Sport during lockdown

Eve Singfield, Director of Sports, reflects on a remote but busy term in sport:

Whilst we have had to revert to our on-line games programme this term, it has been really encouraging to see pupils and staff so engaged with their usual Spring Term sports options. Fitness has played a huge part in the offering, with regular HIIT, circuit training, Zumba, and Pilates sessions taking place.

Sports have worked hard to encourage participation in the ‘Teddies To Tokyo’ challenge. Over 260 pupils and staff have been regularly adding to the totals of seven of our sports to reach Tokyo. The Boat Club were 82km short of the Olympic Stadium last Sunday night and managed to reach the destination during their Monday morning ergo session! The Hockey Club finished a strong second place. We are not stranded in Tokyo though; the cumulative distance of 22,078km covered by Team Teddies ensures we’ve covered enough kilometres to make it back to OX2. Well done to everyone who has embraced the challenge and been involved!

Pupils have also had the privilege of listening to a number of inspiring sporting speakers over the past few weeks. Olympians Alex Gregory, Debbie Flood, Natasha Townsend and Alex Partridge have spoken about the challenges and sacrifice that go on behind the medal winning smiles, and Ashes winning England cricket captain Charlotte Edwards spoke about leading her country and touring India at aged 16.

Whilst sport at school is very much part of what we do, university sport can be different. Luke Hawker spoke to pupils about how to get involved with sport at university and the opportunities that can be found. Pupils on the calls asked great questions and we are very grateful to all of our speakers for giving up their time.

Those who follow our @teddiessport Instagram pages will have seen the regular ‘Living Lockdown with….’ features. Our Sports Prefects Millie Holme and Jack Barrett have worked hard to publish these updates throughout lockdown. Well done to them for this initiative and also for being outstanding ambassadors for sport in the School.

We look forward to sport in person as pupils return this term.