Sport at Sedbergh
Whether you’re chasing national selection or picking up a new sport for the first time, Sedbergh offers the space, support, and spirit to grow. Our sports programme is underpinned by a powerful belief: that sport develops character, resilience, and leadership – shaping confident young people ready to thrive in every area of life.
Sporting Excellence, Strong Academic Outcomes
While widely recognised for its sporting traditions, Sedbergh School has an equal commitment to ensuring that pupils achieve strong academic outcomes and leave with the qualifications, skills and confidence to progress to a wide range of future pathways.
The School’s philosophy of balance between academics and sporting excellence has now been formally recognised through accreditation by the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) Dual Career Accreditation Scheme, a Sport England-backed initiative that supports young athletes in balancing high-performance sport with academic success.
As a Dual Career Accredited Site, Sedbergh School becomes part of a wider network working alongside TASS to support student-athletes. Pupils benefit from a framework designed to help them manage the demands of training and competition while maintaining strong academic progress, alongside access to expertise in areas such as performance support, wellbeing and long-term development.
Sedbergh School has an international reputation for sporting excellence, built on a tradition of opportunity, ambition, and inclusion. From elite athletes training in world-class facilities to pupils discovering the joy of sport for the first time, we believe in challenging and championing every individual.
We offer a broad and inclusive sports programme where almost every discipline is open to both boys and girls. Our experienced and passionate coaching team works tirelessly with pupils of all abilities to ensure they enjoy their sport, grow in confidence, and fulfil their potential. Even those with exceptional talent in a particular area take part in a wide range of sports, encouraging balance, versatility, and teamwork.
Through a huge variety of team and individual activities, Sedbergh pupils develop more than physical skill – they practise accountability, grow in resilience, and learn to lead with confidence and courage.
Whatever your starting point, Sedbergh offers the opportunity to find your sport, your passion, and your path.
Sedbergh School shortlisted for Independent School of the Year for Sporting Achievement.
Where else, but at a Cumbrian school considered by The Times Good School Guide as a best-of-the-best would fell-running, ghyll scrambling, mountain biking, climbing, caving and sailing – traditional activities of the Cumbrian fells – feature on every pupil’s agenda?
The Independent Schools of the Year awards are well-established as the independent school sector’s leading awards programme. Against entries from hundreds of independent schools across the United Kingdom, Sedbergh was shortlisted for Independent School of the Year for Sporting achievement.
A-Z of Sports
Athletics, including track and running, is a popular option for pupils.
Our excellent indoor facilities at the Hirst Centre and in our second sports hall ensure that basketball can be played all year round. Pupils are given the opportunity of playing competitive games against other schools and inter-house competitions.
Cricket has been a longstanding part of the summer term at Sedbergh School. Recognised as a Top 100 School in The Cricketer Schools’ Guide, Sedbergh is renowned for its commitment to excellence in education and cricket.
Sedbergh pupils benefit from our extensive facilities, dietary support, strength and conditioning programme, technical capabilities – including video analysis – and a cohesive coaching programme that spans Sedbergh Prep School and the Senior School. Our highly qualified coaching team is led by James Anyon, Director of Cricket.
The past ten years have seen our teams at under 15, under 17 and under 18 levels all reach National Schools Finals. We’ve also witnessed first class international performances by current and Old-Sedberghians including Harry Brook and Mahika. 2023, was a year that could easily be thought of as a breakout year for Year 13 pupil, Mahika. She made her England debut in the summer in both one day and T20 formats. Mahika, a left-arm pace bowler picked up wickets and plenty of plaudits along the way, resulting in her being named PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year. Mahika also became the first woman to represent the School’s 1st XI.
Sedbergh has a strong Equestrian Team which has performed with distinction at many National Schools finals including Royal Windsor, Hickstead International, Keysoe and Addington Manor. The School competes in the National Schools Equestrian Association Competitions (NSEA), which span from Dressage, Show Jumping, Arena Eventing and One Day Events.
With over 30 riders across both the Prep and Senior Schools, Sedbergh’s Equestrian Team includes both boys and girls of all ages. Our riders regularly rank among the top 8 schools nationally across all disciplines, and many have earned individual and team National Champion titles. However, our main aim is that our riders and support team have great fun and enjoyment in this sport which they are passionate about. We have a lovely team spirit and support each other throughout the challenges of competing horses.
The team trains across all disciplines, with events ranging from 70cm to 1.20m, ensuring opportunities for riders of all abilities. Grassroots riders start at 40cm, focusing on fun, participation, and skill development. As riders progress, they move into more competitive levels, with competitions taking place at local, county, regional, and national stages, culminating in the National Schools Finals held twice a year.
At Sedbergh, we support the various needs of each rider. Whether competing in external events such as British Eventing (BE), British Showjumping (BS), British Dressage (BD), Showing or Pony Club, we provide the flexibility for our riders to balance their equestrian commitments with other school activities. Each rider’s program is tailored to their individual goals and needs, ensuring they can excel in all sports, not just equestrian and academic pursuits.
Many riders keep their ponies at home and are able to ride them regularly during the week if they live nearby. Alternatively many riders bring their horses to school, as we offer livery facilities at both our Prep and Senior Schools where we have an active hub of activity. The riders enjoy their time with their horses, as it is a nice breather from our fast paced lives. Our riders have access to professional local instructors and training events, ensuring they receive top-quality guidance and support. Whether pursuing school competitions or personal equestrian goals, our riders have every opportunity to develop their skills and achieve success.
At Sedbergh, we’re committed to helping each rider reach their full potential, whether they are just starting their equestrian journey or competing at the high levels.
What do people do if you give them a ball to play with? They either kick it, throw it or hit it. Fives is one of the many games which has developed from the desire to hit a ball. Instead of with a bat or a racquet, the ball is hit with the hands; so it is a kind of handball, often explained as ‘like squash but played with gloved hands’. In its modern form Fives is played as Singles or Doubles. It is a game played without a referee or umpire. Players must umpire themselves.
The first mention of Fives at Sedbergh is in the October 1880 Sedberghian magazine which records the discussion of improvements required by the ‘B’ Fives Court. The existence of courts needing repair suggests that they existed prior to this and so it is likely that Sedbergh has played Fives since at least 1870’s.
Our matches include fixtures against Strathallan School, Giggleswick School, Durham Fives Club, Derby Moor Fives Club and The Y Club Manchester. Sedbergh also enters players to the National School Championships in London at Easter.
Our up-and-coming football programme includes up to six hours of dedicated training per week and is led by a UEFA B-licensed coach with experience working for Manchester United, Everton, and Blackpool as an academy coach. In addition to his role at Sedbergh, he also works part-time for Liverpool FC and is currently coaching NW England U13 Independent Schools Rep Team.
Starting in the Michaelmas Term and continuing into the Lent Term, our junior and senior boys will enjoy a full programme of fixtures in the Independent Schools National Cup and the Cumbria Schools Cup.
Golf is available all year round at Sedbergh Golf Club, located a short distance from the school. More than 90 pupils currently play each week, with sessions held up to six days per week. During the Summer Term, golf is offered as a regular afternoon option five days per week, with two-hour sessions at Sedbergh Golf Club that include use of the driving range and indoor putting green. Pupils who take part pay a small annual membership fee (approximately £130). In the Michaelmas and Lent Terms, pupils can opt to play at the state-of-the-art golf centre in Penrith once every three weeks. Private lessons, either individually or in small groups, are also available through the club’s resident professional (at an additional cost).
Sedbergh’s golfers benefit from a full calendar of fixtures and experiences, including matches at renowned venues such as Muirfield, Royal Birkdale, The Renaissance and Craigielaw, as well as development sessions and age-group fixtures at Carus Green and Close House. The school also maintains strong links with Old Sedberghians who host teams for special events, including the Sedbergh 500 Gala Weekend. Training and recreational play take place every Thursday, with additional opportunities for Sunday play.
Both our weights gym and our state of the art gym in the Hirst Centre are open to pupils every day for pupils to drop in for fitness training. Featuring treadmills, spin cycles and a suite of fitness equipment the Hirst Centre gym hosts regular classes including circuits, cross-fit and yoga.
Hockey is a core sport during Sedbergh’s Michaelmas Term, and continues to be played in the Lent Term. In addition to achieving team success across different age groups, several Sedbergh players have earned prestigious hockey scholarships at universities in the United States. During the season we field the 13 hockey teams we field during the season – seven girls’ and five boys’ teams.
The addition of two new flood-lit, all-weather Tiger-turf pitches in 2023 marked a significant expansion of our playing facilities. The pitches’ LED directional lighting allows pupils to train at any time of the year, and well into the evening. Nick Davey, Director of Hockey, believes in developing a culture where players can make decisions, knowing that the School and coaching team are 100% behind them.
The overall health and fitness of our players are enhanced by a hockey-specific, customised strength and conditioning program, overseen by former Argentinian national hockey player Flor Zappula. Most afternoons, our girls’ teams can be found practising or playing in regular fixtures against other schools, including the top hockey schools in the country, as well as clubs and universities.
Players training with local and national performance teams receive support to travel to coaching sessions. Additionally, our sixth form pupils have the opportunity to access individual coaching sessions to enhance their technical skills.
Our school facilities include an impressive double sports hall containing two full-sized netball courts, and additional outdoor courts. Exceptional coaching, professional strength and conditioning programmes, physio and rehabilitation support are all available as part of the Sedbergh package.
The School’s location in the stunning Howgill Fells on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and on the border to the Lake District, means that pupils gravitate naturally towards activities such as fell running, climbing, fly fishing, ghyll scrambling, caving, mountain biking and open water swimming.
The Sedbergh School Football Club was founded in 1879 and has gained reputation as one of the very best rugby schools, consistently producing England internationals. Most famously, former England stars Will Greenwood and Will Carling are Old Sedberghians, while a number of OSs are still playing professional rugbyl.
In the last ten years more than 40 school boy Internationals have come through the school. Sedbergh prides itself on playing an open and attacking style of rugby, where players are encouraged to keep the ball in hand and develop their attacking skills.
Sedbergh’s success on the rugby fields has been built through an intensive and comprehensive development program. Our program looks to develop talented and highly skilled rugby players who have the ability to play at the highest levels of schools rugby and beyond. The coaching is delivered by staff who have vast amounts of playing and coaching experiences at the very highest levels of the game. The playing programme takes the teams all over the UK in search of the highest quality opposition to challenge themselves against. The playing programme now include fixtures against schools such as Wellington, Millfield, Blackrock College, Dublin and Llandovery College, Wales.
The Football Club is especially proud of the number of boys who represent the school, with 11 teams taking the field on any weekend. The playing fields of Buskholme have been described by Phil Dowson as ‘the best setting I have ever played in’. It is safe to say our playing arena is one of the best in the country.
Sedbergh School boasts one of the best environments in the country to run in; quiet country roads and a complete cross-country course with huge variety of fells. The Running Club caters for all athlete levels from beginner to elite with several senior teams and junior teams.
We have several fixtures each year both internal and external. The iconic ‘Wilson Run’ (ten mile) for sixth-form pupils is a headline event with other runs such as the Morgan Run, Three Peaks and Cross Country Trials. For the more adventurous, there are some school epics such as the ‘Ten Trigs’ or the ‘Howgill Tops’.
Sailing runs all-year at Sedbergh with activity peaking during the summer term when we sail five days a week. The Royal Navy CCF also regularly sails on during term-time. Our experience, location and facilities mean that we are equipped to provide a variety of experiences including recreational sailing, training and accreditation for RYA qualifications, annual ‘challenge’ yachting events, team-racing and attendance at regattas. As one of few schools that are a RYA registered training centre our qualified staff are able to offer training for RYA certifications.
We currently have 23 boats – including 2 powerboats and 10 Picos plus Fevas, Laser 3000s, single-handed Lasers and Argos’. Sedbergh is only 5.3 miles (a 15 minute drive) from Killington Lake where we store our boats and use the facilities of the Killington Sailing Association.
We regularly compete in endurance races such as the National Junior 12 hour race and the Southport 24 hour race, handicap events such as the Great North Asymmetric Challenge and compete in club racing at Killington Sailing Association. We have a regular programme of fixtures and on occasion we take part in the NSSA events and the RYA junior travellers’ series.
In addition to our regular sailing programme, we also run an annual Challenge Week sailing event that provides opportunities for pupils to have unique – often once-in-a-lifetime – experiences that extend their skills and test their resilience. In 2024 we will take 10 of our Year 12 pupils on a 72ft tall ship to sail up the west coast of the UK. Past events have included the 3-Peaks Yacht Race.
Pupils train in our 25m, heated, indoor pool. Our swimmers compete against over 70 schools in the Bath & Otter Cup at the London Aquatic Centre.
Shooting has been offered at Sedbergh for over 120 years. Air rifle, air pistol, and .22 rifle are available year-round, both on the on-site 10m and 25-yard ranges, and at local clubs for outdoor training. Experienced shooters have the opportunity to shoot 3-position rifle as part of the only school 3p squad in the country.
Competitive shooting is offered at all levels. In 2025/26, the team travelled to compete in the Jersey Open, two Scottish Schools/Universities tours and many British Schools and National Open competitions.
In the summer term, students have the opportunity to shoot full-bore at 200 up to 1000 yards at Huddersfield, Blair Atholl, and Bisley. Each July, shooting team members are invited to compete in the Imperial Meeting, one of the biggest full-bore competitions in the world.
The Sedbergh rifle club has a strong record of success, with many students and alumni representing Great Britain internationally. Participation is encouraged at all levels. Experienced shooters are often found coaching novices in a welcoming and friendly team environment.
Tennis is played all year round on the school’s four all-weather outdoor courts and three full-size indoor courts within our two sports halls. In the summer, we also have an additional 12 outdoor astro courts. Players are coached by the Cumbria County Coach, a fully qualified, accredited Lawn Tennis Associations (LTA) coach.
Pupils also enjoy access to our squash courts and play Table Tennis and Touch Tennis.
We encourage our pupils to develop healthy life habits, to be active and to enjoy a variety of sports. In addition to the sports above, pupils play fives on our indoor court, participate in paddle sports and rounders.
Termly Sports and Games
CCF (Army, Navy, Pipes and Drums)
Climbing
Conservation
Drama Production
Duke of Edinburgh
Fly fishing
Field Sports (School Shoot)
Football
Ghyll Scrambling and Caving
Golf
Mountain biking
Open water swimming
Paddle sports
Photography & Videography
Target Sports
Touch Tennis
Year 10 adventure activities
Athletics- Track
Ballet
Basketball
Football
Gym – Circuits
Gym – Weights
Hockey – Girls
Horse riding
Netball
Pilates
Rugby – Boys
Running
Sailing
Swimming
Target Sports it’s
Touch Rugby
Yoga
Badminton
Basketball
Cross Country Running
Fives
Football
Gym – Circuits
Gym – Weights
Hockey
Horse riding
Rugby Sevens
Squash
Swimming
Target Sports
Yoga
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Cricket
Football
Golf
Gym – Circuits
Gym – Weights
Horse riding
Netball
Rounders
Running – Track
Sailing
Soccer – 5-a-side Football
Swimming
Target Sports
Tennis
At Sedbergh, BROWN is more than just a colour – it’s who we are. Worn with pride by every team, the brown jersey represents tradition, resilience, and a deep sense of belonging. Our teams are known across the country as The Sedbergh Brown – a name that carries the weight of our sporting heritage and the spirit of our athletes.