Sports
All of Queen Ethelburga’s students follow a sports programme with the values of fair play, honesty and determination at its heart. Our motto of ‘to be the best that I can, with the gifts that I have’ is never more evident than through the work we do as TEAM QE.
Sports Facilities
The outstanding range of high quality facilities on campus enables us to deliver the wide range of sporting activities that we have on offer so successfully.
The QE offer is unique, in that we have a dedicated Sports Village, completed in 2016, to which all students have access to inside and outside of formal school hours.
The Village is home to a 25-metre swimming pool, triple court sports hall, 100 station fitness suite and free weights centre. Outside we have a four-lane synthetic cushioned running track and over 30 acres of grass and 3G artificial pitches. We also have a number of specialist studios used for; martial arts, wrestling, dance, gymnastics, table tennis, cycling, archery, fencing and boxing.
In addition to all this, the students can make use of an eight-metre climbing wall at the campus activity centre, which also houses an assault course, BMX track and additional tennis courts. There really is something for everyone and for all abilities.
Physical Education
All Queen Ethelburga’s students follow a sports programme designed to stimulate the values of fair play, honesty, determination and application through a wide variety of pursuits.
Health and fitness is a vital part of school life for QE students with many continuing with sport and exercise, either recreationally or as a route of study, through to their chosen university or career pathway.
There are a wide range of sports and activities available including: rugby, hockey, football, netball, cricket, swimming, basketball, rounders, tennis, fencing, dance, gymnastics, trampolining, archery, cross country, badminton, and volleyball.
The facilities on campus are outstanding, with the recent development of our dedicated Sports Village, to which all students have additional access outside of formal school hours. Staff cater for all abilities and encourage each student to enjoy all the fantastic opportunities on offer during their time at QE.
Performance Sports
There are eight performance sports at Queen Ethelburga's; Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Netball, Rugby and Swimming. These sports benefit from higher coaching expertise, the opportunity to compete at a good level across different age ranges and the option to partake in Professional Sport Programmes.
Specialist high-level coaching, as part of a Performance Sports Programme, is provided for those students wishing to pursue their chosen sport and represent for that sport at county level or above.
Sports options in the programme include; athletics, basketball, cricket, football, rugby, netball, hockey and swimming. Each students' Programme follows a unique scheme of work including the latest tactical, technical, physical and mental training. They are designed with individual talent development as the key component and present opportunities for students to develop their skills through to UK and international competition.
Our Sports Science Centre, provides students with a movement analysis testing and monitoring facility, together with equipment designed for assessing a broad range of health and fitness indicators. To help the rehabilitation and post training recovery of our students, we also have our Sports Treatment Centre where we use tools such as our on-site underwater treadmills and cryotherapy cold spa baths.
Importantly, all our Performance Sport students are enrolled within The Faculty, where the flexibility of the curriculum allows them to combine their sporting programme with a range of options in GCSE, A level and BTEC courses in both Key Stages 4 and 5. This enables them to maintain a well-rounded education whilst pursuing their passion. They also have access to a strong network of pastoral and academic support including Tutors, Heads of Year, and Academic Learning Mentors.
Students are taught responsibility, resilience and leadership skills, and challenged to achieve at the highest level at all times.
Dara's Story
Sports Opportunities
Athletics
Queen Ethelburga’s provides opportunities to compete in Track and Field (T&F) and Cross Country (XC) for students across the school.
As part of an annual athletics itinerary, QE hosts and competes against local schools. QE students also take part in the English Schools Athletics Association (ESAA) Track and Field Cup, Harrogate and Craven Athletic Clubs events and the ISA Championships.
QE students are encouraged to join Track and Field Running Clubs, to partake in more athletics outside the curriculum programme. Students on the Performance Sports Programme (PSP) receive additional specialist coaching geared towards their events, as well as strength and conditioning sessions linked to their athletics discipline, to maximise their full potential.
The athletics facilities at QE are of the highest standard and include an all-weather floodlit track, four long jump pits and high jump and throwing areas.
Athletes at QE have represented county, England North, England Juniors and Great Britain Juniors. Post-QE athletes have gone on to represent Great Britain Seniors and England Senior teams.
Curriculum Athletics
Queen Ethelburga’s operates an annual athletics itinerary and provides opportunities to compete in Track and Field (T&F) and Cross Country (XC) for students across the school.
QE students are encouraged to join Track and Field Running Clubs and event days such as the annual Queen Ehtelburga's Race For Life 5km run so that they can participate in more athletics outside the curriculum programme
Competitive Athletics
As part of an annual athletics itinerary, QE hosts and competes against local schools. QE students take part in the English Schools Athletics Association (ESAA) Track and Field Cup as well as Harrogate and Craven Athletic Club events and the ISA Championships.
Students on the Performance Sport Programme (PSP) receive additional specialist coaching geared towards their events, as well as strength and conditioning sessions linked to their athletics discipline in order to truly maximise their full potential.
Past Success
Athletes at QE have represented county, England North, England Juniors and Great Britain Juniors. Post-QE athletes have gone on to represent Great Britain Seniors and England Senior teams.
Coaching Expertise
Coaching is provided by Lead Athletics Coach, Ms Karen Buck, who is a UK Athletics Level 3 Coach with 25 years of coaching experience including a Team Manager for British Athletics at the UK School Games (UKSG). As a former athlete gaining an England Vest, Ms Buck went into coaching after retiring from competition. Ms Buck then supported the athletics development of her eldest son, as he competed for Team GB, including at the World European and Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012.
Ms Buck is part of the England Athletics Tutor Workforce delivering coaching education to new coaches. She is also part of England Athletics National Coach Development Programme for Speed and Youth development: British Athletics Female coach legacy programme.
Partnerships
QE has close links with England Athletics, hosting EA events which allow students the opportunity to train with elite athletes and receive specialist coaching.
QE also has close links to the City of York Athletic Club, which allows individuals the opportunity to compete at local club competitions and national competitions.
Facilities
The athletics facilities at QE are of the highest standard and include an all-weather floodlit track, four long jump pits and high jump and throwing areas.
Basketball
Basketball at Queen Ethelburga’s has grown exponentially over its 5-year existence and QE is now considered one of the top academies in the country.
The combination of access to world class strength and conditioning facilities and personalised skill development sessions, in school time, has enabled an individual developmental focus for all athletes to thrive and improve. This is supplemented by after-school team training sessions, which focus on tactical improvement and match preparation.
QE offers competition at senior level in the invitation-only Academies Basketball League. This is paired with club competition, in association with QE York Knights, who compete in the National Basketball League and are in the North Premier Division. QE is one of a few select schools that boasts a national league club, made primarily of students from a singular school. With the recent addition of both U16 and U14 teams, QE York Knights now compete in the North Conference of the National League. This enables students lower down the school to have the same opportunities as senior teams. In addition, QE also competes in the English Schools’ Competition across different age groups and, in previous years, has reached the National Finals.
The Performance Sport Programme (PSP) is available to students from Year 7 that wish to improve their basketball through small group development sessions and strength and conditioning programmes and is based on personalised individual needs. Basketball is heavily represented in the curriculum school-wide and is supported by after school and lunch time activities for all. These include sessions for students looking to develop to the highest levels, alongside inclusive activities for all to enjoy.
Present and former students have represented Great Britain, England and Wales at junior level and many have been awarded scholarships to US universities upon graduating from QE.
Curriculum Basketball
Basketball is played throughout the various age groups as part of the curriculum. QE students are also encouraged to play extra-curricular basketball for fun or to compete.
Competitive Basketball
Academy
Basketball at QE has grown exponentially over its 5-year existence and QE is now considered one of the top academies in the country with opportunities to compete at senior level in the invitation-only Academies Basketball League as well as the English Schools’ Competition across different age groups.
York Knights
In addition to academy competitions, QE is one of a few select schools that boasts a national league club, made primarily of students from a singular school. The opportunity to compete at club-level is in association with QE York Knights, who compete in the National Basketball League and are in the North Premier Division. With the recent addition of both U16 and U14 teams, QE York Knights now also compete in the North Conference of the National League. This enables students lower down the school to have the same opportunities as senior teams.
Performance Sport Programme
The Performance Sports Programme (PSP) is available to students from Year 7 that wish to improve their basketball through small group development sessions and strength and conditioning programmes and is based on personalised individual needs. Basketball is heavily represented in the curriculum school-wide and is supported by after school and lunch time activities for all. These include sessions for students looking to develop to the highest levels, alongside inclusive activities for all to enjoy.
The combination of access to world class strength and conditioning facilities and personalised skill development sessions during school time, has enabled an individual developmental focus for all athletes to thrive and improve. This is supplemented by after-school team training sessions, which focus on tactical improvement and match preparation.
Past Success
In previous years, the QE team has reached the National Finals of the English Schools’ Competition.
Present and former students have represented Great Britain, England and Wales at junior level and many have been awarded scholarships to US universities upon graduating from QE.
Cricket
Queen Ethelburga’s offers opportunities to be involved in cricket from Years 3 to 13, with lunchtime and after-school activities offered to all students throughout the school year.
Building an appreciation and enjoyment of the sport and providing a firm foundation in basic cricket skills underpin the QE approach to this quintessentially English sport.
The curriculum-based work in the summer term is designed to encourage participation in school. The aim is to ensure that each cricketer develops their skills to their full potential. We offer a Performance Sports Programme (PSP), where individual learning, including a personally-tailored strength and conditioning programme, is undertaken.
The school play competitive cricket at all levels, with a comprehensive fixture programme, including matches against local schools and clubs and, at senior level, against county U17 sides, as well as the MCC.
QE cricket facilities include a purpose built cricket ground with six grass wickets and one artificial wicket, alongside a net area comprising four artificial surfaces and two grass surfaces. QE is unique in offering floodlit cricket, extending the opportunities for students to play.
Present and former students have played at Junior County level, for area teams and for their local clubs. Former students have also represented England U19s and played second XI cricket for their respective counties at senior level.
Curriculum Cricket
Queen Ethelburga’s offers opportunities to be involved in cricket from Years 3 to 13, with lunchtime and after-school activities offered to all students throughout the school year. Building an appreciation and enjoyment of the sport and providing a firm foundation in basic cricket skills underpin the QE approach to this quintessentially English sport.
The curriculum-based work in the summer term is designed to encourage participation in school. The aim is to ensure that each cricketer develops their skills to their full potential.
Competitive Cricket
The school play competitive cricket at all levels, with a comprehensive fixture programme, including matches against local schools and clubs and, at senior level, against county U17 sides, as well as the MCC.
We offer a Performance Sports Programme (PSP), where individual learning, including a personally-tailored strength and conditioning programme, is undertaken.
Past Success
Present and former students have played at Junior County level, for area teams and for their local clubs. Former students have also represented England U19s and played second XI cricket for their respective counties at senior level.
Coaching Expertise
Coaching is provided by Lead Coach, Mr Andy Rowsell, who is an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Level 3 Coach with more than 35 years coaching experience. Formerly EPP Head Coach at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, he was Yorkshire Schools’ U15 Coach for 30 years and continues to work for the ECB on performance programmes and on overseeing the North of England at U15 and U17 level.
Mr Rowsell has led tours to South Africa with junior county sides and more recently to Sri Lanka with the England U16 side. He currently works for the ECB as a scout, identifying talent on the England U19 programme.
Cricket Coach and former Essex County Cricket Club leg spin bowler, Mr Tom Craddock, assists Mr Rowsell in coaching cricket at QE, enhancing the development of young cricketers in all aspects of the game.
Partnerships
QE has close links with county cricket. QE students attend county pathway programmes during the winter. In the senior school, performance programmes mirror the work of both Yorkshire CCC and Durham CCC, where this year, many students are currently working with their respective academies. QE has also established links with the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Adelaide, Australia, which will provide students with cricketing opportunities post 18 years.
Facilities
QE cricket facilities include a purpose built cricket ground with six grass wickets and one artificial wicket, alongside a net area comprising four artificial surfaces and two grass surfaces. QE is unique in offering floodlit cricket, extending the opportunities for students to play.
Football
Football is a key strand of the excellent sporting education that students receive at Queen Ethelburga’s and is available to students of all abilities, from Year 3 to 13.
In addition to the football curriculum, QE competes in local and national competitions as full members of the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA), Independent Schools Association (ISA), English Schools Football Association (ESFA) and Association of Colleges (AoC). At senior level, QE students take part in fixtures against professional academy teams that provide great opportunities for students to test themselves against some of the best players nationally.
Present and former students have represented the ISFA National teams, at different age groups, and some also play extra-curricular football at county or semi-professional level.
As part of the Performance Sports Programme (PSP), students sign up to additional sessions, beyond the curriculum, that provide opportunities to work on skills, tactics, strength and conditioning, analysis and nutrition.
QE is proud to provide world class facilities for football including: a triple court sports hall, seven exceptional grass pitches suitable for football and four 3G artificial pitches, all kept by professional grounds staff.
Curriculum Football
Football is a key strand of the excellent sporting education that students receive at Queen Ethelburga’s and is available to students of all abilities, from Year 3 to 13.
Competitive Football
QE competes in local and national competitions as full members of the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA), Independent Schools Association (ISA), English Schools Football Association (ESFA) and Association of Colleges (AoC). At senior level, QE students take part in fixtures against professional academy teams that provide great opportunities for students to test themselves against some of the best players nationally.
As part of the Performance Sports Programme (PSP), students sign up to additional sessions, beyond the curriculum, that provide opportunities to work on skills, tactics, strength and conditioning, analysis and nutrition.
Past Success
Our current first team won the ISA Nothern 8-a-side tournament.
Present and former students have represented the ISFA National teams, at different age groups, and some also play extra-curricular football at county or semi-professional level.
A number of our students, past and present, have secured sports scholarships to student and represent college teams in America.
Coaching Expertise
Mr Paul Bolland is Queen Ethelburga’s Lead Football Coach. He is a former professional footballer and holder of a Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) B Level 3 Coaching Licence, an FA Youth Award and is currently working towards his UEFA A Level 4 Licence.
Mr Bolland enjoyed a 15-year professional playing career, making over 400 appearances whilst representing Bradford City, Notts County, Grimsby Town, Macclesfield Town, Mansfield Town and Harrogate Town Football Clubs.
His career highlights include appearances at Wembley Stadium in the 2008 Football League Trophy final and the League Two Play-off Final, at the Millennium Stadium, in 2006. Since retiring from the professional game, Mr Bolland has also been Head Coach for Harrogate Town U18s and he has managed his own football academy.
Performance Football Coach, Mr Tom Newey, is a former English professional footballer and holder of both a UEFA A Level 4 Coaching Licence an an FA Youth Award. During a 15-year professional playing career, he played over 475 games, representing Leeds United, Cambridge United, Darlington, Leyton Orient, Grimsby Town, Rochdale, Bury, Rotherham United, Scunthorpe United, Oxford United and Northampton Town Football Clubs.
Whilst at Grimsby Town, Mr Newey played in the League Two Play-off Final, at the Millennium stadium, and also captained his side in the Football League Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium. Since retiring from the professional game, he has completed a BSc (Hons) in Exercise and Sports Science, and coached in professional academies at Rotherham United and Leeds United.
Partnerships
The QE coaches maintain their connections with contacts from the professional game, which has enabled them to organise several fixtures against Academy club teams such as Leeds United, Bradford City and Sheffield Wednesday. Students also take part in football programmes with UK universities and fellow ISFA member schools and compete in local and national tournaments.
In addition, strong links have been made with USA Sport Scholarship organisations who offer a realistic pathway to UK students. In recent years, a number of QE students have achieved full and partial scholarship offers in the US.
Facilities
QE is proud to provide world class facilities for football including: a triple court sports hall, seven exceptional grass pitches suitable for football and four 3G artificial pitches, all kept by professional grounds staff.
Hockey
Hockey is offered as a major sport for all age groups at Queen Ethelburga’s, with girls taking part in the winter term and boys in the spring term.
The senior teams play across both winter and spring term and training is offered to every age group across the academic year.
Students engage in an extensive indoor and outdoor fixture programme with schools across the North of England and the Midlands, and a number of UK university club teams. Students regularly attend regional events, with the U18 girls achieving qualification for the National Indoor Hockey Finals, in 2017 and 2018.
Queen Ethelburga’s have excellent hockey facilities, including both a water-turf pitch and a sand-dressed-turf pitch.
High-quality facilities and coaching mean that students can benefit from a personalised Performance Sports Programme (PSP). Individual and small group hockey sessions allow a more detailed analysis of technical and tactical competence, allowing detailed individualised plans to be created and managed. This encompasses a bespoke strength and conditioning programme alongside sports psychology support, video analysis, prehabilitation support and rehabilitation support.
At QE, a well-supported club and talent pathway for hockey is central to the success of the programme. Present and former students play at county, regional and national level and there are international honours among the alumni of the hockey programme.
Curriculum Hockey
Hockey is offered as a major sport for all age groups at Queen Ethelburga’s, with girls taking part in the winter term and boys in the spring term.
Competitive Hockey
The senior teams play across both winter and spring term with training offered to every age group across the academic year. During the year, students engage in an extensive indoor and outdoor fixture programme with schools across the North of England and the Midlands, and a number of UK university club teams. Students regularly attend regional events, with the U18 girls achieving qualification for the National Indoor Hockey Finals, in 2017 and 2018.
At QE, a well-supported club and talent pathway for hockey is central to the success of the programme. High-quality facilities and coaching mean that students can benefit from a personalised Performance Sports Programme (PSP). Individual and small group hockey sessions allow a more detailed analysis of technical and tactical competence, allowing detailed individualised plans to be created and managed. This encompasses a bespoke strength and conditioning programme alongside sports psychology support, video analysis, prehabilitation support and rehabilitation support.
Past Success
Present and former students play at county, regional and national level and there are international honours among the alumni of the hockey programme.
Partnerships
QE coaches have strong links with Leeds Hockey Club and a significant number of girls, past and present, playing in the EHL. Strong links have also been forged with local clubs including Harrogate, Thirsk, Selby and City of York, with many former students currently playing for these.
Facilities
Queen Ethelburga’s have excellent hockey facilities, including both a water-turf pitch and a sand-dressed-turf pitch.
Netball
Queen Ethelburga’s is an exceptional environment for netballers of all ages to develop skills and strive for their future goals, both academically and athletically.
The school enjoys competitive netball at all levels, with students taking part in an extensive fixture programme of matches against local and regional schools and clubs. At senior level, students can participate in strong competitive fixtures against other schools in local, regional and national tournaments.
Present and former students have earned selection to county, regional and national netball teams and have represented England U17s, England U19s and Ireland U17s. They have also played in the Vitality Netball Super League, Netball Performance League (NPL) U21 and NPL teams and premier club netball teams.
Team QE’s Netball U19s currently hold the prestigious 2019 National Schools Competition title and the Yorkshire Regional title.
QE offers opportunities to be involved in netball beyond the curriculum, from Years 3 to 13. Lunchtime and after-school activities throughout the school year, encourage and provide all students with the opportunity to enjoy the basic, fundamental skills of netball. QE has a term-based netball curriculum designed to encourage participation for fun.
We strive to ensure that each netballer develops skills to maximise their full potential. Students can take full advantage of one-to-one coaching, strength and conditioning programmes, nutritional advice, physiotherapy and massage, to meet their individual developmental needs.
Some students are engaged on a Performance Sports Programme (PSP) where a higher level of individual learning is undertaken.
QE provides a total of fourteen high-quality netball courts across campus including ten outdoor and floodlit courts, three indoor courts and a full-sized international standard court with ample spectator seating.
Curriculum Netball
Queen Ethelburga’s is an exceptional environment for netballers of all ages to develop skills and strive for their future goals, both academically and athletically. At QE, there is a term-based netball curriculum designed to encourage participation for fun but we also offer opportunities to be involved in netball beyond the curriculum from Years 3 to 13, through lunchtime and after-school activities which run throughout the school year. These sessions are aimed at encouraging and providing all students with the opportunity to enjoy the basic, fundamental skills of netball.
Competitive Netball
The school enjoys competitive netball at all levels with students taking part in an extensive fixture programme of matches against local and regional schools and clubs. At senior level, students can participate in strong competitive fixtures against other schools in local, regional and national tournaments.
We strive to ensure that each netballer develops skills to maximise their full potential. Students can take full advantage of one-to-one coaching, strength and conditioning programmes, nutritional advice, physiotherapy and massage, all in order to meet their individual developmental needs. Some students take their training another step further and are engaged on a Performance Sports Programme (PSP), where a higher level of individual learning is undertaken.
Past Success
Team QE’s Netball U19s currently hold the prestigious 2019 National Schools Competition title and the Yorkshire Regional title.
Present and former students have earned selection to county, regional and national netball teams and have represented England U17s, England U19s and Ireland U17s. They have also played in the Vitality Netball Super League, Netball Performance League (NPL) U21 and NPL teams and premier club netball teams.
Partnerships
QE has close links with Netball Yorkshire. A number of students attend the North Yorkshire County Pathway Programme during the winter, which is based at QE. In the senior school, many students are involved with Leeds Rhinos, Loughborough Lightning and Team Northumbria performance academies. Students also play a selection of international schools as they tour the UK.
Facilities
QE provides a total of 14 high-quality netball courts across campus: 10 outdoor and floodlit courts, three indoor courts and a full-sized international standard court with ample spectator seating.
Rugby
At Queen Ethelburga’s, students are offered competitive rugby at all levels with an extensive fixture programme comprising matches against local schools and clubs. At senior level these fixtures expand to include other regional Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) Academies.
We offer an innovative and exciting Performance Sports Programme (PSP) where a higher level of individual learning is undertaken. The Programme involves technical and tactical work, video analysis and a strength and conditioning programme which is specifically designed to meet the student’s individual needs.
There are also opportunities for students to be involved in rugby beyond the curriculum, in Years 3 to 13, with lunchtime and after-school activities for senior students throughout the school year.
Past and present students have played for county, regional and international teams, which is always encouraged at QE.
The facilities at QE are outstanding with seven superb grass pitches suitable for rugby and four state-of-the-art 3G astro pitches. All are floodlit and looked after by professional grounds staff.
Curriculum Rugby
Rugby forms part of the core Physical Education curriculum and there are also opportunities for students to be involved in rugby beyond the curriculum, in Years 3 to 13, with lunchtime and after-school activities for senior students throughout the school year.
Competitive Rugby
At Queen Ethelburga’s, students are offered competitive rugby at all levels with an extensive fixture programme comprising matches against local schools and clubs. At senior level these fixtures expand to include other regional Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) Academies.
We offer an innovative and exciting Performance Sports Programme (PSP) where a higher level of individual learning is undertaken. The Programme involves technical and tactical work, video analysis and a strength and conditioning programme which is specifically designed to meet the student’s individual needs.
Past Success
Past and present students have played for county, regional and international teams, which is always encouraged at QE.
Coaching Expertise
Coaching is led by Rugby Football Union (RFU) Level 3 Coach, Mr Rob Hardwick, who has more than 30 years of coaching and playing experience. A former professional player with London Irish and La Rochelle, Mr Hardwick gained International Honours for England and has also represented the Barbarians Football Club.
For the past 13 years, Mr Hardwick has worked in the independent school sector. He has also been involved in county programmes for U16, U17 and U18, as well as divisional rugby with Midlands U16. There he worked on the elite player pathway, helping many players move into professional rugby and RFU professional academies.
Partnerships
QE has close links with the Yorkshire Rugby Football Union and strong links with Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby.
Facilities
The facilities at QE are outstanding with seven superb grass pitches suitable for rugby and four state-of-the-art 3G astro pitches. All are floodlit and looked after by professional grounds staff.
Swimming
Students at Queen Ethelburga’s compete in matches arranged against local schools, at both junior and senior level. Students compete at regional level within English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA) and in both regional and national level school competitions, within the ISA.
The school offers opportunities to be involved in swimming at both lunchtime and after-school activities.
The activity programme for swimming has been separated into swimming development groups and swimming squad training. The focus for swimming development at QE is very much on enjoyment and providing a firm foundation in the basic swimming skills and techniques. swimming squad training is aimed at enabling QE students to compete at the highest possible level. Some students within swimming squad are also engaged on a Performance Sports Programme, (PSP) where individual learning is undertaken, alongside a strength and conditioning programme that is designed to meet individual needs.
QE boasts impressive swimming facilities within the Genesis Aquatic Centre, including three endless pools, each fitted with treadmills, and a four-lane 25 metre training pool, which supports a full Colorado competition-timing system with touch pads and fixed screen. Additionally, the Centre also includes a jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and ice baths, used as part of the rehabilitation programme for all athletes, across all QE sports. The facilities are used, and are suitable for, nursery and reception right through to Year 13 students.
Curriculum Swimming
The activity programme for swimming has been separated into swimming development groups and swimming squad training. The focus for swimming development at QE is very much on enjoyment and providing a firm foundation in the basic swimming skills and techniques.
The school offers opportunities to be involved in swimming at both lunchtime and after-school activities and our facilities are used, and are suitable for, nursery and reception right through to Year 13 students.
Competitive Swimming
Students at Queen Ethelburga’s compete in matches arranged against local schools, at both junior and senior level. Students compete at regional level within English Schools Swimming Association (ESSA) and in both regional and national level school competitions within the ISA.
Swimming squad training is aimed at enabling QE students to compete at the highest possible level. Some students within swimming squad are also engaged on a Performance Sports Programme (PSP) where individual learning is undertaken, alongside a strength and conditioning programme that is designed to meet individual needs.
Coaching Expertise
Coaching is provided by Lead Swimming Coach, Mr Ken Smith, who is an Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) Level 4 Coach, with almost 40 years in both teaching, coaching and tutoring (coach education). Mr Smith was formerly the Head Coach of Horwich Amateur Swimming Club, the main feeder programme into the competitive Bolton Metro Swimming Squad (BMSS).
Mr Smith was a Level 4 Squad Coach with BMSS, a centre of excellence producing two Olympians who represented Team GB at the Sydney Olympic Games, in 2000. He has also worked on the World Class (Regional) Programme of Swimming Camps in the South of England, where he worked with athletes who went on to swim in the 2012 Olympic Games, in London.
Mr Smith is assisted by Miss Hollie Smith, who is an ASA Level 2 swimming teacher and coach and has also undertaken the adult and child certification programme, again at Level 2. As a former swimmer, who competed for Horwich, BMSS and Harrogate ASC, Miss Smith is well placed to pass on the necessary knowledge and skills to QE swimmers across the school.
Partnerships
QE has close links with county and regional swimming associations and has hosted Regional Swimming Camps for Yorkshire.
Facilities
QE boasts impressive swimming facilities within the Genesis Aquatic Centre, including three endless pools, each fitted with treadmills, and a four-lane, 25-metre training pool, which supports a full Colorado competition-timing system with touch pads and fixed screen. Additionally, the Centre also includes a jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and ice baths, used as part of the rehabilitation programme for all athletes, across all QE sports.
Fully-qualified lifeguards are on-duty during the pool's opening times.
We are delighted to learn that our very own Mr Metcalf has been recognised as the ABL Northern Coach of the Year!
Thank you to Stray FM for the coverage on our exciting news!
'The First Team at Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate are through to the final of a national competition after beating Shrewsbury School 3-1 in the ISFA semi-final.'
Some of you may know that our QE football team are through to the Boodles ISFA Cup Final 2020! We are incredibly proud of all involved and wish them the best of luck for the final on Monday 9th March, 7pm KO at MK Dons Stadium.
QE's 1st XI Footballers Through to Boodles ISFA Cup Final!
After an amazing 3-1 win today, Team QE are through to the Boodles ISFA Cup Final 2020!
We are so proud of the team and our coaches - well done all!
Premiership Rugby Player Visits QE
Premiership rugby player, Tom Hardwick, came in to school today to give a masterclass about kicking in rugby. Tom worked with our fly-halves, in his break from training with Leicester Tigers, giving his time freely to students from our teams. Tom plays fly-half for Leicester Tigers and has played for England U20s including in the final of the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in France.
On 11 January QE's Netballers played against Sherborne Netball Club. Out of 5 teams, 4 teams won their matches!
QE 1st XI Claim 3-1 Victory against Sunderland College
Last Wednesday QE's 1st XI footballers claimed a 3-1 victory away at Sunderland College in their first game of the new year in the English Colleges FA cup!
Goals scored by Will. M, Oliver. S and Harry. C.
Congratulations to Yorkshire Cross Country Champions Finnian H (U17B) and Josh D (U20 men)
Last Wednesday QE's 1st XI footballers claimed a 3-1 victory away at Sunderland College in their first game of the new year in the English Colleges FA cup!
QE vs Leeds United Academy
In September QE’s 1st XI football team took on Leeds United Academy which saw a fantastic performance against the ever impressive professional youth team.
After a gruelling and fast paced 90 minutes the whistle was blown and the match was over.
The students learned a great deal from this experience and we look forward to providing more opportunities for them to enhance their development in the future.
Some thoughts from our TEAM QE alumni...
My greatest highlight at QE has been participating in the Sport Elite Programme for hockey. Since beginning the program in Year 10, I quickly progressed from playing 3rd team hockey at Leeds Hockey Club to playing in the 1st team. Now post-QE, I have continued to play a high level of hockey at the University of Nottingham.
The hockey coaches went out of their way to introduce us to new skills and to clarify tactics and formations. Unlike other schools and sports clubs, QE’s coaching staff was supportive of both my sporting and academic pursuits, valuing not only the player but the individual.
Particularly during my final year, I really appreciated the efforts both the academic and coaching staff went to in order to help me balance my time effectively. Moreover, the support I had available to me, not only with regards to my rugby development and academics but also in terms of pastoral care, made sure that my two years at QE were the very best that they could have possibly been.
My two years at QE were two of the best years of my school career. I got the opportunity to have a taste of what it was like to train as a full-time athlete, while completing my A-levels in one of the best schools in the area.
I developed my hockey skills massively with the help of two fantastic coaches. Not only were they coaches, but they were also friends who supported you on and off the pitch.
QE helped me get to my chosen university and helped me push my hockey to a higher level.
The QE experience is not something you find easily. It has a perfect balance of high standard academics and high standard sport which is exactly what I was looking for after being released by York City Football Club. Deciding to go to QE was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I would not be where I am today if it was not for everyone at QE.
The standard of coaching is in a different class. Mr Bolland and Mr Newey always pushed us to be the best players we could, whilst also always believing in us, giving us support when needed, and having a great time along the way too.
QE has made it possible for me to realise my potential and I will forever be thankful for the place.
Moving to QE really helped me push on towards my goal of playing full time professional rugby. Mr Rawlinson and the rest of the coaching staff, along with the first-class facilities, enabled the SEP programme to work at a very high level, pushing our performance up week by week.