St Edmund's
Co-Curricular Sport
Co-curricular sport at St Edmund’s plays a vital role in promoting fitness, teamwork, confidence and well-being. Pupils are encouraged to take part in a wide variety of activities beyond the formal curriculum, from after-school training sessions and recreational clubs to specialist clinics and inter-school fixtures.
The programme provides opportunities for both competitive and non-competitive participation, enabling pupils of all abilities to pursue their sporting interests while developing leadership, resilience and teamwork.
Football
Football
St Edmund’s is the only independent school in the area to offer football as its main invasion game, and is very successful at local level. Many of our pupils play for clubs outside school, and girls’ football is increasingly popular, and we encourage pupils of all abilities to play football, improve their skills and develop their understanding of the game. We push our elite players, but also provide for those who wish to play recreationally.
Hockey
Hockey
Hockey has been a staple of sporting life at St Edmund’s in recent years. We field boys’ and girls’ teams across all age groups, with fixtures at a local and regional level. The school enjoys tournament success, and welcomes schools in the area to our own high-level competitions. Many of our pupils play for local clubs (we work closely with Canterbury Hockey Club) and we arrange hockey tours – most recently to Holland.
Cricket
Cricket
Cricket is pursued with great passion and success at St Edmund’s by both boys and girls, with our pupil body including county and international players
We field boys’ teams across all age groups, and have an excellent competitive record. The 1st XI fixtures list now includes the MCC, and from 2020 the team will play on a new ground.
Athletics
Athletics
Athletics forms part of the PE and Games curriculum. We take pride in spotting potential in our students, and enter teams in local and district competitions. Many pupils go on to represent Canterbury’s Invicta East Kent Athletics Club, taking their performance to county and national level. We encourage all pupils to take part in track and field events, and our annual Sports Day is a highlight of the St Edmund’s calendar.
Tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a Games option for Senior boys and girls in the summer term, with an emphasis on balancing fun with achievement. Coaching is available from our own instructor, and we field competitive teams, taking part in local and district cup and league matches.
Netball
Netball
Netball thrives at St Edmund’s. We have excellent facilities, and pupils enjoy expert coaching and have the opportunity to train and play competitively from U14 to Senior teams – all of which compete successfully. A number of our players train with Canterbury Netball Academy, and we offer the opportunity for players to watch professional teams on trips and tours.
Additional Sporting Opportunities
Alongside our main competitive sports, pupils can take part in a wide range of co-curricular physical activities, including:
- Trampolining sessions in the Sports Hall
- Strength and conditioning and Sports Scholars’ training before school
- Badminton, basketball and tennis clubs
- Golf, climbing and horse riding options
- Sports Science Clinics, where pupils link practical performance to their academic study
- Cross country and athletics, with regular participation in district and county events
This broad and inclusive programme ensures every pupil has access to sport in a way that suits their interests and ambitions — whether training for elite performance, learning new skills, or simply enjoying the social and physical benefits of staying active.
Strong Community Links
St Edmund’s enjoys strong partnerships with local and national organisations, including Canterbury Hockey Club, Invicta East Kent Athletics Club, Canterbury Pilgrims Netball Club, St Lawrence and Highland Court Cricket Club, Nonington Cricket Club, Canterbury Climbing Club, the University of Kent, and Boughton Golf Club. Many of our staff also have experience of coaching or playing at district, and county level, bringing valuable insights and expertise to our pupils.
