Teams from Hertfordshire-based Bishop’s Stortford College achieved an impressive string of success across six sports in the past four months, including two national cups, three other national finals and ten championship titles at regional or county level.
In rugby, the Junior School sevens squad won the Rosslyn Park National Preparatory School Sevens Tournament as well as Hertfordshire County Under 13 whilst also reaching the quarter finals of the 64 school Berkhamsted Tournament. The U16 and U18 teams won their Hertfordshire County Sevens, also, whilst the U18 first XV reached the last eight at the Rosslyn Park National School Sevens. One of the College’s first XV players, Number Eight James Thacker, has been selected for the England U16 squad.
On the hockey circuit, the U13 boys’ first XI team was crowned IAPS (Independent Association of Preparatory Schools) national champions, whilst the U11 boys took the IAPS East Regional title on their way to winning the Plate Trophy at the National Finals. The U16 boys’ team also made their mark at national level, finishing in third place at the Indoor National Indoor Hockey Finals. In the Hertfordshire County Hockey Championships, the College secured four trophies for U13 girls plus U11, U14 and U16 boys.
College netball players retained both the U18 and U16 District championship titles, whilst the U13 team made it through to the Finals of the IAPS National Netball Tournament. At the Condover Tournament, the U15s took second place, after losing in the final by just one goal.
The swimming squads have also performed extremely well, winning the Small Schools Trophy at the national Bath & Otter competition and being crowned champions at the IAPS East Regional tournament, the Primary School Team competition and the District championships.
In football, the U11 boys were IAPS East Regional Runners Up and six players played for the U13 East Region in the ISFA (Independent Schools Football Association) National Festival at Repton School.
Finally, moving to cross country running, the College Junior School girls won the Framlingham Prep Schools’ East Area Cross Country championships.
“Our philosophy is to strike the rare balance between excelling at the highest level with our most talented pupils whilst ensuring that as many pupils as possible have the opportunity to enjoy the match experience, benefit from excellent coaching and to achieve success,” said Lyndsay Shepherd, Director of Sport at Bishop’s Stortford College. “The pupils and their coaches have shown fantastic enthusiasm, commitment and determination and I am very proud of them all.”