Sports
Sports Policy
Most boys play the major sport of the term. These sports are rugby, rowing, hockey, and cricket. There are a large number of teams, played at all ages, and the fixture list in each of these sports is strong.
We expect boys to commit to their chosen sport and only in rare circumstances can they change sport mid-term.
MICHAELMAS TERM:
Shells: Rugby is the major sport and is played by all Shells.
Removes and Fifths: The majority of Removes and Fifths play rugby, although some opt for Alternative Sports (a selection of alternative sports such as golf, soccer, swimming etc). Those unable to play rugby because of long-term injury do Alternative Sports.
Sixth Form: The majority of boys in the Sixth Form play rugby, though they can play other games full time if they wish to.
LENT TERM:
Shells: The major sports are rowing (wet bobs) and hockey (dry bobs) All Shells are expected to commit to either rowing for two terms or playing hockey in the Lent term and cricket in the summer.
Removes: In the Remove year hockey remains the major sport and boys may only choose to play soccer if they were a dry bob the previous year and did not play in Midgets 1st, 2nd or 3rd XI. The number of places is limited. Those giving up rowing will play hockey.
Fifth Form: In the Fifth form boys may select rowing, hockey or soccer. A few may be able to choose other sports full time.
Sixth Form: The majority of boys row or play hockey or soccer, though they may choose to play other sports full time.
SUMMER TERM:
Shells: Wet bob Shells continue to row while Dry bob Shells play cricket. The latter have an opportunity to play other sports including tennis, golf and athletics on certain days. A very limited number may be able to play full time tennis.
Removes and Fifths: In the Remove and Fifth year, while cricket remains the major Dry bob sport, a boy can opt for tennis or athletics in consultation with his Tutor and other relevant dons.
Sixth Form: Most boys choose to row, play cricket or tennis or do athletics, while a few opt for other sports.
Every term Thursday is designated “Minor Games Day” for all barring Bigside so that boys can participate in other sporting activities if they so desire. Most minor sports fixtures take place on Thursdays.
Boys playing representative sport whilst at Radley
- Boys at Radley have organised sport on 4 or 5 days per week, including matches on all Saturdays and some Tuesdays/Thursdays. There are cricket matches, rugby tournaments, hockey matches and regattas on some Sundays. The boys also have to keep up to the mark with their other commitments: academic, cultural, pastoral, in a busy school week.
- In addition, each year some boys are selected for county, regional and international teams and, in light of the above commitments, fitting in squad sessions with representative sides requires careful planning, to which end we follow the guidelines below:
- A boy should attend the outside sessions no more than once every two weeks; ideally they should be on a Sunday so as to minimise disruption to school commitments. An exception to this would be if he has a light school sporting commitment in a term and therefore would be better able to attend representative sessions; for example he may be playing hockey in the Michaelmas term.
- Because of the physical demands of intensive sport (particularly marked, for example, in rugby and rowing) the situation must be discussed in advance with the don i/c the sport concerned. Any discussion must involve consideration of demands that will be present should a boy make it to the highest level. The Director of Fitness and Sport will be able to help and advise on all aspects of conditioning required for playing sport at an advanced level.