The Secret To Sporting Success
The games department at Stonyhurst College plays an important role in the formation of character for every pupil. Simon Charles, director of sport and Emma Kay, head of girls’ games tell us what makes the department such a success
Q. What is the role of the games department at Stonyhurst?
The games curriculum has long been an integral part of a Stonyhurst education. It is underpinned by the spirit of Jesuit education, forming young men and women in a way that encourages the development of all their talents. However, it is about much more than solely the performance on the pitch. Full involvement in the games programme develops self-esteem, leadership, time management skills, resilience and commitment. It promotes fitness and general wellbeing, as well as building friendships, enriching knowledge and tapping into unknown potential.
We believe the opportunity for pupils to achieve these personal and social developments through participation in team games is crucial. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that participation in sporting activities plays a crucial role in character formation and pupils’ wellbeing and even has an extremely positive influence on general educational success.
Therefore, all students participate in structured game sessions four times per week as part of the programme to help them achieve their full potential personally, physically and socially.
We provide high quality coaching across multiple sports, with our coaches focusing on effort, commitment and always striving for improvement. We encourage every individual, regardless of their aptitude for each sport, to participate wholeheartedly and demonstrate the determination to reach the best of their own ability, whatever that level may be.
Q. What is the most rewarding thing about working in the games department?
Watching our students thrive in team activities, striving towards long-term group goals, collectively achieving and overcoming setbacks and adversity along the way is very rewarding. It’s a fantastic feeling when you see a team or individual’s hard work and dedication enable them to fulfil, or even sometimes surpass, their potential. The success of many Stonyhurst teams is crucially not down to the individuals themselves, but far more to their collective effort and spirit.
At the other end of the scale, there are students who would retreat to their comfort zone at the first sign of any physical challenge. Commitment, perseverance and resilience come much harder to these individuals, but they are undoubtedly essential personal qualities. We work extremely hard to bring out these attributes in every single student, no matter what their sporting ability, and there is great satisfaction in watching those who lacked confidence and enthusiasm grow in self-esteem and eagerness through coaching.
Q. What is the intent and purpose behind the games department at Stonyhurst?
We aim to develop pupils into individuals with well-rounded values including dedication, self-discipline, honesty, mutual respect, and resilience while always striving to achieve their full potential in practice and performance at all times. We want students to be able to see beyond themselves and recognise the value of their contributions on others.
Q. What is the key to delivering a strong games programme?
It’s a combination of having the right staff in place so that every sport we offer can be coached to a high standard, excellent sports facilities and the ability to motivate and inspire students to always strive and fulfil their potential.
Offering a large range of sports is crucial. From rugby, hockey, cricket and netball to swimming, golf, football, cross-country, athletics, tennis and dance (to name just a few), our students have the opportunity to try lots of things, helping them to find where their passion and talent lies. We can work closely with each student to grow their talents and, along with it, the many important life skills that sports help to develop.
Q. When a student finishes their time at Stonyhurst, what does success look like for the games department?
There are two categories in answer to this question. One is the sports scholar, the individual who simply has developed a love of playing sport. They may well go on and play at county or even country level, or they may play at university, or join a local club and play at a social level – we would consider all these outcomes as equally successful.
The other category of success is the well-rounded individual who may never have excelled at a particular sport, but through their involvement in the games programme carries the values that they learnt forward in life and is a better person as a result. We do strongly believe better people make better players and vice versa.
We like to think that games plays a significant role in helping to instil the all-important “Quant je puis” Stonyhurst value into every student, and that is a huge success in its own right.
Stonyhurst College
Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 9PZ
01254 826345
www.stonyhurst.ac.uk
