have all seen improvement throughout the season, notably from Harrison Lock and Will Hedges. As we look to push on to senior hockey teams, we thank Mrs Willows, Mr Cooper, and Mr Wright for the coaching and training they gave us, as well as the wisdom that was bestowed upon us through Eesa’s gallant team talks before every match.
15A – Kanishk (10R1)
Our first fixture of the season, against Merchant Taylors, resulted in a hard-fought 2-2 draw. Key development points identified from this match included improving our clinical finishing in the D and link up play through the midfield. Overall, it represented a solid and encouraging start to what would become a very successful season.
As the season progressed, it became increasingly evident that our overall athleticism was a major strength, enabling us to dominate possession against sides such as Chigwell and Harrow. We were truly tested against Magdalen in an exceptionally intense encounter, where our counter-attacking play showed clear improvement, as reflected by sustained pressure in their D. However, we were still hampered by several missed opportunities in front of goal.
In response, the team put in significant effort during subsequent training sessions, and this commitment was reflected in a series of strong performances in the following fixtures. Despite this, the physical demands of the season gradually began to take their toll and, as Mr Kerry memorably put it, there were moments where we played as though we had “a hangover”. Nevertheless, we remained focused and continued to work hard, securing several comfortable victories while also learning valuable tactical lessons – particularly the importance of switching play in attack and staying patient and organised in defence – during two challenging matches against Forest.
A major highlight of the season was our outstanding performance in the Area Cup, where we finished as Runners-Up. By this stage, it was clear how much we had developed as a team, consistently demonstrating our ability to play highquality hockey. This was particularly evident in our impressive comebacks against Bishop Stortford and Aldenham.
Overall, it has been a fantastic season, with a commendable 10 victories and 60 goals across the season and much else to be proud of. Looking ahead, we aim to continue developing our positional play and maintain the high intensity that has defined our performances this year. And with a bit of luck, and perhaps a few extra finishing drills; we might even start putting away a greater proportion of the many chances we create.
Hockey Team Summaries
15B – Rahul (10J1)
Our season didn’t start off the way we imagined. Facing a heavy 6-1 defeat to Merchant Taylors, our rivals, acted as a wake-up call for the team to attend every training session, and not just to show up, but to play with their full intensity. This shift in work ethic clearly paid off, as we followed that game up with an extremely comfortable 10-0 win against Harrow School, hugely increasing the spirit and moral of the team.
The middle of the season saw many ups and downs, as we tested out consistency. However, much later in the season, another prominent 9-1 victory over St Albans School showed that when our intensity was high, we were a formidable side.
Throughout these months, two players stood out for their immense improvement: Aran Khare and Kian Kothary. Their dedication to crossing the ball into back post showed in the team’s overall trajectory. Special mention must also go to Rahul Shah, earning the top goal scorer of the season.
Our hard work was put on display in our final match against local rivals, Aldenham School. We came into the game feeling confident, however quickly realised we would need more patience for this match. Aran Khare scored a lastminute goal, finishing the match with a 1-0 victory, rounding off the season on a high.
U14A – Manav (9C2)
The U14As started the season brilliantly with a brilliant cup win in shuffles. The team built strong momentum from their victory which they used to achieve successful results during their entire season under the direction of Mr Howgego. The team went on achieve an impressive victory against Felsted in the National cup when they won 3-1.
The boys had continuous improvement throughout the season, developing their passing connections and out letting while also learning how to execute a zonal press in a better organised and effective way. The loss against Wellington College ended our National cup run, but it taught us valuable lessons about handling pressure while playing out from the back. The team had a successful end of the season by winning their last match 3-0. For future, the team will aim to focus on three areas to improve which include: improving their outletting, becoming more threatening in the final third and improving their ability to win short corners.
14B – Aayush (9C1)
This term’s hockey season has been both highly positive and deeply rewarding for the U14B team. Through competitive matches, regular training sessions, and ongoing team development, players experienced significant progress both on and off the pitch.
The season began with considerable challenges, as the team lacked cohesion due to inconsistent training attendance. While some players were fully committed, others did not attend regularly or did not push themselves during sessions. This inconsistency was evident in the first match of the season, which resulted in a heavy 10–1 loss to Merchant Taylors. Although disappointing, this defeat served as a wake-up call and motivated the team to take training more seriously and aim for higher standards.
Following this initial setback, the team responded with a 1–1 draw against Watford Boys. Despite the opposition being relatively weak, it was clear that the team had started to implement strategies and drills practiced during training. The next few fixtures were closely contested, with several narrow one-goal losses and 2-2 draws. These matches, despite not always ending in victory, reflected some of the best hockey produced by the team at this stage of the season, showing early signs that the players were beginning to work as a cohesive unit rather than as individuals.
Hockey Team Summaries
A turning point came at the start of the second half of the season with an excellent 5-0 win against Forest. This match showcased the progress made in training, with strong teamwork, fluid passing, and effective use of width that allowed the team to stretch the opposition and create multiple attacking options. The improvement continued, though the subsequent midweek match against Bancroft, despite ending in a 1-0-win, exposed weaknesses in discipline and structure. The team attempted to play too much through the middle, contrary to what had been practiced, and the performance was below the expected standard. However, thanks to alert defending, the team secured the victory, learning an important tactical lesson in the process.
From that point onwards, the team entered a strong phase of the season. A hard-fought 3-2 away win at Bishop’s Stortford College demonstrated perseverance and teamwork, particularly after conceding. The final match of the season, against local rivals Aldenham, was a dominant performance from start to finish. An early goal from a short corner set the tone, boosting confidence and momentum, and the team-maintained control throughout, resulting in a 5-0 victory. It was a fitting and satisfying conclusion to an increasingly successful season.
Training throughout the term played a vital role in the team’s development. These sessions allowed players to refine their technical skills, improve fitness, and develop a stronger understanding of tactics and teamwork. Beyond physical improvements, being part of the hockey team encouraged personal growth, boosting confidence, discipline, resilience, and social connections. One of the most significant outcomes of the season was the development of a strong team spirit. As the term progressed, players supported and encouraged one another consistently, helping to create an inclusive and motivating environment that contributed greatly to the team’s improved performance.
Overall, the U14B hockey season was eventful, challenging, and ultimately highly successful. Despite a difficult beginning, the team demonstrated impressive improvement and finished the season with confidence and cohesion. The experience combined athletic growth with personal development and a strong sense of teamwork. It is hoped that the squad will carry the same dedication, passion, and unity into next year’s season.
13A – Misha (8C)
This season, the U13A's have significantly progressed as a team in many ways. We started our season with a thunderous 8-2 win against next-door neighbours, Aldenham and in that game, we displayed resilience, teamwork, strength, and sportsmanship. Afterwards, we knew that this would be a great season. We then beat Chigwell in a 3-2 win and with our next fixture being a small tournament at Watford Grammar, we had to keep the resilience going. The tournament was action packed, despite there only being 2 games which we drew and won. However, the next 2 games were not easy. We faced Hitchin, against whom we suffered a heavy loss, and Magdalen which was even worse. We, as a team, were starting to doubt ourselves. Although the two losses set our spirits and hopes back, we had a great 6-0 win against St Albans after half term. Coming up was the area cup. We faced Forest school's B team and A team, Highgate, and UCS, and after a long day of non-stop action, we finished off with only one close loss, meaning we qualified for regionals at Kingston Grammar. We knew we needed to play our best hockey at this upcoming tournament.
The Saturday after the Area Cup, we faced Forest again and we had yet another close loss. The Monday after the Forest match, we beat Bancroft's school 3-1 and the next day, we had regionals. We arrived focused and ambitious with our first fixture being against King's College School, Wimbledon. We won the game 1-0 and this boosted our confidence for the next three games we had. These were against Whitgift, St Dunstan's, and Emanuel, which ended in two losses and one win. We were of course disappointed as a team, but we were so proud that we got that far.
Overall, the U13A's was a great experience this season, and as a team we gained aspects like better communication, skills on the pitch, teamwork, and understanding of the game. Next season, we are looking forward to playing full pitch, widening our skills range even more, and most importantly, learning from our mistakes.
Hockey Team Summaries
13B – Dhruv (8M)
We had a rocky start, losing our first couple of matches, passes were disjointed and we were trying to use our back stick too much, leading to the loss of possession. However, as the season went on, we were starting to play some good hockey. This showed through our ability to make clear and precise passes and scoring finish the play with high quality goals. A memorable result was when we won 3-0 against Forest School, a very good hockey side, and we dominated the game.
A valuable lesson learnt over the course of the season is sticking to our strengths and targeting opponents' weaknesses. This is shown by using our front stick and targeting the opponents back stick. One area we will be looking to improve is our finishing as we created a lot of great chances, but we weren't able to finish them off.
12A – Oli (7S)
This season, the Year 7 A team have had an amazing start – not only winning many matches but going to a regional tournament in Tier One. We have developed and grown not just as individuals, but as a team. The improvement from the start of this term has been outstanding, with many players new to the game being more understanding about it and learning new skills like how to hit or slap. As a group, we have learned to back each other and pass rather than always taking on the defender ourselves. This team mentality will make us even stronger and better for next year. For next season we should aspire to become better hockey players, we can do this by attending the available sessions next term and working on our fitness.
12B – Seb (7J)
The Year 7 Hockey B team started off the season a bit rocky with people finding the positions which best suited them and those that didn’t. Also, because many of the players had not ever played before, we were still trying to figure out the best tactics for the team. But as the season progressed the team started to find their rhythm and understand the game. After playing in the Area Cup and reflecting on it back at school, we learnt to outlet on the right and the movement of the ball.
The next couple of games we really started to play like a proper team by supporting each other on and off the ball whilst having more of a tactical understanding. As the season was drawing to a close, there was a shuffle of players. The new additions really made a difference and helped to end the season on a high by finishing with a great 5-3 victory against Watford Grammar School. Hopefully, the big ending sets us up for next year where we will continue to strive by progressing as a team and individually. Overall, it was a season of learning and to be greatly proud of.
Rugby Sevens
Mr Metcalfe reports on our improving Rugby Sevens programme
Despite the horrendous weather, which put paid to the original Habs Rugby 7s Festival week, we did manage to run a full Sevens programme this term.
The sport of Rugby Sevens arguably suits the physical attributes of our students more than the full 15 a side version of the game as evasion, pace and skill are the prerequisites for success rather than sheer brawn and size. This has brought more students over from other games options and the athleticism of our Rugby Sevens squads has certainly improved as a result. This is particularly the case at Year 8, where a number of our A team footballers have chosen to play rugby Sevens this term.
At the junior end of the school, the Year 7 students have been committed to attending training, but we currently lack the playing experience within the squad to fully understand the nuances of the game. I hope that this will improve as they watch the game more often. A fairly lacklustre performance in the re-arranged Habs festival event was a disappointing way to end a term of genuine dedication to training and games sessions.
The Year 8 squad has certainly gained in pace and understanding this term and we can now field a squad of some promise, partly due to the arrival of the forementioned footballers. Whilst tackling remains a weakness, the students showed their obvious potential by losing only one game in the recent Hertfordshire Sevens U13 plate competition. This squad will go the prestigious Rosslyn Park Sevens tournament after the end of term.
The Year 9 squad, under the guidance of Mr Taberner, has also shown improvement this term. They played very well at Cheshunt RFC, showing pace on the flanks and some good decision making in the middle of the field. We were, however, exposed in the Habs Sevens having come up against some traditionally strong Rugby Sevens playing schools and it is hoped that the Rosslyn Park draw may be kinder to us.
The Year 10 group lack numbers, and we have struggled to field a squad made up entirely from the Rugby Sevens games option. This resulted in some students having to be chosen from other games groups for the re-arranged Habs Sevens event. Whilst we can admire their efforts on the day, it is very difficult to shape a team without regular practice, and this group will benefit hugely from the increase in numbers playing rugby during senior games sessions next year.
Our U16 squad is most definitely our flagship Sevens group. Having got through to the second day of Rosslyn Park two years ago, this group has been ear marked since then as being the squad that could put the school on the national map. A very challenging draw at Rosslyn Park (Sedbergh, Eton and Reading Blue Coat) will certainly test us but we have the pace and wherewithal to surprise a few folk. The squad was mightily unlucky to miss out on the Herts U16 Sevens title, agonisingly losing to Haileybury in the semi-final.
The U18 squad has been shorn of the pace of our U16 players, and the group has struggled to score tries from distance as a result. Our build up play has been sound, however; retaining the ball for long periods and I hope that the smaller pitches of Rosslyn Park will help us next week. The squad contains a number of students who have given a huge amount to rugby over their years in the school, and I would like to thank them for their extensive contribution to the sport at Habs.
Student Focus: Ore (U6J1)
How the Habs Rugby Programme allowed Ore to thrive on the bigger stage
Ore is currently in Year 13 at Habs Boys. He is a very talented sportsman who also excels in the academic space as well. He was asked a variety of questions about his studies as well as his sporting achievements on the rugby field.
What level are you currently playing at? And where?
I currently play academy/semi-professional for Saracens RFC.
What does a week of training look like for you?
Typically, I train 4 times a week: Monday 5:15 to 8:30 in the evening (rugby and gym), Wednesday 5:15 to 8:30 in the evening (rugby and gym), Friday morning 7:45 to 10:00 (rugby and gym), and another day of gym where I can fit it in the week
Proudest moment in your sporting career so far?
My proudest moment so far is probably scoring a hat trick for Saracens against Harlequins when I got recognition from professional players such as Andy Christie (Saracens and Scotland international) and Maro Itoje (Saracens, England and British and Irish Lions Captain). As well as playing up a year into the U18s for Saracens when I was U17 to play Paarl Boys, a strong south African side. Outside of rugby, it would have to be when I competed at Nationals in high-jump, where I placed third in the country.
Proudest moment at Habs Boys so far?
My proudest moment at Habs was most certainly the National Bowl Run in which we finished third, losing out narrowly in the National Semi-Final at Hill House School. Despite the result it was a brilliant run out with the team. In addition, another proud moment at Habs Boys was when I jumped a personal best of 2.00 metres at X-Stone Stadium on Sports Day.
Student Focus: Ore (U6J1)
What are your A-Level choices? Have you received any University offers, if so, where?
I study Philosophy, Theology and French as well as studying Classical Civilisation. I’m currently in possession of offers from Cambridge University, Bristol University, University of Durham, Exeter University and Kings College London University.
How have you been able to balance your sporting and academic commitments?
To manage both academic and sporting commitments I try to create clear boundaries between the two. For example, if I have training in the evening I try not to work, as well as vice versa, if I have a free day, I dedicate it to work. Obviously, it involves me being very flexible and adapting to the changing conditions which I believe has made me more proactive and diligent to balancing both.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time (academically and sporting)?
Hopefully in 5 years time I will have graduated from Cambridge and be playing fully professional rugby at Saracens or another top tier club.
Advice you would give to aspiring student athletes?
Don’t get caught up in sporting pathways. The path to professional sport isn’t always linear and it’s essential you don’t put all your eggs in one basket. No matter how good you are, academics are still important in the case of an injury or any other unfortunate events that could stop you from competing.
Aquatics
Mr Brkovic and Miss Godsave headlines a busy term of Aquatics
Water Polo
The programme delivered an outstanding term across all squads.
U18A finished 5th in the London League – missing national top 6 by a single goal difference – with a solid 5 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss record including a London Schools B Final victory (5th overall). U16A secured 3rd in London League U16s (5W 1D 3L), highlighted by early home triples and A Final experience.
U15A shone in ESSA National Cup, going unbeaten through Round 1 (4W) and Semi Finals (3W) to qualify for the top 6 nationally. U14A dominated London League unbeaten (6W), with clean sheets against City of London, Whitgift and others. U13A kicked off ESSA National Cup perfectly in Round 1 (4W at home), advancing to Round 2 post-Easter.
Younger teams showed remarkable depth in national cups, while seniors claimed key London podiums. Home advantage, resilience in tight matches, and clinical finishing were season hallmarks.
Swimming
It has been a busy and successful spring term for the Habs swimming team, with a full programme of galas providing regular opportunities for competitive racing and team development.
The highlight of the term came in the Herts League Finals. The team performed consistently well across all five league fixtures, securing a place in the final across all age groups. The Senior Boys finished 7th, the Inter Boys also secured 7th place, and the Junior Boys produced a particularly strong performance to finish 5th. These results are a clear indication of the strength and depth across the programme.
At Year 7 level, it has been encouraging to see such a strong start to competitive swimming. Across the two London League galas, the boys finished an impressive 6th overall once combined scores were calculated. This is an excellent achievement and reflects both their enthusiasm and the promising talent coming through.
Overall, this has been a very positive term, marked by steady improvement, strong team spirit, and growing confidence in competition. The squad is well placed to build on this progress in the seasons ahead.
Water Polo Feature: U15 Nationals
Mr Brkovic reports on a fantastic achievement for our 15A Water Polo Team
Our U15 water polo team has enjoyed an outstanding season that began three months ago with a perfect group stage in the National Cup Round 1, defeating Queen Elizabeth's Barnet (6-2), Warwick (6-3), Whitgift (2-1), and Bedford (11-0) on the same remarkable day. They continued their dominant run through the semi-final tournament in February, securing home wins over St Paul's (7-1), King Edward's Birmingham (3-2), and Colfe's (7-1) to advance to the National Finals.
On March 18th at the finals day, the boys topped their group with thrilling victories against Bolton School (4-3) and Whitgift (2-1), before powering past Dulwich College 5-1 in the semi-final crossover. In a heartbreaking final against Northampton School for Boys, they led until the final two minutes but fell 3-2, earning well-deserved silver medals as National Runners-Up. Finishing with 11 wins and just 1 loss across 12 matches, this achievement reflects the team's resilience, skill, and exceptional commitment
Badminton
Dr Chapman reports on the ever-increasing Habs Badminton community with plenty of individual and team success
The main highlight in Badminton this term has been the success of the U16 Badminton team in the national tournament. The team of George, Sharanjan, Avighnan, Adi and Rohan became County Champions at the very end of the Autumn term, which also meant they progress through to the East of England Regional finals at Cambridge University this term, where they faced the other county champions for the region. The team looked comfortable in the first matches, winning each without dropping a game. In the final match against Cambourne each of the 5 games were tight affairs, and both teams knew what was on the line. The Habs team stepped up to the challenge and took the match 3-2, and therefore remaining unbeaten through the day. They now progress to the national finals at the end of March, hosted by Badminton England in Milton Keynes.
The interhouse badminton competition also continued, with the Middle School year groups looking to secure Crossman points. In the Year 8 tournament, Hendersons came through on top with Russells just behind. The Year 7 tournament, was hard fought too, and noisy! Meadows came through with the win, with Joblings just taking 2nd over Russells and Hendersons. Full results for all year groups below. With all the results in, Russells just snatched the trophy from Hendersons. With equal number of points from the ranking, Russells won a handful of more games over the course of the competition. Congratulations to the Russells team!
Squash
Mr Cooper reports on the continued success of our Squash players
National School Squash Semi-Finals
The second half of the season brought a heightened sense of anticipation as all three teams progressed to the National School Squash semi-finals, marking the climax of their competitive journey.
KS3 Team Performance
The KS3 team undertook a challenging away fixture at Bedford School, where they faced formidable opponents in Reading School and St Joseph’s College. Led by Ellie, who set the tone for the team, they engaged in a closely contested match against Reading School but narrowly missed out on victory. However, they demonstrated resilience by defeating Bedford School, securing a much-needed win. Their final group match against St Joseph’s College proved to be a significant challenge, and despite their efforts, the strength and depth of St Joseph’s ultimately proved insurmountable for the team.
KS5 Team’s Efforts
Entering the semi-finals with confidence, the KS5 team believed they could spring a surprise. They were grouped with Merchant Taylor’s, Brentwood, and John Hampden. The team started strongly, achieving impressive wins over both MTS and Brentwood. The decisive match for a place in the final was against John Hampden. Despite a valiant and determined performance, the team narrowly missed out, falling just short of reaching the final.
KS4 Team’s Journey to the Final
The KS4 team displayed dominance throughout their semi-final encounters, comfortably overcoming both Brentwood and Bradfield College. Their victories secured them a place in the finals, which were held at the prestigious Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham. In the finals, the team continued their strong form with a convincing win over Barnard Castle School and showcased their tenacity by battling hard to defeat Truro, thus earning a place in the final match.
National Plate Final
In the final, the KS4 team’s top two seeds, Hugh and Oliver, delivered outstanding performances, each securing their matches with apparent ease. However, the remaining seeds Ellie, Daivik, and Rian faced tough opposition from Shelly College. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to overcome the depth of their opponents, resulting in a second-place finish in the National Plate Final. This achievement stands as a testament to the team’s skill and determination throughout the competition, marking a remarkable accomplishment for all involved.
Table Tennis
Mr Pickford highlights some very impressive results from the Habs Boys
Table tennis has continued its strong and steady growth at Habs this year, building on the foundations laid in recent seasons. Although competitive fixtures have been limited this term, the focus has firmly been on the IAPS competitions for both the Prep and Middle School teams, as well as preparing our U11 squad for their national finals. These events will offer valuable opportunities for players to test themselves, develop confidence and gain experience in high-quality competitive environments.
Alongside this, the heartbeat of Habs table tennis has undoubtedly been the thriving intramural programme. On average, around 50 students each day have taken part in table tennis during co-curricular sessions or Games time, highlighting the sport’s popularity and accessibility. This daily enthusiasm speaks volumes about the positive culture around table tennis and the inclusive environment it provides for players of all levels.
External from the Habs environment, Aaran Bathia and Khai Shah competed at the National Cadet League and won Gold which is a great achievement. We look forward to hearing of more success in the future.
A significant thank-you must go to Mr Miller for his organisation of fixtures and overall coordination of the programme, as well as to our two external coaches, Zoli and Zach. Their ability to deliver high-performance coaching while also providing engaging developmental sessions ensures that every student, from beginner to advanced, receives meaningful and enjoyable instruction.
This term also saw a wonderful example of student initiative and community spirit, with two Year 7 pupils, Aditya Sethi and Vihaan Mittal, organising a wooden-bat table tennis tournament in support of the Third Hope charity. Their leadership and creativity embody what sport at Habs represents: opportunity, service and togetherness.
Overall, it has been a productive and inspiring term, setting the stage for what we hope will be a highly successful summer ahead.
Cross-Country
Mr Kerry reports on the continued success from our Cross-Country athletes
The second half of the cross-country season has been extremely positive for Habs Boys, with pupils continuing to show tremendous commitment, resilience and team spirit in both training and competition. The boys have worked incredibly hard throughout the term and have represented the school fantastically at every event.
The highlight of the term came from the U13 team, who produced some superb performances in multiple fixtures. They claimed an impressive victory at the Beachwood Park School race, running with great determination and teamwork to secure the top spot. A standout performance came from Charlie in Year 8, who ran an excellent race to win the event, showing great composure and strength to take the individual victory. The same squad followed this success with another excellent performance to win the St. Martin’s School road relay, demonstrating not only their strength individually but also their ability to work together under pressure in a relay format.
Another major event in the calendar was the Hertfordshire County Championships, held in extremely muddy and challenging conditions at Westminster Lodge. Despite the tough course, many Haberdashers’ Boys competed across all age categories, with great courage and determination, representing the school brilliantly against some of the strongest runners in the county. A further standout performance came from Taha in Year 9, who ran an outstanding race to finish 10th overall.
Across all age groups the boys have shown remarkable effort, supporting one another and embracing the challenges of winter cross country. The dedication shown at early morning training sessions and weekend races has been excellent, and it has been particularly pleasing to see so many pupils competing enthusiastically for the school.
Well done to all runners for a successful second half of the season and for representing Haberdashers’ Boys’ School with such pride.
Football Focus: U13 ISFA Final
Mr Thomas reports on an outstanding season for his team, topped off by winning the ISFA title
National Champions: Habs’ U13s Crowned ISFA Champions 2026 Haberdashers’ Boys’ School secured a historic national title as the U13 team defeated Aldenham School to win the prestigious ISFA U13 Trophy, organised by the Independent Schools Football Association.
The ISFA national competitions represent the highest level of football within the independent school sector. Schools from across the country enter the tournament, many with long-established football traditions and players already involved in professional academy systems. Navigating the rounds requires consistency, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure against some of the strongest school teams in the country.
For Habs, lifting the national trophy marks a significant milestone in the continued growth of the school’s football programme.
The Road to the Final
The journey began back on 13 September 2025 with a 5-1 win, in a home fixture against St Benedict's School. From the opening round the squad demonstrated the qualities that would define their campaign: composure on the ball, tactical awareness, and an impressive collective spirit.
Round by round the team continued to progress through what is widely regarded as one of the most demanding competitions in school football. Each match presented a different challenge, but the group consistently showed maturity and resilience beyond their years, scoring 31 goals over the 7 rounds, conceding only 7 throughout the entire tournament.
Football Focus: U13 ISFA Final
The Final: Habs vs Aldenham
The final against Aldenham provided a fitting stage for two excellent teams. Aldenham are historic winners of the competition and arrived with a squad that included players from both the Arsenal and Chelsea academy systems.
Habs, however, matched that quality with belief, organisation, and togetherness. Notably, three Year 7 students were part of the squad on the day, highlighting both the depth of the programme and the confidence placed in younger players.
Habs made the perfect start, racing to an early two-goal lead during an outstanding first-half performance. Aldenham responded just before the interval, with their Arsenal academy winger producing a moment of quality to pull a goal back late in the first half and set up a tense second period.
The second half saw Habs produce one of their most dominant displays of the campaign. The teamcontrolled possession, created numerous opportunities, and repeatedly threatened the Aldenham goal. On another day, the game could have been settled much earlier, with several excellent chances narrowly missed.
Eventually the pressure told. Two further goals late in the second half finally put the contest beyond doubt, securing a 4–1 victory and confirming Habs as national champions.
Football Focus: U13 ISFA Final
A Historic Achievement
Winning the ISFA national title is an exceptional achievement. The competition draws entries from leading football schools across the country and features many players already operating within professional academy environments. For Habs to emerge as champions underlines the remarkable progress of the football programme in a relatively short period of time.
The Team Behind the Team Success of this magnitude reflects not only the quality of the players but also the commitment of the wider school community.
The dedication of staff across the sports department continues to drive the development of football at the school (special mention to Mr Miller, who led this group this season), while the encouragement and support of parents plays an often overlooked but critical role throughout the season. Together they provide the environment that allows students to compete, develop, and thrive not only as players but as young people.
For the students involved, lifting the ISFA national trophy will remain a defining moment in their school football journey. For Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, it represents another major step forward as the programme continues to grow and establish itself among the leading football schools in the country.
Cricket Focus: 1st Team India Tour
Mr Hewitt provides a highlights package on what was a spectacular tour to India during February Half Term
Days 1–2: Arrival and First Impressions
The trip began with classic chaos late arrivals, misplaced passports, and lost boys – before a long flight to Delhi. On arrival at 3am the team battled through immigration issues, lift confusion, and Delhi traffic. Training with local bowlers gave the boys their first taste of Indian cricket conditions, followed by arcade games and a lively Court of Fines.
Day 3: Match 1 – Win vs Push LPS
A solid batting start and strong spin bowling helped Habs to a 39-run win in their tour opener. Memorable moments included monkeys on the field and a mid-innings lunch break. The team visited India Gate and a Sikh temple, even helping to serve food in the community kitchen.
Day 4: Match 2 – Win vs Push Sports
Habs bowled out the opposition for 124 with disciplined bowling, then chased comfortably thanks to positive batting from Krish and Dilan. The evening was spent watching India vs Pakistan on a rooftop terrace.
Day 5: UAE vs Afghanistan World Cup Match
A special experience watching international cricket live. The boys enjoyed seeing world-class skills up close, with a rare hit-wicket dismissal a highlight. A chaotic KFC stop and spicy meals rounded off the day.
Day 6: Match 3 – Loss vs Chahar Cricket Club
Fatigue caught up with the squad as a batting collapse and too many extras led to a disappointing defeat. Standout performances came from Atharv, Ahaan, and Arkansh. A productive team meeting followed.
Day 7: Taj Mahal and Travel to Jaipur
A sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal was breathtaking. A long journey to Jaipur followed, featuring overpriced digestives, a great lunch, and one locked hotel room incident.
Day 8: Jaipur Sightseeing
The team visited palaces, local markets, and enjoyed a well-earned ice cream courtesy of Mr Hewitt.
Cricket Focus: 1st Team India Tour
Mr Hewitt and some members of the 1st Team report on a spectacular tour to India during February Half Term
Day 9: Match 4 – Tie + Super Over
Habs bowled well to restrict Sanskar to 176. A strong chase unravelled after a hat-trick, leading to a dramatic tie. A super over defeat followed, and the boys recovered with a pool session that ended in a lost ball falling eight floors onto the road.
Day 10: Match 5 and Chokhi Dhani
A tough batting day but excellent bowling saw Habs compete well despite a loss. The evening at Chokhi Dhani was a tour highlight games, music, massages, Rajasthani dinner, dancing, and a horse ride. Ayaan lost yet another room card.
Day 11: Final Match and Awards
HABS posted 118 in their final game and were outplayed in the chase. Post-match awards included:
Best Batter: Ahaan
Best Bowler: Atharv
MVP: Luca
Best Tourist: Kureshi
Most Improved: Arkansh & Thomas
A final evening of bowling and shopping ended the cricketing side of the tour.
Final Day: Journey Home
A smooth airport journey (aside from Ishaan’s random security check) led to a long flight back and the final wait for the cricket bags at Heathrow.
Summary
The Habs India Tour 2026 was challenging, eye-opening, and full of growth. The boys adapted to new conditions, embraced an unfamiliar culture, competed against strong opposition, and supported one another throughout.
Special thanks go to Mr Hewitt, Mr Kerry, Mr McIntosh, and Dinesh for making the tour possible and unforgettable.
Hockey Teams of the Year
Congratulations to those who have been selected for the Habs Boys Hockey Team of the Year for their impressive skills and performances over the Spring Term!
Junior Team of the Year
1. Oli (7S)
2. Jamie (7C)
3. Seb (7J)
4. James (7R)
5. Ashton (8C)
6. Anand (8H)
7. Ayden (8S)
8. Harry (7H)
9. Jake (8H)
10. Rodrigo (8H)
Senior Team of the Year
1. Daniel (L6M2)
2. Alex (U6M3)
3. Charlie (U6J2)
4. Manav (9C2)
5. Stephen (9C2)
6. Dexter (9M1)
7. Mikhail (10C2)
8. Francis (10J2)
9. Rishi (10H2)
10. Joseph (11R1)
11. Sam (10M2)
12. Aayush (9C2)
13. Joseph (9R2)
14. Kian (10R1)
15. Rahul (10J1)
16. Aran (10M1)
Thank you from Mr Pickford
I would like to express my sincere thanks to every member of staff who has contributed to the Games and Co-curricular Sports programme. Your commitment, expertise, and enthusiasm ensure that our pupils receive outstanding sporting experiences throughout the year. Your support and efforts do not go unnoticed and are deeply appreciated by both the boys and the wider school community.
Senior School Hockey
Head of Hockey: Mr D Cooper
Senior Teams: Miss C Willows, Mr J Wright, Mr R McIntosh
U15: Mr D Kerry, Mr W Thomas, Mr M Langston
U14: Mr B Howgego, Mr A Metcalfe, Mr D Miller, Mr J Hewitt
U13: Ms H Wakefield, Mr F Arye, Mr V Gathani, Mr B Keen, Mrs N Fielden
U12: Miss A Godsave, Miss I Earle, Mr P Pickford, Mr E Lowe
Rugby 7s
Head of Rugby: Mr A Metcalfe
Rugby Coach: Mr C Hughes
Rugby
Senior Rugby: Mr A Metcalfe
U16: Mr A Metcalfe, Mr P Pickford
U15: Mr A Metcalfe
U14: Mr D Taberner
U13: Mr B Howard, Mr P Martin Brown
U12: Mr A Metcalfe, Mr C Bass
Badminton
Head of Badminton: Dr A Chapman
Coach: Mr K Burns
Squad: Mr M Shi
Golf
Head of Golf: Mr J Lee
Squad: Mr D Kerry
Squash
Head of Squash: Mr D Cooper
Coach: Mr J Ockwell
Aquatics (Swimming & Water Polo)
Head of Aquatics: Mr E Brkovic
U12–18 Swimming: Miss A Godsave
Prep Swimming: Mr G Hedger
Water Polo: Mr M Broadwith
Table Tennis
Head of Table Tennis: Mr D Miller
Coach: Mr Z Koszo
Football
Head of Football: Mr W Thomas
U15A: Mr M Chodurek
U14A: Mr J Doolan
U13A: Mr D Miller
Strength & Conditioning
Mr B Keen, Mr T Huntley
Prep School
Prep PE & Games Team: Mr D Miller, Mr J Doolan, Mr E Lowe, Mr P Swindel, Mr C Stevens, Mrs T Palma-Ried, Ms Adat, Ms Downes, Mr W Thomas, Mr T Huntley, Mr R McIntosh, Mr M Chodurek.
Looking forward to the Summer Term!
The summer term promises to be an exciting and action-packed period for Habs Sport across both the Prep and Senior Schools. As always, cricket takes centre stage as our focus sport, and we look forward to building on the momentum and success of previous years. Cricket has a long and proud tradition at the school, and last season was no exception, with three Senior School squads crowned county champions and numerous individual achievements, including several students representing Middlesex and Hertfordshire. A particularly noteworthy highlight came from Atharv Sharma, who earned selection for the Senior Middlesex 2nd XI, showcasing the strength of our cricketing pathway and the dedication of our players and coaches.
This term, the cricket programme expands once again, with a full calendar of fixtures and events that reflect both the ambition and depth of talent within the school. Our annual match against the MCC remains a special occasion and an important date in the sporting calendar. In addition, the Fraiser Bird Cricket Tournament returns, providing a fantastic competitive platform for our players. We also look forward to strong block fixtures against Bedford School, Haileybury and Abingdon, all of which promise high-quality cricket and excellent development opportunities for our squads.
Athletics continues to grow from strength to strength, and the summer term brings a wide range of competitions for students across all age groups. We will once again participate in the Hertfordshire Athletics League and the Hertfordshire County Championships, both of which offer opportunities for our young athletes to test themselves against strong local competition. The English Schools Track and Field Cup also returns, and we hope to see a number of our athletes progress through the rounds and ultimately earn selection to represent Hertfordshire at the national English Schools Championships, which remains one of the most prestigious events in the school sport calendar.
Tennis also promises to be a highlight, with significant developments underway in our high-performance provision. Our squads will be competing in the Hertfordshire Schools Championship, the Eton Independent Schools Tennis Association Championships, and the Schools Magazine National Cup competition. With a growing programme and a committed group of players, the term ahead provides an exciting platform to further strengthen the sport.
The term will culminate in two major events that bring the whole community together. The joint Senior School Sports Day at the StoneX Stadium continues to be a memorable celebration of athleticism, teamwork and house spirit. This year, we are also delighted to host our inaugural Sports Celebration Evening, recognising sporting achievements across both schools, different age ranges and every level of participation and performance.
The department and I are very much looking forward to what promises to be a dynamic, enjoyable and inspiring summer term of sport at Habs.
With best wishes,
Mr Peter Pickford
Acting Director of Sport and Head of Sports Science
