​Stonyhurst accomplish a remarkable sporting season

Stonyhurst College and Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall, have achieved remarkable sporting success over the past few weeks. Teams and individuals have excelled in rugby, tennis, cricket, swimming, hockey, and netball - both regionally and nationally.

As the Rugby Sevens season ends, Stonyhurst reflects on a highly successful period. During the Stonyhurst Sevens tournament the U11s, U13s, and Seniors won their respective age groups with the U16s making it to the semi-finals. The Stonyhurst U15s won 21 matches out of 22, winning the tournaments at Bolton, Audenshaw, and AKS Lytham, and achieved runners-up in the final at the King’s School Macclesfield Sevens. The U14s team were winners at the Bolton Tournament in their age category. The 1st VII squad played in the Rosslyn Park National Sevens where they became group winners on day one, progressing onto the final day of the competition. The senior rugby squad now turns their attention to the South Africa tour departing in July.

Further sporting success was on display at the incredibly competitive Lancashire Swimming Championships with a number of talented individuals from across the country taking part. Ethan, in Year 8, did Stonyhurst proud and as he registered third in butterfly, fourth in backstroke, and is within the top ten as a freestyler in the national rankings. Alongside these elite national performance times he achieved nine personal bests overall and came away with a total of five silver and four bronze medals. He will now go on to swim in the Regional Swimming Championships at the end of April.

Following these tremendous achievements was the North West Hockey Tournament, held on the 22nd March. Stonyhurst U11 girls were crowned North West Hockey Champions following three consecutive tournament successes; winning a clean sweep of all the tournaments they have entered this season.

Cricket at Stonyhurst has levelled up with the U14/15 girls becoming Lancashire Indoor Cricket Champions. The team will go on to represent Lancashire at the North of England finals in April to decide who will play in the National final at Lord’s in the summer. A number of Stonyhurst girls have been selected to play for professional cricket teams including Liberty who has been training with the Lancashire Thunder squad; culminating in her selection to be the first-ever Lancashire womens’ season tour in Dubai.

Tennis at Stonyhurst has also been thriving with the A Teams playing in the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) North Regional Tennis Finals on 10th March. Stonyhurst boys played a number of exceptional matches, winning 5-1 overall and becoming the LTA North Regional Champions. The team triumphed over Altrincham Grammar School, who had previously defeated Stonyhurst, demonstrating the team’s progress through hard work and determination over the past year. At the end of March, the Stonyhurst Girls Team won the LTA Aberdare National Tournament against Wilmslow High School who play at a very competitive level.

Netball at Stonyhurst has excelled with both the U15 and 1st VII teams reaching the national quarter-finals of the ‘Sisters n Sport’ competition in March. The U14 and 1st VII also won the Stonyhurst Invitation Tournament with a number of top performing sports schools attending including Rossall and Lancaster Royal Grammar School. Many Stonyhurst netballers now play for professional teams including Manchester Thunder and Leeds Rhinos.

Finally, Year 7 pupil, George, became National Champion at the Pony Club Winter Triathlon finals last week. A huge achievement against some talented individuals from across the UK. The event included running, swimming, and shooting. George was placed first, winning the award for ‘Best Swim’. He now aspires to compete in the Olympic Games in the near future.

Simon Charles, Director of Sport at Stonyhurst College, says: "Our young people are dedicated and determined individuals which has resulted in the outstanding results they have achieved over the past few weeks. Our links with Sale Sharks Rugby, Lancashire Tennis, Lancashire Cricket, and Northwest Thunder provide our young people with the opportunity to perform at a higher level. Our Sports Scholarship programme offers an enhanced pathway for pupils who are talented in sport and are serious in taking that next step onto a professional career."

Stonyhurst’s sportsmen and women of all abilities are fully supported in developing their passions and becoming the best they can be. Pupils are able to attend additional coaching sessions and use the vast onsite facilities available. Stonyhurst is committed to developing and supporting talented young people to an elite level and look forward to seeing what the future holds for them.