Increased participation leads to more sporting success
With forty teams regularly competing in weekend inter-school competitions, multiple sports teams enjoying Cup runs and a number of pupils receiving international and regional call-ups, Bradfield’s sporting teams and individuals have continued to achieve success this Michaelmas Term.
Hockey
The highlight of this term for girls’ hockey has undoubtedly been the U16’s appearance in the National Indoor Finals at Repton. Competing against the top schools in the country was always going to be tough, but the girls acquitted themselves superbly. They beat Queen’s Chester 3-1 in the first match before falling to narrow defeats against The Perse and Repton. Both games were competitive and small details meant that they ended up on the wrong side of the scoreline. However, the girls moved into the fifth-sixth playoff where they played Taunton School, winning 5-1 and earning their position as the fifth best team nationally; an outstanding achievement.
It is encouraging to see a number of our pupils playing in regional and national talent academies and consistency of performance has paid off for three individuals who received international and Premier League squad call-ups. Jess (M) impressed national selectors to make it into the England U16 squad while Harry (A) has been selected for the England U18 squad. Jazzy (I) also made her Premier League debut for Reading Hockey Club last month and we congratulate all three of them on their successes.
Football
Our boys’ 1stXI have enjoyed a strong season so far on the football pitch, beginning their campaign by reaching the semi-finals of the ISFA Sixes competition. Having managed to keep a clean sheet in every match, they lost out on a place in the final on penalties. However, not to be disheartened by the defeat, the boys have continued their fine form in the HUDL League, where they currently occupy top spot, and the Boodles ISFA Cup, in which they have reached the quarter-finals. Having had the better of the match but finding themselves drawing 0-0 at half time with Ardingly in their fourth round tie this past week, the boys stepped up in the second half and goals from Ben (D), Owen (D) and Danail (D) helped the team to a 4-0 victory. They face a trip to Shrewsbury for their last eight tie in January.
Alongside the first team our U14As and 3rdXI have both made it into the latter stages of their respective English Schools Football Association Cups, both teams having lost just once all year.
The girls’ 1stXI also enjoyed a Cup run, reaching the round of 16 following victories over St Clare’s, Oxford and Gordon’s School. They were eventually knocked out by a strong Millfield side but have enjoyed a promising season to date. Congratulations must also go to Scarlett (J), our U15s goalkeeper, who has been invited to join the Oxford United WFC GK Talent Centre for girls. Her performances, attitude and goalkeeping ability impressed the club and we look forward to seeing them support Scarlett’s development. Her teammate Ava (K) was one of fifty girls who attended the ISFA U15s representative camp over the summer. Girls football certainly looks to have a bright future.
Equestrian
It has been quite a winter season for our equestrian team as our young riders have secured victories in three separate events to qualify for the Hickstead Elite Championships in August 2024.
The team secured a first place finish in the 100cm arena eventing and third place in the 90cm in the National Schools Eventing Association event at St Mary’s Calne at the beginning of November. Cecily (J) also rode to an individual sixth place while Sofia (J) took an individual first in the 100cm event.
The team headed into their next NSEA meeting at Dauntsey’s high in confidence and another excellent performance culminated in a double win in the 100cm. Cecily placed first individually with Flora (J) finished in third and Sofia in ninth.
The team finished November in style with another successful competition at the NSEA Pangbourne College event. The team finished an impressive third out of 17 teams in the 90cm with only one second separating the top three teams. Sadly this meant missing out on qualification for the Windsor event, despite Freddie (C) pulling off an incredible jump off to win his class individually.
The young riders put their disappointment aside to gain a County Final qualification with a 100cm team victory. They will now represent Berkshire at Hickstead having won every 100cm class they have competed in this winter. Freddie produced another fast jump off to place second individually while Millie (M) finished third and Sofia fourth.
Well done to the whole team and we look forward to seeing them compete at Hickstead next summer.
Target Rifle Shooting
On the back of two outstanding years of achievement, our target rifle shooters have once again begun this year with success, winning the Wiltshire Regimental Cup and the Hicks, Suffield-Jones Cup while six cadets are up for national team shooting selection.
Bradfield and Marlborough College contested a close match for the Wiltshire. Amelie (M) shot her 1st ever possible, helping her team win 770-751 and earning a medal for the achievement in the process.
The team also travelled to RGS Guildford to shoot for the Hicks, Suffield-Jones Cup in which the score of the both the 10bull and 5bull IVs counted towards the Cup. Bradfield won an incredibly close affair 767 to 763 and this time it was Shell pupil Jay (E) who shot a possible.
The English Schools Long Range Challenge at Bisley saw 16 Bradfield firers in a field of 160. Twenty shots to count at 50 yards was a true test and remarkably four of our cadets placed in the top 30. Jay and Faulkner’s pupil Cecilia (LJ) finished second in the Junior pairs and the latter won the age 13 group with a score of 191 which was Bradfield’s best score of the day.
As the term drew to a close several cadets received international selections. Following in the footsteps of teammates Bella (M) and Maya (J), this year Amelie (M) and Will (H) received call-ups to be ‘Athelings’ as members of the BCRT. We wish them well as they join their teammates at the Ex Maple Taste in March ahead of the tour to Canada in August 2024.
A year on from her ‘Athelings’ selection, Upper Sixth pupil Bella (M) has been called forward to Ex Cape Century, the GBU19 selection weekend, for the team which travels to Guernsey next summer. We wish her well at the shooting selection in March.
Three of our Junior Bradfield have also been called forward for UKCRT selection. Roanna (M) Alex (F) & Evie (M) will join their fellow Bradfield cadets at the Ex Maple Taste selection weekend in March ahead of the UKCRT Summer tour 2024. A fine way to end the year.
