Sport really is for all, whether playing or watching friends.”
Good Schools Guide
Sailing takes place at Rutland Water
40 acres of sports pitches
2 floodlit all-weather pitches for hockey and tennis
2 cricket pavilions
Multi-purpose sports centre with 25-metre indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, squash courts and fives courts
Our first-class pitches play host to county cricket and Leicester Tigers rugby training sessions
With a wide range of sports available, from competitive teams to recreational activities, every pupil can find a way to stay active and enjoy the benefits of sport.
Oakham School values participation at all levels, promoting physical wellbeing and teamwork while ensuring that sport remains an integral part of school life. Oakham has a strong reputation for sporting excellence. Our pupils regularly reach national finals, and many go on to represent their county or country.
The School’ s teams consistently perform at the highest levels, with national successes in rugby, netball and hockey. Pupils benefit from top-level coaching alongside excellent athletic development and medical care.
Our strong links with professional clubs and elite performance pathways ensure that Oakham provides outstanding opportunities for aspiring athletes, while also encouraging all pupils to develop a lifelong love of sport.
Steve May Director of Sport
To see Oakham Sport in action, follow us online.
Watch our sports video @oakhamschool @Oakham School
At Oakham we are committed to offering outstanding opportunities for both participation and performance, enabling every pupil, regardless of ability or ambition, to engage, grow and excel.
Our sports programme is built around three distinct strands:
• Major Team and Traditional Sports
• Core School and Competitive Sports
• Wellbeing and Lifestyle Activities
As pupils progress through the School they shape their own sporting journey, exploring new activities and deepening their commitment to the ones they love.
Core Sports
Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Tennis, Squash
Major Team Sports Cricket, Hockey, Netball, Rugby Union
Wellbeing and Lifestyle Activities
Cross Country, Fitness, Fives, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, Yoga
Pupils begin with a vibrant team sports programme: two weekly training sessions and exciting Wednesday fixtures. They compete against a range of schools, building confidence, friendships, and teamwork. Even those new to sport find joy and growth. Expert coaches guide every pupil through seamless progression from Year 7 to Year 13, ensuring they feel supported and inspired.
Sport brings year groups together through Saturday fixtures and weekly training. Pupils explore new activities beyond Games time, often playing multiple major sports. Choice expands across all three pathways, including their first taste of Wellbeing and Lifestyle Activities. Whether participating in cup competitions or trying something new, pupils continue to grow – physically, socially, and emotionally – supported by Oakham’s high-quality coaching and inclusive ethos.
Senior pupils refine their journey – some specialise, others play across multiple teams. Oakham’s excellence in rugby, hockey, netball, and cricket shines, with opportunities from First to Fourth teams. Participation and performance go hand in hand. Senior teams run from 1st to 4th teams and beyond, ensuring every pupil has the chance to represent the School and remain actively involved in sport. This stage sees the highest engagement in Wellbeing and Lifestyle Activities, supporting physical and mental health and promoting lifelong positive habits.
At Oakham, we believe that sport is for everyone and our hope is that every pupil leaves with a lifelong love for it. Whether competing at county or national level, continuing through university programmes, or simply enjoying sport as a way to stay active and connected, pupils carry forward the joy, confidence, and sense of belonging that sport at Oakham inspires.
30 different sports 180 teams
Over 1,000 fixtures each year
The best thing about sport at Oakham is the amazing support and help we get from our coaches.”
Esther, Middle School pupil
Over 400 boys of all ages from 1st XV to U12 level regularly enjoy playing rugby across 25 teams on a traditional and well-balanced fixture list against some of the top rugby-playing schools in the country. The boys have the opportunity to play in a number of regional and national competitions where they have achieved considerable success. They have won the National Schools Cup three times, most recently in 2023.
There are opportunities to play rugby all year round, starting with the week-long pre-season training camp held at the end of August each year. This helps the teams to bond and provides invaluable training and match play before the start of the season.
Rugby sevens is played in the Spring Term and we have enjoyed considerable success at the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens Tournament; our U18 team were Runners-Up in the Vase Competition in 2022 and our U16 team won the Plate Competition in 2024.
In the Summer Term, pupils can participate in additional coaching sessions, to help them prepare for the following season. Our first-class facilities include 8 rugby pitches, including our famous Doncaster Close grounds.
Rugby sevens is an increasingly popular option for girls. The U14 team were Cup Runners-Up in the Rosslyn Park National Schools Sevens Tournament in 2024
Led by Director of Rugby Rupert Harden, who has extensive playing and coaching experience, our excellent coaching staff includes internationally renowned coach Glenn Gelderbloom (former Western Province and double European Cup winning Leicester Tigers centre). Our pupils have also enjoyed external professional coaching sessions from the likes of Martin Johnson, Graham Rowntree and Austin Healey.
Many of our athletes are chosen for representative programmes at County, Regional and Premiership Rugby Academies and go on to win professional contracts. Just as importantly many boys continue to play rugby at university, which can for the most talented players still lead into professional sport.
Old Oakhamian Jack van Poortvliet (‘19) scored a try in his debut game for England in July 2022
George Bland (‘23) is captain of the Cambridge University Rugby Men’s Blues side for the 2025-26 season, while Fred Davies (’17) captained Durham University in the 2021/22 season before embarking on a professional career with Bristol. Charlie Titcombe (‘20) went to Loughborough University before being signed by Worcester Warriors and most recently Leicester Tigers.
We collaborate and work with strength and conditioning coaches from Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints to support those pupils who are selected for performance pathways. Oakham’s current and former list of 1st XV Tigers Academy players is impressive, and they have helped Leicester Tigers U18 Academy win the Premiership title in three consecutive years (2018, 2019, and 2020).
Oakham School’s association with the Tigers first began with Michael Aldred in 1896 and among the many alumni who have played for the club, the most prolific player was David Matthews (‘54) who played a record 502 games for Leicester!
RUGBY
Alumni who have received national and international recognition include:
• Jack van Poortvliet (‘19) (England), Sam Costelow (‘19) (Wales), Hamish Watson (’10) (Scotland and British Lions), Lewis Moody (’96) (England and British Lions), and Tom Croft (’04) (England and British Lions).
• Recent Old Oakhamians now playing Premiership Rugby include: Jacob Cusick (‘21) (Leicester Tigers), Sam Wolstenholme (’17) (Wasps), Cameron Jordan (‘18) (Gloucester), Sam Costelow (‘19) (Scarlets), and Harry Glynn (‘20) (La Rochelle).
Follow us on Instagram for all the latest rugby news.
@oakhamschoolrugby
Oakham is one of the top hockey-playing schools in the UK, fielding 75 hockey teams from 1st XI to U12 level for girls and boys.
We run a highly competitive fixture list including schools, clubs, universities and national competitions. Our yearround training and playing programme offers pre-season training camps, indoor and outdoor fixtures in the winter and spring, additional coaching in the summer and overseas tours.
Players at Oakham have access to our first-class facilities 7 days a week, including two sand-dressed hybrid pitches with floodlights, an indoor sports centre and a Strength and Conditioning gym.
Our U18, U16 and U14 Girls’ and Boys’ teams compete in the Tier 1 National Cup competitions, regularly making it to the final 8 stage of the competition and ranking in the top flight of UK schools. Our U16 Girls were Runners-Up in the 2024 Tier 1 Cup Competition.
Our team of dedicated and highly qualified coaches is led by Director of Hockey Neil Evans, who has extensive county, regional and National League hockey experience. His team includes Alex Cooper who coaches England Universities Men’s Hockey and England Over 45’s, former GB and Leicester City player Katie Long, and former Director of Hockey Ashley Denman. Additionally Matt Taylor, Director of Hockey at MT13 and Nottingham University and Jamie Cachia, Head Coach of Durham University and Goalkeeper Coach with the Great Britain Elite Development Programme.
Individual player development is of paramount importance to our hockey programme, making Oakham a superb choice for any student who wishes to play top school and club hockey.
We support our athletes with their hockey journey within the England Hockey Player Pathway by providing access to our own Skills Academy, County and Regional Performance Centres, and Men’s and Women’s National League Clubs to deliver an exciting, dynamic, and progressive hockey programme for our players.
We have developed excellent relationships with professional clubs and support pupils playing at: Beeston Hockey Club, Leicester Ladies Hockey Club, Loughborough Students Hockey Club, Peterborough Hockey Club, University of Nottingham Hockey Club.
Our performance players train all year round and compete over both the Winter and Spring Terms, participating in 6-a-side competitive indoor fixtures. Playing in this fastpaced and highly entertaining environment helps our players to improve all aspects of their game, and in particular their stick handling skills and vision on the field.
Old Oakhamians go on to play hockey for a number of top clubs, including TSV Mannheim in Germany, Rotterdam in Holland, and Reading, Clifton and Holcombe in the UK. At international level our alumni include double-Olympic medal winner Crista Cullen (’02), England international Kathryn Lane (’13), German international Alex Stadler (‘15), England and Great Britain players Matt Ramshaw (’17) and Maddie Pearce (‘18).
Follow us on Instagram for all the latest hockey news.
@oakham_hockey
All the team sports are played to a high standard, teams regularly reaching national finals – both girls and boys.”
I’m proud to contribute my little bit to the rich, long history of Oakham Cricket.”
FREDDIE, UPPER SCHOOL PUPIL
From the first recorded game against Grantham College in 1821, cricket has gone from strength to strength as one of the major sports at Oakham. We have developed many gifted cricketers at county and international age group level who have gone on to play premier league, county and international cricket.
Around 230 boys and 70 girls of all ages from 1st XI to U12 level play cricket at Oakham during the Summer Term and the School regularly fields 21 boys’ teams and 10 girls’ teams. Our highly competitive fixtures list includes many of the best cricketing schools both regionally and nationally. In 2023 our U15 Girls were crowned County Champions.
Our outstanding facilities include two grounds that are maintained to an exceptional level and are used for county cricket matches and training (Leicestershire Women’s CCC). We offer two cricket pavilions that provide first-class facilities for teams and our guests.
Director of Cricket Patrick Latham leads a team of 25 coaches that include Head of Cricket Development Tom Fell (‘12) who played in 97 first-class games for Worcestershire. The cricket coaches offer personalised indoor training and innovative team sessions throughout the winter and summer.
Our winter training programme of age group indoor training sessions and cricket nets helps us ensure that we are well prepared at the start of the season.
The Boys 1st XI play the XL Club and MCC as well as regular inter-school matches and in 2023 the 1st XI Girls played their first MCC match. At the end of the season both the 1st XI Boys and 1st XI girls compete in the BOWS Festival (Brighton, Oakham, Wellington and Sedbergh).
The U14s Boys enjoy regular success in the Lord’s Taverners Cup Regional Competition.
Old Oakhamian Stuart Broad (‘04) took a staggering 604 wickets and scored 3,662 runs in Test Matches for England
Cricketing alumni include: Trailblazing women’s cricketer Lucy Pearson (‘90) (England), Stuart Broad (’04) who took 604 wickets and scored 3,662 runs in Test Matches for England. He also took 952 wickets and scored 5,840 runs playing for Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.; Tom Fell (‘12) (Worcestershire); and Lyndon James (‘17) (Nottinghamshire).
Follow us on Instagram for all the latest cricket news.
We enjoy excellent links with Leicestershire CCC and Loughborough University. Having access to some of the top National League clubs in the country gives our performance players access to cricket at a club with international standard facilities and coaching. @oakhamschoolcricket
We give 300 girls the opportunity to represent the School in inter-school fixtures in netball, with a typical week seeing up to 30 fixtures played from U12 through to 1st VII levels against some of the top netball-playing schools in the country.
Our experienced team of 12 coaches, which includes current Superleague players and former internationals, work hard to develop and nurture the girls. There are many opportunities for girls to compete in national age group competitions at U19, U16 and U14 levels. Oakham has attended the National Schools Finals for nine of the last ten years, highlighting the wealth of talent and sheer commitment in pupils and coaches alike.
In 2019 our U15 team attended the inaugural World School Games where they played schools from different countries at the highest level, and won the plate.
Oakham netballers enjoy excellent facilities with nine courts used for training and matches. Preparation for the national competitions begins out of season in the Winter Term with U19, U16 and U14 players attending strength and conditioning and skills sessions. These skills sessions help the girls to develop and bond as a team ahead of the netball term. Many of our junior players have had a taste of Oakham netball through the Thursday afternoon netball activity option in the Winter Term. Pre-season training for all age groups begins in January before the start of the Spring Term.
Alongside our team of fantastic coaches, the students have the opportunity to learn from the best players and coaches in the country during our guest-coaching week. In recent years we have welcomed Commonwealth Gold Winner Jodie
Gibson and ex-international player and Director of Netball at Wasps, Tamsin Greenway, to lead coaching sessions with our U14 and U19 teams.
Many girls go on to play netball at varying levels outside School, including Loughborough Lightning and Wasps Academies, and local clubs too, with a strong cohort every year representing university teams across the country.
For our pupils on performance pathways, we assist them in completing their individual programmes on court and in the gym; this way we can help to manage their time and workload.
The 1st VII also get the experience and exposure of playing against top university teams in the country, including: Loughborough University, Nottingham Trent University and University of Nottingham.
Follow us on Instagram for all the latest netball news.
Athletics at Oakham sees over 200 keen pupils participate and at least 100 athletes competing weekly against other schools.
In recent years Oakham has been the powerhouse of athletics amongst schools in the East Midlands and we have had significant success beyond the borders of Rutland and Leicestershire at the English Schools Athletic Association Championships and the Achilles Relays in Oxford. At the Achilles Relays our runners regularly win medals and set new Achilles Records each year.
We regularly send athletes to the ESAA Championships and have achieved medal-winning success in past tournaments; our athletes have excelled in both track and field events, gaining national recognition and going on to represent their country.
Our Lower School athletes train three times a week and compete in a series of scheduled Monday fixtures against a variety of schools. The Middle and Upper School athletes compete within age group teams most weekends, in meets of six to eight schools on tartan tracks at venues within and beyond the Midlands. Most of those involved use training as a valuable part of their fitness and conditioning for other sports but competition and personal development are key to every athlete’s training and aspirations.
Oakham athletics has a strong team of dedicated and inspirational coaches. Training is purpose driven where athletes can be seen to give their every breath to achieve success. The School’s ICT system plays a central role in every athlete’s progression and ambition as all results are posted after every meet so that they can track their improvement throughout the athletics season.
Football is a core part of the Spring Term sports programme at Oakham School, where both boys and girls compete in a structured and well supported environment.
The School fields multiple teams each season including:
Boys: 1st XI, 2nd XI, 3rd XI, 4th XI, and U15
Girls: 1st XI
The 1st XI, 2nd XI, and U15A boys’ teams compete in the prestigious ISFA Mercian League where Oakham has seen consistent success. Notably, the 2nd XI won back-to-back league titles most recently in 2025 going unbeaten and scoring 41 goals in 9 matches which highlights the depth and strength of the football programme. Our pupils benefit from high-level coaching from Director of Football, Mr Dan Roberts and other professional coaches.
Training takes place twice a week and competitive Saturday fixtures are played throughout the term. Matches are hosted on the School’s excellent facilities at Wilson Playing Fields which are part of Oakham’s 40-acre sports campus.
The School works closely with performance pathways with several boys and girls participating in pathways such as Leicester City and Peterborough United.
We regularly field over 60 boys’ and girls’ tennis teams from the 1st VI to the U12Ds, who play against some of the biggest schools on the circuit in a competitive fixture list.
In addition to our Summer Term training and fixtures, the Oakham School Tennis Academy offers pupils all-year round technical and tactical coaching sessions each week through our partnership with Oakham Tennis Club. This also provides a link between the School and local clubs, with many pupils enjoying playing at club level. We have a first-class tennis syllabus throughout the year based on the need to play high level doubles. Our winter training programme of age group indoor training sessions and individual lessons helps us ensure that we are well-prepared at the start of the season.
Oakham tennis players enjoy excellent facilities with 12 hard courts used for training and matches. Oakham School aspires to achieve national success with entry in the National Schools Team Tennis Championships, Road to Wimbledon and Aegon Leagues for both the girls’ and boys’ teams and we have a number of boys and girls who represent the county at tennis and the School actively supports individual progress in this area.
Furthermore, with the use of our Strength and Conditioning Programme, we can support our pupils to develop the physical aspects of their game, in addition to the technical and tactical aspects learned through squad and individual coaching.
We run an excellent programme of golf tuition and match opportunities at Oakham. Our home club is the Luffenham Heath Golf Club (which is an Open qualifying course) and lessons are taken every week from the club’s professional, Ian Burnett. Our aim is to encourage all abilities to play the game, but there is, of course, plenty of opportunity for low handicap golfers to play competitively.
The School has a busy fixture list that includes matches against other leading schools and we also take part in National Competitions, including the Independent Schools Golf Association (ISGA), and the HMC Foursomes Competition.
Sailing is an extremely popular sport at Oakham, both as a competitive and recreational activity for pupils of all ages from Lower 1 (Year 7) to Form 7 (Year 13). Our close proximity to Rutland Water, one of Europe’s premier inland sailing locations and regular host of the National Championships, means that we have access to superb facilities on our doorstep. Oakham School owns Tera, Feva and Firefly dinghies, and we have a close relationship with Rutland Sailing Club to ensure we can cater for sailors of all levels.
Beginners can try sailing without having to buy their own kit as part of the Activities programme, before deciding whether to sail as a Games option from Year 10. Learners can take part in a course run by Rutland Sailing School to earn their first RYA qualification. Competitive sailors can join the Rutland Youth and Junior squad, training and racing at County or National level.
Each year teams of Form 6 pupils choose sailing for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award expedition. These teams are non-competitive and can include complete beginners. The pupils sail and live aboard yachts, training on Rutland Water in preparation for an unaccompanied expedition on the Norfolk Broads.
Oakham enjoys a long and illustrious history of shooting, having first won the Ashburton Shield in 1967. Shooting is split into two seasons: Smallbore during the Winter and Spring Terms and Fullbore Shooting during the Summer Term.
Smallbore .22
Pupils from all year groups in the Middle and Upper School shoot on the School’s purpose-built 25m indoor range using .22 Target rifles. The shooters enter into several competitions depending on their ability, including the British Schools Smallbore Rifle Association and the Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Target Shooting Leagues. They also compete in competitions against other local schools throughout the year.
Fullbore Shooting 7.62mm
Pupils train at a local range complex and get to fire at distances of up to 1000 yards with open sights. Pupils can take part in an Easter pre-season training camp at Bisley, Surrey. At the end of the season, pupils compete in the prestigious Schools Meeting at Bisley, where everyone enters various competitions, including the Ashburton Shield.
Lacrosse is continuing to expand and grow at Oakham. It is a popular sport offered as an alternative to hockey and netball in both the Winter and Spring Terms. Lacrosse is played at 1st and 2nd XII levels against sides from across the region.
The basketball club is thriving, with both numbers and skill levels on the rise. Pupils train weekly through the Winter and Spring Terms, with school matches played during the Spring Term against local rivals.
Pupils can choose to play fives as an activity from Year 7 and as a competitive sport from Year 10 with fixtures in the Winter and Spring Term against local schools.
The School enjoys a highly competitive fixture list against schools, clubs and junior representative sides and also has a significant presence at county and national level.
Simon Rolington, a former World top ten player and England squash coach, takes squad coaching from U12 to U18 level in both the Winter and Spring Terms.
Oakham School Badminton Club is a great place to find pupils who enjoy playing a physical, dynamic and demanding sport to a high standard.
The badminton club is coached by professional Billy Chen on Thursday afternoons with extra training sessions on Saturdays. Competitive school fixtures against local rivals are played in the Winter and Spring Terms.
Oakham School has its own 25-metre pool, suitable for advanced swimming coaching and gala competitions. The School hosts galas on a termly basis with increasing success for our own team.
Swimming teams train hard with swimming coach Ian Gunter from the start of the Winter Term right through to the end of the Summer Term, when the majority of fixtures take place. The teams are increasingly successful, recording impressive results in fixtures against schools and at the annual independent school championships, the Bath and Otter Cup.
The School’s cross country runners train on the tracks and paths around Rutland Water and through farmland and woodland in the beautiful Rutland countryside. In the Winter Term runners take part in the English Schools’ Athletic Association (ESAA) Cross Country Championship with the first round held on our own course. In the Spring Term the School competes in inter-school races with schools from all over the East Midlands. Our better runners gain selection for Inter-Counties and English Schools’ Championships.
Oakham enjoys regular success at regional and national level with teams competing at the ESAA National Finals most years. A team of dedicated coaches has evolved over the past years, helping runners of all ages and abilities to enjoy and improve their distance running and racing.
PE and Sports Science explores the many aspects underpinning the science of our body while exercising. Our innovative courses, experienced teachers and fantastic facilities have led to the increasing popularity of this subject – the Sports Science Laboratory, located in the Mehra Faculty of Science, is one of the top school laboratories in the UK and is home to the latest specialist equipment and resources to aid learning.
All pupils in Years 7–10 have a weekly timetabled PE lesson and then can choose to study Sports Science GCSE in Years 10 and 11, and post-16 as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma (SEHS), A-level or BTEC courses.
All of these programmes of study provide a demanding and scientific approach to the subject, with opportunities to explore both the practical and theoretical aspects of Sports Science. This includes visits to l eading universities for lab-based physiology testing, and the possibility of experiencing background work conducted at elite, professional sports clubs such as the Leicester Tigers.
Oakham School offers Sport Scholarships at 11+, 13+, 14+, and 16+ to pupils with strong sporting ability and determination. Applicants usually excel in major sports or show exceptional talent in one. We value potential, attitude, and commitment as much as achievement. Scholars are expected to lead by example and inspire others through their dedication and conduct.
Sport Scholars receive exceptional personalised support designed to nurture their development on and off the field. This includes expert-led sessions on psychology, nutrition, wellbeing, and elite sport; training plans and gym access tailored to each athlete; one-to-one mentoring and continued support for university, sport, and future goals.
Recognising that children arrive with varied sporting experiences, Oakham invites all Year 7 pupils to join the inclusive Sporting Talent Project (STP). Whether aiming for a sports career or simply enjoying activity, STP helps pupils explore their potential. It builds confidence, skills, and enthusiasm, laying the groundwork for future scholarship applications and fostering a lifelong love of sport.
ATHLETICS TRACK
INDOOR RIFLE RANGE
BAFS CRICKET PAVILION
DONCASTER CLOSE PLAYING FIELDS
WILSON CRICKET PAVILION
SPORTS CENTRE
SWIMMING POOL FIVES COURTS