Norwich School has a long and proud tradition of playing rugby at all levels. Rugby is a dedicated timetabled sport for all junior pupils (Year 7 and Year 8) and becomes optional moving higher up the school. Touch rugby is also an option at all ages. In the Lent Term we shift to an optional Rugby 7’s programme for Year 9 and above. We have dedicated pitches at the Lower Close and our Redmayne Playing Fields on the Norwich Walsham Road. We also have 2 performance gymnasiums.

 

The fixtures circuit varies year on year but in the 2024 season, there are currently 163 Senior School rugby fixtures scheduled. Our teams play regular fixtures against local schools including Gresham’s School, Beeston Hall School, Glebe House Prep School, Town Close Prep School and Wymondham College. In addition, we have a busy schedule of wider regional and national fixtures against opponents including The Leys, The Perse, Royal Hospital School, St Joseph’s School, Ipswich School, Finborough School, Framlingham College, Felsted School, Gravesend Grammar School and Samual Whitbread Academy.

 

During the 2023/24 rugby season players went on tour to Denstone College, the Merchiston Rugby Festival in Edinburgh and the Rosslyn Park 7’s Tournament. Notable successes included pupils playing for local and national clubs including Norwich Rugby Club, North Walsham Rugby Club and the Leicester Tigers Training Academy. Although we don’t currently play girls rugby, Year 13 pupil, Ava deCooper Wride was also selected to represent Saracens U18 Rugby.

Sports News

Rowing Report from the Start of 2025

By Eleanor Lewis • February 13, 2025
The Senior Boys and Girls raced at Quintin Head, on the Tideway, with a solid result of 13th out of 33 crews from the boys 1st VIII. This was a good practice for both crews and coxes ahead of the Schools Head in March. With Hampton Head cancelled due to flooding, 55 rowers from j14 to J18 joined in a Club Time Trial on 1st February. With J14 Octos, J15 Girls and Boys 8s and 4s, Senior Girls 8+ and 2x and Senior Boys 2-, 4s and 8+ all competing with a downstream and upstream timed piece. It was great to make the most of our river, while other locations were flooded and to have all the Boat Club training together. Bedford Head saw 60 rowers racing in 18 different crew combinations, with wins for the J15 Boys 4+ and the J15 Girls 4+ and 8+.  The half term will be rounded off by Daniel White and Nicholas Conway competing at the February Long Distance GB U19 Trials in Boston. Good luck to both rowers.

Sevens Successes - Starting the Year Strong

By Eleanor Lewis • February 12, 2025
The focus this term shifted from 15-a-side to 7s, with senior players preparing for upcoming 7s festivals and the Rosslyn Park 7s in March. The U18s competed in the Saints 7s festival on February 4th, topping their group with a 29-7 win over Culford School and a 10-5 win over Northampton School for Boys 2nds. They were then drawn against Northampton School for Boys 1sts in the quarterfinals but lost to the stronger team. Samuel Byrne and Noah Rastrick, who scored 4 tries on his 7s debut, were standout players. The U18s will next compete at Oakham School on 2 March. The U16s played at Gresham’s School on 9 February, winning two of four group-stage games, with victories over Framlingham College (19-0) and Langley School (24-15). After two losses, they progressed to the Plate Semi-final, beating Langley 39-10. Norwich School then won the Plate final 19-14 against Uppingham School. Levite Oyelakin was the standout player. The U14s also participated in their first festival at Gresham’s School, winning four out of six games, including a standout win against Oundle School. However, they lost to Oakham School in the Plate Final. Ben Lowe, Lucas Berney, and Isaac Mak were the standout performers.

Keeping Track of Cross Country from the Start of 2025

By Eleanor Lewis • February 12, 2025
In January, six of our younger runners competed in the Norfolk Schools’ Cross Country Championships at Wymondham College, going up against the county’s top athletes. The flat, fast course provided perfect conditions, with the goal of finishing in the top 12 to qualify for the Norfolk team. Three of our athletes achieved this. Emi Muntingh dominated her race from start to finish, winning impressively and securing the title of Norfolk Champion in her age group. The Minor Boys’ race was more tactical, with the lead changing several times. With 400m to go, Samuel Trickey made his move, ultimately winning comfortably. In the Junior Girls’ race, Niamh McAuley ran strongly to finish 5th, earning a spot in the Norfolk team. Nona Griffiths and Sophie Ruddy were just outside the qualifying places but also put in great performances. In a highly competitive Junior Boys’ race, Herbie Andrews finished in the top half, but not high enough to qualify. Congratulations to all who participated, and best of luck to those representing Norfolk in two weeks.  At the EAL fixtures, held at Mousehold and Gresham’s, Emi and Samuel continued their strong performances in the Junior category, both finishing 2nd. In the Senior Boys’ race, our team claimed six of the top 10 spots, with Thomas Chester finishing 3rd. In the Senior Girls’ race at Gresham’s, Minnie Andrews triumphed, coming 1st, while Becky Brown placed 7th. In the Senior Boys, Sam Colman finished 6th, with strong support from Arthur Dannatt and Jacob Stevenson.
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