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

Girls Hockey Highlights from Michaelmas 2025

By Eleanor Lewis • December 5, 2025
This half term has been an exceptional one for Girls’ Hockey at Norwich School, with teams across every age group demonstrating determination, teamwork and impressive progress on the pitch. Juniors (U12 & U13) The U12s have risen brilliantly to every challenge, competing in a series of highly competitive fixtures. Their confidence, technical skill and match understanding have grown week by week. A standout achievement was qualifying for the Regional Finals in Stamford—a fantastic reward for their hard work and enthusiasm.  Our U13 squads have also enjoyed a superb half term: The U13A team produced several excellent performances, including a commanding 6–0 win over Beeston and qualification for the East Regional Finals in Ipswich. The U13B side impressed with an outstanding 11–0 victory against Beeston and a strong 3–0 win over Norwich High School for Girls. Inters (U14 & U15) The Inter teams have shown steady development this half term, competing in a number of close, exciting fixtures. The U14A team secured notable wins over Framlingham College and Ipswich School, while the U14B squad celebrated a convincing victory against Felsted and a well-earned draw with Gresham’s. The U15s have made significant progress, recording strong wins against Felsted and Woodbridge, alongside a determined draw against Gresham’s. Seniors (1XI, 2XI, 3XI) The Senior teams have also enjoyed a highly successful half term. The 3rd XI showed impressive grit and resilience, highlighted by an excellent 5-1 win against Felsted. The 2nd XI have been superb, losing only one match so far, with a standout 1-0 victory over Gresham’s. The 1st XI continue to build week after week, delivering a series of strong performances including a 6–0 win over Felsted, 7-0 against Langley School, and a confident 2-0 win over Woodbridge. With such strong performances across all age groups this half term, the future of Girls’ Hockey at Norwich School looks incredibly bright. We look forward to carrying this momentum into the next stage of the season.

National School Kayak Championships Winners

By Eleanor Lewis • November 16, 2025
Jasmine Sargeant and Dominic Walker won the under 19 National Schools K2 Kayak Sprint Trophy, Marathon Trophy in the experience categories. They also scooped the mixed trophy for good measure retaining all three national Tites for a second year in a row. Hugo Dawe and Hayden Nundy won the Novice 500m kayak sprint race. The Norwich School team was completed by a gutsy contribution from Finn Elson and Edward Tickner racing paddlers four years older than them. On a long and challenging day of competition there were multiple events. A 500m sprint heat and final and a mass start 200m sprint elimination competition with the slowest three crew knocked out each round until just a final three were left racing for the 200m title, and in the afternoon a 10k marathon for the Elite Class and 7k for the Novice Class. Around eighty competitors from Schools all over the country took part. Norwich School kayaking continues to make an impressive impact at a National level.

Shining a Spotlight on Sailing

By Eleanor Lewis • November 5, 2025
To celebrate the diverse sporting opportunities on offer at the school, we decided to take a closer look at our sailing team by asking Ruth Owen, our sailing coach, some questions after a busy training session! How many pupils are in the sailing team? We currently have 16 in the Senior Squad. What is the race you are currently training for? Our next event is the UEA Unicorn - a Team Racing event taking place at Wroxham Broad in two weeks time. We will be taking two teams, with 6 pupils in each. We attend a number of racing events throughout the year. Is it cold on the water this time of year? About 12 degrees with the wind chill yesterday - everyone has to wear a wetsuit at this time of year! What were you up to in training yesterday? We mixed pairs up a lot yesterday to try and select the squad for our event. Were you practicing specific skills? Starts! Pre-start in team racing lasts for 3 minutes, and each race is only about 8 minutes long. It's short, sharp and highly competitive. Each team will do about 8 - 10 races, (against 8-10 different teams) each day of the event. Then more broadly, what year groups can join the sailing club? We have both Senior and Intermediate options for sailing at school. Seniors sail Tuesday afternoons in games throughout the year, Intermediates sail Thursday afternoon in games during Michaelmas and Trinity Term. Senior sailing is currently restricted to race training, but we will take complete beginners in the Intermediate squad. How often do you meet? Once a week. Where do you meet? We sail at Norfolk Broads Yacht Club.
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