HEALTH + WELLNESS
SPORT AT
The King ’ s School , CANTERBURY
SPORT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF BOARDING SCHOOL LIFE , AND AT THE KING ’ S SCHOOL , CANTERBURY WE STRIVE TO OFFER ALL PUPILS OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS A WIDE VARIETY OF SPORTS .
While options like hockey , rugby , netball and cricket will always have a strong take up , we ' ve seen less common school sports like fencing , sailing , basketball and squash becoming increasingly popular in recent years . Whatever their ability , our aim is for teenagers to develop an enjoyment of physical activity so that they can establish habits that will stay with them throughout life .
For those who show a special enthusiasm or talent , we have the Sports Excellence Programme in place which helps them explore their full potential . Pupils benefit from nutritional advice , strength and conditioning coaching , and sports psychology sessions which aim to develop a high-performance mindset .
Recent pupils to have benefitted from the programme include Saracens rugby player Charlie Watson , Paralympic skier Millie Knight , who won bronze at the recent Beijing Paralympics , England Under-18 rugby player Ludo Kolade , Scotland Under-18 rugby player Harrison Mackinnon , and Great Britain Under-23 distance runner Matthew Stonier .
Over the school ’ s illustrious history we have also produced a number of Olympians , the most successful being a trio of rowers : triple silver medallist Frances Houghton , gold and bronze medallist Tom Ransley , and gold medallist Fred Scarlett .
A strong coaching structure exists across all sports , and the pupils are very fortunate to be coached by the likes of Mark Ealham , former England international cricketer , and Jon Williamson , England Rowing team manager at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games .
High-class venues located at Birley ' s Playing Fields and our Recreation Centre add to the sporting experience of pupils at all levels . Access to facilities including the swimming pool , gym equipment , purpose-built fencing salle and the rowing centre at Westbere Lake offer pupils ample opportunities to try out new sports as well as give high-performers the facilities they need to push themselves .
Many pupils benefit from our close links with community sports clubs too , like Canterbury Hockey Club and Invicta East Kent Athletics Club , which enables those who want it the chance to receive additional coaching and training outside of school hours .
This gives high-achievers a chance to stretch themselves , but the core focus of our sports programme remains on allowing each individual to find their passion . In the last five years , this has led to the development of a girls ' cricket programme and a girls ' rugby activity as we continually look to offer equal opportunities across genders .
Sports scholarships are available for particularly talented individuals . Named after one our most famous sportsmen , former England cricket captain David Gower , the awards are granted to boys and girls of character and integrity who display both excellent sporting ability and sportsmanship in equal measure .
To learn more and see the facilities we offer , come and visit us in Canterbury or join us for one of our open mornings .
Find out more at www . kings-school . co . uk .
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