Sporting Blundell's
Director of Sport: Mr NJ Ridgway (njr@blundells.org)
The most important objective of any school sporting programme is to cover
the interests and needs of all boys and girls, whilst promoting excellence.
Fortunately, Blundell's is well endowed with the facilities and staff
needed to fulfil this objective. The
Physical Education and Games activities are designed to complement one
another and the health and team aspects are highlighted.
All pupils receive
specialized coaching and there is a comprehensive fixture list so that
almost everyone plays in matches on Saturday afternoons against opponents
of the appropriate standard to ensure a close match. Although Blundellians
are well known for their competitiveness and determination, we do not
advocate a 'win at all costs' approach to sport.
The Oxford Dictionary definition of 'sport' is: "an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment".
Blundell's has long had a reputation for sporting prowess and prides itself on the spirit in which it plays its sport. It is competitive and open, with the will to win sportingly or to lose graciously. During the last ten years over a hundred Blundellians, boys and girls, have competed at County level or above. Recent highlights have been two Rosslyn Park Sevens finals, two England U19 Rugby Players, a National Young Cricketer of the Year, a River Axe canoeing champion, the Devon Schools' Fly Fishing Cup and an International girl Fencer. A new floodlit Astroturf pitch, used mainly for hockey and tennis, was opened in 1996, to add to an already impressive range of facilities.
Old Blundellians are encouraged to continue games through University and beyond and return to the School for a variety of fixtures. Recently, Old Blundellians have played international cricket, rugby, hockey and squash. Coaching standards are high, with cricket, rugby and hockey (girls) being especially well endowed with ex-County and International players. Blundell's philosophy of Sport for Life encourages all, however limited their ability, to fulfil their potential.
The table below lists the various sports on offer at Blundell's.
| Sports | |
| Major | Minor |
| Athletics Cricket Football Hockey Netball Rugby Swimming Tennis |
Badminton Basketball Cross-country Fencing Fives Golf Gymnastics Hockey (Indoors) Rounders Rugby Sevens Squash |