OLD BOYS’ BOXING DAY FIXTURE OLD ARNOLDIANS Vs OLD LIDUNIANS
26th DECEMBER 2025 KO: 3.00pm FYLDE RFC, WOODLANDS MEMORIAL GROUND
BLACKPOOL ROAD, LYTHAM ST ANNES FY8 4EL All proceeds from the gate, profit from the hospitality and the Gamechanger Raffle will raise funds to provide fully funded sports scholarships for talented young people who may not otherwise have the means to access the outstanding sporting opportunities at AKS through educational bursaries.
WHOLE SCHOOL
45%
48%
at A*/A
at 9 -7
92%
OF STUDENTS ACHIEVED THEIR PREFERRED
OF A LEVEL OF GCSE GRADES GRADES
RKING STUDENTS WOD AGE AT OR BEYON ATIONS: ECT EXP D ATE REL
97% 95% 94%
- YEARS 4 to 6 FOR SCIENCE FOR MATHS -
YEARS 1 to 6
FOR ENGLISH
4
UNIVERSITY CHOICE
15
7
85%
PREP SCHOOL LAMDA DISTINCTIONS
2025
IN THE NURSERY PER WEEK Spanish, Music, Sport and Dance
FRENCH, SPANISH & GERMAN from RECEPTION BY SPECIALIST TEACHERS
PLAYS & CONCERTS PER ANNUM
35
NURSERY OPEN
51 30
WEEKS A YEAR
10
HOURS A DAY
EUROPEAN MUSIC TOURS
HOURS FREE EARLY YEARS FUNDING
ALL AREAS, 2023
from 8am to 6pm
5
U13 LANCASHIRE CHAMPIONS
1st XI SENIOR
CRICKET FESTIVAL CHAMPIONS
30 635
200 5 96
SCHOOLS ACROSS CONTINENTS
10
PREP PARENT SURVEY
6 9
OF THE NATIONAL LEADERBOARD OF
TYCOON IN SCHOOLS BUSINESS YEARS AT ENTERPRISE THE TOP COMPETITION
200
TOURS & TRIPS
CO-CURRICULAR CLUBS
FOR: Hockey, Rugby, Music, History, Science and Round Square TO: South Africa, Europe, Asia, America and Canada
RESIDENTIAL
TRIPS FROM YEAR
3
Welcome
from Anthony Hoskisson and Matt Thompson
Stay Connected
with your OAKS alumni
A brief word
from Richard Chadwick
10 Rugby photos from our alumni
OVER
DofE AWARDS IN 2025
INTERNATIONAL “Moving my child to AKS Prep is the best decision I’ve ever made.”
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FIXTURES
ROUND SQUARE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2023 HOSTS
PROUD MEMBER OF THE ROUND SQUARE NETWORK OF
48 BRONZE, 23 SILVER, 25 GOLD
HOLIDAY CLUBS
WRAP AROUND CARE
CRICKET CHAMPIONS U13 GIRLS AND UNDER 12 BOYS
(BOYS AND GIRLS)
MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL TALENT ACADEMY
CLUBS
PLAYS A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
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LANCASHIRE COUNTY HOCKEY REPRESENTATIVES
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS’ BARBARIANS PLAYER
NAMED IN THE
PIECE PREP ORCHESTRA
at LOWTHER PAVILION
SALE SHARKS ACADEMY PLAYERS
TOP 100 DIFFERENT SPORTS CRICKET SCHOOLS
100
ANNUAL MUSICALS
8
LANCASHIRE CUP WINNERS
WYRE & FYLDE
INCLUSIVE MUSIC PROGRAMME EVERY CHILD from YEARS 3-6
10
CLUBS PER WEEK
1
3
SALE SHARKS DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY PLAYERS
SPECIALIST LESSONS
- YEARS 1 to 6
SUBJECTS TAUGHT IN PREP
1
NORTH of ENGLAND PLAYER
The players beer for the Old Boys Boxing Day Match is kindly sponsored by King Street Dental Surgery, King Street, Blackpool, with our sincere thanks.
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www.akslytham.com
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WELCOME TO THE WOODLANDS As we gather to celebrate this cherished Boxing Day tradition, I extend a warm welcome to everyone in attendance. This occasion stands as a testament to the enduring camaraderie and unwavering support for Fylde Rugby Club.
As we come together for this much-loved Boxing Day fixture, I am delighted to welcome players, Fylde members, OAKS Alumni and supporters to Fylde Rugby Club.
None of this would be possible without the tireless commitment of our dedicated volunteers and the OAKS Alumni team at AKS. I offer particular thanks to Matt Cartmell and Richard Grocott for bringing the Old Lidunians team together and to Jordan Fairlie for assembling the Old Arnoldians team.
Having been appointed Chairman in November 2025, it is a great privilege to serve a Club with such a proud history and strong sense of community. I have been fortunate to be involved at Fylde for many years, through my role as Mini and Junior Chairman, as an Under 12s coach and as part of the team that recently delivered Bar22. These experiences have reinforced my appreciation for the dedication and commitment that underpin everything we do as a Club.
All proceeds from the gate, along with profits from hospitality and the Gamechanger Raffle, will be directed towards providing fully funded sports scholarships for talented young people who may not otherwise have the means to access the outstanding sporting opportunities at AKS through educational bursaries. As we look ahead to the continuation of this wonderful legacy, I wish everyone a joyful Boxing Day and a prosperous New Year. Anthony Hoskisson President of Fylde Rugby Club Chairman of the Old Arnoldians Association and the OAKS Alumni
This occasion is a testament to the tireless efforts of our volunteers, coaches, players, and Fylde and AKS staff, whose continued support ensures that traditions such as this remain at the heart of Fylde Rugby Club. Boxing Day provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both our heritage and the friendships that unite past and present members. As we look ahead to the future, I am excited to work alongside the Board and the wider Club to build on these strong foundations and continue the Clubs development both on and off the field. I wish everyone an enjoyable Boxing Day and a prosperous New Year. Matt Thompson Chairman, Fylde Rugby Club
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www.akslytham.com
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A
S
STAY CONNECTED
with your OAKS alumni through our alumni engagement website, oaks connect.com OAKS is the AKS alumni for our legacy schools Arnold, Kind Edward VII, Queen Mary, KEQMS and graduates from AKS today, plus past and present teachers as we move into the future as a combined alumni encapsulating each school under the OAKS association.
This website serves as a great networking platform enabling users to: •
connect – find and reminisce with fellow former students, see what they have been up to and stay in touch.
•
support AKS students today with careers education and mentoring. Regardless of age, city or occupation, all will be invited to introduce, mentor, employ or offer work experience to AKS students to provide them with real world insight for life after school and higher education.
•
expand their professional network to get introduced to people they should know through the AKS OAKS trusted platform.
•
keep updated with alumni news and events.
•
keep updated with what is going on at AKS Lytham today.
•
support the AKS Lytham Foundation.
Stay Connec t Facebook: @
ed
As more people join, this website will become a valuable networking platform and it’s free to use! Please scan the QR code to visit oaksconnect.com and join the OAKS Alumni Community!
AKSLythamO AKS LinkedIn: OA KSAlumni Email: alumni @akslytham.co m
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www.akslytham.com
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TS W! KE NO TIC ALE S ON
AKS LYTHAM presents
Dear friends, family, and supporters, welcome to our annual Boxing Day tradition, the OAKS Rugby fixture between the Old Arnoldians and the Old Lidunians. The match is certainly a highlight of the festive season and represents much more than rugby alone. It’s about tradition, shared experiences, and the enduring connection to AKS (and heritage schools) that brings us together year after year. We look forward to reconnecting with recent and less recent (!) leavers, both on and off the field. Whether you’re putting on your boots or cheering from the sidelines, today is about celebrating those ties and enjoying the spirit of the game, as well as sharing memories from yesteryear. Rugby has always stood for values that matter: teamwork, respect, and resilience. These principles remain central to our sporting ethos at AKS, and I’m sure we’ll see them on display in what promises to be an entertaining and competitive match. Our thanks go to Fylde RFC for their continued support and hospitality, which play a vital role in helping us develop the next generation of players and maintain strong links within the rugby community.
Performed entirely by students A musical by ALAIN BOUBLIL and CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG School Edition special adaptation licensed by MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL and CAMERON MACKINTOSH (OVERSEAS) LIMITED
THU 29 / FRI 30 / SAT 31 JANUARY 2026 at 7.30pm SATURDAY MATINEE 2.30pm | LOWTHER PAVILION
Finally, initiatives like #GameChanger, our bursary scheme, continue to reflect our commitment to widening access and opportunity for talented young athletes. We’re proud of the difference this is making and excited for what lies ahead. On behalf of the sports department, thank you for joining us today. Enjoy the rugby, enjoy the company, and have a wonderful festive season. Warm regards, Richard Chadwick Director of Sport, AKS Lytham
Main Sponsor:
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE BOX OFFICE:
01253 794221 @aksdrama / @akslythammusic www.akslytham.com
boxoffice@lowtherpavilion.co.uk
www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk
www.akslytham.com
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RUGBY PHOTOS FROM OUR ALUMNI
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www.akslytham.com
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#�amechan��r
TO DONATE
WHAT IS
Gamechanger? At AKS Lytham, we believe talent should shape a student’s future – not financial background. Through the AKS Lytham Foundation (charity number 1191646), we are committed to providing meanstested transformational bursaries for students with exceptional potential. Gamechanger will raise funds to provide fully funded sports scholarships for talented young athletes covering tuition fees and the essential extras so that every student can thrive, both in the classroom and on the field. These life-changing opportunities reflect our commitment to inclusion, ambition and widening access to our school.
Why Sport? Why Now? Sport is central to life at AKS. Our students and alumni compete at national levels in rugby, hockey, athletics, cricket and more. Yet many gifted athletes still lack access to the education and coaching they deserve.
Gamechanger helps remove those barriers – ensuring talent, not background, drives opportunity. 12
www.akslytham.com
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BARRIE-JON
MATHER
WOODMAN
Barrie-Jon (B-J) Mather (Arnold School 1984 to 1991) is a former professional Rugby League and Rugby Union player who achieved the rare distinction of representing England in both codes. After leaving Arnold, he began his career with Wigan RLFC, where he won three League titles and a Challenge Cup, before moving to Australia to play in the NRL with the Western Reds. He later returned to the UK to play for Castleford RLFC and Sale Sharks, finishing his career with a season at Kubota in Japan.
Tristan Woodman (AKS Lytham 2008 to 2022) is a professional rugby player who currently represents Sale Sharks in the Gallagher Premiership. A powerful and dynamic backrow forward, Tristan’s rise from school rugby at AKS Lytham to the professional game is a testament to his talent, discipline and determination. During his time at AKS, Tristan was an exceptional all-round student and athlete. He was part of the England Rugby Academy, captained Lancashire and played for the Sale Sharks Academy while still at school. A multi-talented sportsman, he represented AKS in the first teams for both rugby and cricket and made his first-XI debut for Lytham Cricket & Sports Club, where he also volunteered as a coach. Beyond sport, he was involved with the Combined Cadet Force, gained his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and took part in the school’s Maths Challenge team. In 2022 he was selected for England Rugby’s Under 18 squad to face France – an achievement that reflected his outstanding ability and work ethic.
During his playing years, Barrie-Jon represented England and Great Britain in Rugby League and England in Rugby Union. With the advent of professional Rugby Union, he became the first player ever to represent England in both Rugby League and Rugby Union. Reflecting on his time at Arnold, Barrie-Jon said: “I had an amazing time at Arnold, supported by some wonderful teachers from all subjects who were invested in helping pupils succeed. I do not think you could call me the most academic student, but my teachers were dedicated to helping us become the best we could be, both on the playing field and in the classroom.”
After leaving AKS later that year, Tristan joined the Sale Sharks Academy, where his commitment and physicality quickly caught attention. He progressed through the ranks to earn a place in the senior squad and went on to represent England at Under 20 level, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level of youth international rugby. Now part of the Sale Sharks senior setup, he continues to develop as a player, recognised for his strength, composure and relentless attitude.
Sport was central to his school life. He recalls touring Canada as a 15-year-old in 1988, followed by Arnold’s first rugby tour to Australia in 1990. “Just as special as touring,” he said, “was the opportunity to captain the 1st XV in my final year and lead the team through the 1990-91 season.”
“Attending AKS Lytham was a hugely important part of my journey, both as a player and as a person. It was where I learned the value of hard work, teamwork and perseverance, and where my dream of playing professional rugby began to take shape. I am proud to represent my school and the lessons it taught me every time I pull on the Sale shirt.”
Barrie-Jon credits Arnold with giving him the values that shaped both his sporting and professional life. “The lessons I learned at Arnold, inside and outside the classroom, have had a major impact on my life. The teamwork, resilience and leadership I developed through sport have stayed with me throughout my career – as a player, coach and later as a leader in Olympic, Paralympic and professional sport.”
A
S
r ge an
ch
R O D A SS BA M A
Arnold taught me that if I worked hard, stayed committed and did everything to the best of my ability, I could succeed at the highest level. That mindset has helped me enormously in every new challenge I have faced, both professionally and personally.
me Ga
r ge an
ch
R O D A SS BA M A
me Ga 14
TRISTAN
AKS gave me belief, drive and the right foundations to chase my goals – lessons that continue to guide me both on and off the field.
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