Mission Statement

Extra Curricular > Sport > Mission Statement

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Sport is an integral part of the educational experience at Tonbridge. The breadth, depth and quality of our provision are essential ingredients in providing an environment in which boys can both improve and enjoy their sport, while also building an understanding of the link between constructive exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Boys of all ability are encouraged to play meaningful and competitive sport, at either House, School or representative level.

We identify four key benefits of sport in education:

Tonbridge is well known for excelling in major sports and has produced a number of county and international sportsmen over the years. However, we are as proud of the depth of our provision as we are of the high quality of our top sportsmen, and we aim to cater as professionally for the less able sportsman as we do for the A team player. Similarly, we recognise that different boys have different strengths and interests, and we try to offer as wide a choice of sports as possible in the hope that each boy will find something to develop or trigger his enthusiasm.

Sport at Tonbridge operates on a 'Club' system, whereby every boy commits himself to one sporting 'club' for each term (though this does not preclude playing other sports in spare time and at House level). All boys who opt to play a particular sport have access to good facilities and the opportunity to benefit from coaching. Every team group has its own dedicated coach and the opportunity to participate in competitive sport, whatever their ability. We run teams at depth in all age groups (eg. there are as many as 22 rugby teams, with seven at under 14 level), and also run competitive House competitions in most sports (including weekly 'House Leagues' where A team players are ineligible). We are blessed with outstanding outdoor sporting facilities, with a fully committed grounds staff working to ensure the highest standards are maintained at all levels, not just on the 'showpiece' pitches. Boys are expected to be available on Saturdays as part of their normal school commitment.

We recognise and welcome competition within sport. Competition encourages team awareness and, when guided appropriately, teaches the importance of winning without arrogance and losing with good grace. All sports offer competitive fixtures at both school and house level, and much emphasis is placed on the way boys conduct themselves on and off the pitch. It is important that all those who run and/or support Tonbridge Sport and all boys who play it are aware of the need for the highest standards of sportsmanship at all levels. To this end the school publishes a 'Code of Conduct' as part of the School Memoranda, and all boys are expected to adhere to this.

Brief details of clubs are set out below:

Athletics (Summer Term)

The Athletics Club is a thriving, successful and predominantly boy-run club that welcomes members of all abilities. We make full use of our excellent facilities, including a wonderful tartan track, and coaching is offered in all traditional track and field events.

Basketball (Lent Term)

Basketball is offered to boys of all ages, ability and experience. Coaching is provided and there are regular competitive fixtures.

Cricket (Summer Term)

Tonbridge is closely associated with cricketing excellence, and boasts one of the finest cricket grounds (The Head) in the country. The club is open to all years in the school, and with eight pitches all boys can expect to play on top quality wickets. There are 17 teams with regular fixtures, as well as a full house programme.

Climbing (Summer Term)

The Climbing Club makes full use of the school's climbing wall and local sandstone outcrops to maintain an active and exciting climbing programme. Expert coaching is available and boys of all abilities and experience are welcome to join.

Cross Country (Lent Term)

The Cross Country Club has been extremely successful in recent years, and runs teams at Senior, U16 and U15 level. The club competes in regional and national races, including relay competitions. The club is open to all years.

Fencing (Michaelmas and Lent Terms)

Fencing is available to all year groups, and professional coaching takes place in all games sessions. Beginners are welcome to join and receive coaching in the use of the foil, and all equipment will be provided. The more experienced will have a chance to fence using the sabre and epee, and will compete in several school matches and competitions over the course of the term.

Golf (Michaelmas and Summer Terms)

Tonbridge is a very successful golf school and we compete in all regional and national schools competitions. Numbers are limited for logistical reasons, so boys normally have to have a handicap of 12 or below to be accepted in the Summer Term (the major competitive term), and 18 or below for the Michaelmas Term.

Hockey (Lent Term)

Many boys join the school having never played hockey, but top quality coaching is available for all ages . The club runs 19 teams and makes full use of our two Astroturf pitches, so that all A and B team matches (and many below this level) are played on this surface. A new water-based Astroturf pitch is planned for 2004.

Rackets (Michaelmas and Lent Terms)

Tonbridge is one of the leading Rackets schools in the country, competing successfully in the annual National Championships at Queen's Club, London. There are regular fixtures throughout both terms, and a full time professional ensures the highest standard of coaching is available to all boys. The club is unique in the school in that boys play in addition to their other sports (ie. a rugby player can also play rackets for the school in the Michaelmas Term).

Rugby (Michaelmas Term)

There is a strong rugby tradition at Tonbridge, and the school plays on one of the strongest circuits in the country. The Rugby Club is open to all years in the school, and we field as many as 22 teams (six at senior level, four at U16, five at U15 and seven at U14). House Matches and House Leagues are played at senior and junior level.

Sailing (Michaelmas and Summer Terms)

Tonbridge are the current National Schools Sailing champions (420s), and the club sails from Bough Beech reservoir (about 10 minutes by minibus from the school). Numbers are limited and some sailing experience is required. We compete regularly in fixtures against other schools and at regional and national regattas (and also regularly for the naval section of the CCF).

Shooting (All Terms)

Tonbridge has its own small bore shooting range, and competes in most regional and national schools competition. The club is open to boys in the second year and above, and instruction is available.

Soccer (Michaelmas and Lent Terms)

The Soccer Club is open to the top three years groups in the Michaelmas Term, and to the sixth form only during the Lent Term. Both terms offer regular competitive fixtures with other schools.

Squash (Lent Term)

The school has four squash courts, and the club is open to all years. Ladder matches take place midweek, and professional coaching is available at each games session. Matches against other schools take place most Saturdays, with teams at Senior, U16, U15 and U14 level.

Swimming (all terms)

The school's 25 metre pool is in regular use in all three terms. Competitive matches take place mostly in the Summer Term, but matches also take place in the Lent Term. As well as stroke improvement coaching, there is training and fixtures in water polo, and the opportunity to work towards life-saving qualifications. A Scuba-Diving Club also operates on a weekly basis, and there are annual diving trips in the holidays.

Tennis (Summer Term)

The Tennis Club offers professional coaching for all age groups, and fields teams at all age groups, entering all county and national competitions. The two Astroturf pitches offer 21 good quality courts, and internal competitions are held at both individual and house level.