Sport

Stonyhurst is world famous for its rugby and although pupils are not required to play rugby throughout their time at the school, many choose to do so, taking part in a number of matches, tournaments and tours throughout their time at the College. Rugby has long been a sporting option at Stonyhurst, providing a number of pupils with the training and experience to go on to have successful professional sporting careers. We can boast several international sports people among our alumni, including Joe Ansbro (played for Scotland); Will Greenwood, Kyran Bracken and Iain Balshaw (all members of the England squad who won the 2003 Rugby world Cup). 

The rugby teams at Stonyhurst play in numerous matches and tournaments throughout the rugby season. One of the biggest tournaments is the annual Stonyhurst Rugby 7s Tournament, a highlight in our sporting year, and in the sporting year of the schools who venture down The Avenue to compete. In addition to the matches, both at home and away and tournaments, the Games Department organises regular trips to South Africa, where they play a number of matches against various schools in Johannesburg and Cape Town. During the tour the pupils enjoy other activities including safaris, charity work and training sessions with South African coaches.

Hockey at Stonyhurst: A Centre of Excellence for Player Development

In 2024, Stonyhurst proudly opened a state-of-the-art AstroTurf pitch and dedicated Hockey Hub, marking a new era for the sport on our historic campus. Officially recognised by England Hockey, our new facility now serves as a host venue for England Hockey Pathway training — a testament to the strength and ambition of our hockey programme.

A Leading Independent School for Hockey

Hockey is a core winter sport at Stonyhurst, played across both the Christmas and Easter terms by pupils in Lower Line (Years 9–11) and Higher Line (Years 12–13). It is a compulsory part of the PE curriculum for Lower Line girls, many of whom choose to continue their hockey journey into Sixth Form and beyond.

Competitive Fixtures and National Exposure

Stonyhurst hockey teams regularly compete in prestigious regional and national competitions, including:

• Lancashire Schools’ County Hockey Tournament

• National Schools’ Hockey Championships

• Independent Schools’ Hockey League

We also field competitive teams across nearly all year groups, with weekly fixtures against other top independent and local schools — providing regular high-quality match play and development opportunities.

Strong Club Links and County Representation

We maintain strong partnerships with local hockey clubs such as Pendle Forest, Clitheroe, and Garstang, enabling pupils to train and compete year-round. Many of our players represent Lancashire at county level, and a growing number progress into the England Hockey Performance Pathway — demonstrating the strength and reach of our hockey coaching.

Inclusive, Development-Focused Hockey Programme

Hockey at Stonyhurst is inclusive and accessible to all pupils. From complete beginners to county-level players, our programme offers:

• After-school beginner hockey sessions

• Opportunities to represent the school in development fixtures

• Tailored coaching to support all abilities

Our approach nurtures enjoyment, fitness, skill development, and team spirit — ensuring that every pupil has the chance to flourish.

Cricket at Stonyhurst: A Historic Summer Tradition for Boys and Girls

Cricket is one of the oldest and most cherished sports at Stonyhurst College, deeply embedded in our rich sporting heritage. Over the years, it has grown to become the leading summer sport for both boys and girls, offering pupils of all ages the opportunity to develop skills, build character, and enjoy the camaraderie of team competition against the breathtaking backdrop of the Ribble Valley.

Elite Pathways and National Recognition

Stonyhurst has a proud tradition of producing talented cricketers, including professional athletes such as Liberty Heap, who has represented England Women's U19 and Lancashire. Our cricket programme supports pupils aiming for county and national honours, while maintaining a strong emphasis on inclusivity and participation at every level.

Year-Round Opportunities for Competitive Play

While cricket is traditionally played during the Summer Term, our girls' teams also compete during the Autumn Term in the National Indoor Cricket Championships. In 2024 and 2025, our U13 girls reached the national finals at Lord’s — placing Stonyhurst among the top five schools for indoor girls’ cricket in England.

Fixtures, Festivals, and Flagship Matches

Our cricket teams play a full block of competitive fixtures each summer against leading schools such as Sedbergh School and Kirkham Grammar, alongside participation in local, county, and national tournaments. The First XI also enjoys high-profile matches against the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Old Stonyhurst (OS) alumni teams, and — in years past — even the Vatican Cricket Team, both at home and abroad in Rome.

Tradition Meets Playfulness: The Hodder Match

Stonyhurst cricket is rich in tradition, including the beloved annual Hodder Match. Each May, our Rhetoric (Year 13) pupils don fancy dress to challenge the youngest cricketers in Elements (Years 5 & 6). In true Stonyhurst fashion, the match ends with Elements winning by exactly one run — every year!

A Sport for All, Set in a Spectacular Setting

Whether pupils are aiming for national selection or simply enjoying the summer sun, cricket at Stonyhurst is designed to be inclusive, enjoyable, and character-building. With multiple pitches, expert coaching, and an unbeatable location, our cricket programme continues to thrive as a key pillar of sport at Stonyhurst.

Netball is one of the major winter games here at Stonyhurst, it is compulsory for Lower Line girls, but often the sport of choice for our Higher Line girls. With six outdoor netball courts and the use of our indoor sports hall, there is plenty of space for our pupils to enjoy netball. We have A and B teams in each Lowerline age group and 4 senior teams ranging from the Elite teams to recreational players.

Many of our girls go on to represent the County and progress through the High performance pathways. We have links with Manchester Thunder and Leeds Rhinos netball. Every year we enter the National Schools, ISNC; and we regularly represent Lancashire in Regional Finals. We also host the annual Stonyhurst Invitation netball and hockey tournament, this year alone we had 24 teams in the netball.

With high-performance facilities including a state-of-the-art, LTA registered tennis dome and a variety of outdoor courts, The Tennis Academy at Stonyhurst offers the perfect location for tennis coaching. Our tennis provision is headed up by former professional tennis player and Director of Tennis, David Shaw alongside Liz Thomas, Level 4 LTA Senior Performance Tennis Coach and former professional. The facilities and top-quality training programme offered at Stonyhurst will nurture the next generation of players. Whether they play on one of the seven outdoor courts, surrounded by the beautiful grounds and historic buildings or venture into the modern indoor tennis court providing a place to play tennis all year-round.

Stonyhurst College’s world-class tennis dome was opened in May 2017 by tennis legend Tim Henman OBE. The dome is 10m high and offers two Grand Slam size tennis courts, with high-performing acoustics and glare-free playing conditions.

It really is a top-class facility which will create a multitude of opportunities for children of all ages to enjoy the all-round benefits of tennis.

Tim Henman OBE

Full Updated Summary of Stonyhurst Tennis Academy – Awards & Achievements

Tennis Accreditation & Partnerships

• Lawn Tennis Registered Centre – awarded November 2018.

• Stonyhurst College and Stonyhurst St Mary’s Hall became members of the Tennis Foundation – November 2018.

• Head Tennis UK agreement confirmed – September 2018.

Leadership & Coaching Development

• Eight Stonyhurst College pupils became Tennis Leaders, mentored by the Director of Tennis.

• Tennis Academy launched – 2023, establishing a structured performance pathway for county, regional and national level players, supported by high-performance coaching and access to Stonyhurst’s indoor and outdoor facilities.

Competitive Success & Regional Titles

• LTA Lancashire Tennis School of the Year – December 2021 (second consecutive year).

• LTA Youth Schools (Division 2) North Regional Champions – October 2022. (commonly referenced though not directly sourced here)

• LTA North of England Tennis Champions – March 2023 (senior boys’ and girls’ teams). (widely reported for 2023)

• North of England Championships – March 2025: Girls’ team finished first and second; U18 boys progressed strongly in national competition.

National Recognition

• Named one of the “Top Six UK Schools for Tennis” ahead of Wimbledon 2025 by Which School Advisor, highlighting the strength of coaching, competitive results and tennis provision across the school.

Ongoing Excellence

• Under the leadership of Director of Tennis David Shaw and the elite coaching team, with high-performance facilities including indoor and outdoor courts, the Academy continues to grow and produce players competing at regional and national levels.

Swimming at Stonyhurst: Excellence in the Water from Age Three to Eighteen

Stonyhurst is proud to offer outstanding swimming facilities that inspire pupils to excel and develop a lifelong love of the water. Our 25-metre, 6-lane indoor swimming pool is equipped with AntiWave lane ropes and competition-standard starting blocks, making it one of the finest school pools in the North West. Opened by Olympic gold medallist David Wilkie in 1987, the pool remains a vibrant centre of training, competition, and personal growth.

A Lifelong Swimming Journey

Swimming begins early at Stonyhurst, with pupils starting their aquatic journey in Hodder House (Pre-Prep) from the age of three. Our structured swimming pathway supports progression at every stage, from learning to float and swim with confidence, to advanced techniques, endurance, and race preparation.

Throughout their school years, pupils continue to benefit from expert coaching, timetabled lessons, and optional squad training. Swimming at Stonyhurst is designed to build not just skill and fitness, but also resilience, sportsmanship, and self-belief.

A Competitive and Character-Building Swim Programme

Stonyhurst’s competitive swim team trains regularly and competes in both local and national school swimming competitions. Our swimmers are recognised not only for their talent and discipline, but for the values they represent: courage in the water, kindness toward teammates and opponents, and a team spirit that reflects the heart of our Jesuit ethos.

A Sport for All, in a Facility That Inspires

From beginners to elite competitors, the swimming programme at Stonyhurst offers opportunities for every pupil to thrive. Whether aiming for podiums or personal bests, pupils swim in a facility that fosters achievement, character, and community.

At Stonyhurst, swimming is more than a sport — it’s a journey of growth, guided by expert coaching, supported by peers, and anchored in a tradition of excellence.

Football plays an important role in life at Stonyhurst, with opportunities for both boys and girls to develop confidence, teamwork and a lifelong enjoyment of sport. Through high-quality coaching and competitive fixtures, pupils of all abilities are encouraged to progress at their own pace while balancing sport alongside their academic journey.

For those seeking a more focused performance pathway, the Football School of Excellence offers enhanced training in partnership with NCE Soccer (USA) and the University of Lancashire. Pupils benefit from tailored sessions delivered by UEFA-qualified coaches, alongside sports science support provided on site, offering a holistic approach to player development and opportunities to compete and train both in the UK and internationally.