End of Term Rugby Updates

Rugby representative rewards for hard workSadly for the staff, students and supporters, the 2020-21 rugby season never really started or ended!All the players and staff worked tirelessly throughout the year from Year 7 to the First XV but despite the best efforts of England Rugby, no match play took place. The boys worked hard on an innovative diet of everything from Auzzie Rules to yoga and for those that remain at school, that will all bear fruit long term.This season was obviously especially hard for the leavers, many of which had played together at club or Stamford Junior School since the age of 4 and their previous track record hinted an a supern finale to their school careers.Despite the lack of school rugby the school can still be proud of the achievements of its leavers following an outstanding season in 2019 and a great tour of Australia and New Zealand.On the representative front, plenty of success to be proud of. Well done to George Coen who played for Irish Exiles U18s. Well done to Matty Arden, Will Baker and Rory Ward (1^st XV Skipper) who were part of the Northampton Saints U18 Academy programme and well done to Cormac Calnan, Jack Taylor, Anthony Pedlar, Jack Vernum, Phil Tandoh and Seb Smith who were part of the Leicester Tigers U18 Academy Squad. Hats off to Seb, Phil, Matty and Cormac who were pulled into the England 18s training squad.  We wish the best of luck to Matty who has signed to go professional with Saints, Seb has signed with Tigers and Phil has signed with Top 14 giants Stade Francai and moves to Paris.Director of Rugby David Laventure was as ever full of praise for the students: “This was a constant source of heart break and frustration for all the players but more so for the seniors who were sadly denied the opportunity to pull on their school shirt just one more time. Its speaks volumes about their character about how they attacked the opportunities and whether off to play professionally, abroad or at club/university we wish them all well and hope rugby remains part of their lives. A huge well done to Seb, Phil and Matty whose progress we will watch with real interest. Roll on 2021!”