What are the major (compulsory) sports at Wellington College UK

[HockeyDad]

Dear Parents (of Wellingtonian kids in the UK),

Trying to find out what are the compulsory major sports at Wellington College but it doesn't seem to feature on the school's website. The only unofficial resource I found here and thereby my starting hypothesis is this:

Michaelmas: rugby
Lent: free choice
Summer: cricket or athletics

Note that the above link is probably at least several decades old, at least the author refers to "there are dances with girls schools" as an exciting event. Probably not the case anymore!!

Any insight would be highly appreciated.

Thanks,

Wellington College went fully co-Ed in 2005 so this the document you have linked to is EXTREMELY out of date.

Looking at your user name I am guessing you are looking for the best U.K. boarding school for boys field hockey. Repton has a reputation for most successes on the hockey pitch.

Thanks Zodlebud, that's very useful. What I was really after is what the compulsory sports at Wellington are. Any ideas?

Boy or girl?

Candford for hockey.

Canford!

There aren't any compulsory sports

They just have to choose one from a list.
The main ones are hockey for michaelmas, netball for lent and tennis for summer

But LOADS of options, such as basketball, swimming, badminton, fencing, lacrosse, rugby, horse riding etc. SO SO many options!!

They're really good about helping them to attend/achieve outside sports too.

Many thanks AlmostSummer21!

That's fantastic, so Wellington is a bit like Winchester and Westminster in a way that pupils must do some sports, but none are compulsory. No worries, I am fully aware that Wellington is known for its sports pedigree, I mean from the perspective of choice

In addition to team sports, my son is also a passionate gymnast, but I didn't see 'gymnastics' listed as a sport on either school's website which seems unlikely. Do you know if they have some basic facilities (spring floor, horizontal bar, etc) and coaches for gymnastics?

He's also been riding for 6 years now, but I presume equestrian and polo (maybe sailing at WinCol) will probably be oversubscribed at Wellington. How do they short list riders (sailors at WinCol), is it based on experience?

They do have a few good gymnasts. I'll ask the sleeping one what the school has when it rises from it's pit (day pupil so a long week with the daily commute - but like most teenagers I guess Sunday morning are for sleeping!!). I'd be surprised if it wasn't well equipped, it still (several years in) surprises me with the excellent provision for pretty much everything!!

Horse riding, you can take your own horse & stable it there. But lessons are held at the Wellington Riding School a few minutes away. It wasn't a problem to sign up (& it's the riding school we used anyway pre WC).

I'm not sure about polo as DC not interested, but honestly they are so supportive of the children that even if they don't have a team (which would surprise me) they would facilitate your DS going where he does now (if a realistic distance, or finding a local team etc).

They're really friendly & helpful if you want to call them.

I know it's hopefully not going to be an issue going forward, but they've been incredible throughout Covid. Sensible on site testing, isolation rules, etc etc and brilliant online teaching. Couldn't fault them.

Thanks AlmostSummer2, great to hear about stabling and generous overall support. Please do let me know about gymnastics facilities when your DC is awake:) Basics for my DC would be a horizontal bar (easily spotted even by non-gymnasts from the outside) spring floor and trampoline (the latter two are not easily spotted, unless one's a gymnast)

She used to do gymnastics, but pre Wellington. She hasn't seen much gymnastics equipment, but they have vast storage space & endless sports rooms etc. So can't say for certain

Polo is an option, but not one she knows much about.

Sorry not to be able to be more help, but honestly, just call them, they're lovely & helpful.

Welly college polo team is one of the best UK school teams - depending on their current expertise/experience, your DC could do school polo lessons or play on a team, IME