Sports A-Z
Learn more about the different sports Millfield offers:
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Chess
- Clay Shooting
- Cricket
- Cross Country
- Dance
- Equestrian
- Fencing
- Football
- Golf
- Hockey
- Karate
- Modern Pentathlon
- Netball
- Outdoor Adventure
- Rugby
- Ski Racing
- Squash
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Trampolining
- Triathlon and Road Cycling
Athletics
Athletics is available to all students across the academic year. The Millfield Activity Programme (MAP) allows students to experience the sport and try all of the event areas on the programme. Older students, or those competing at a more advanced level, can select athletics as a full-time option. Younger students can participate in athletics alongside the game of the term in lunchtime sessions with the coaching team. Full-time athletes can compete in both indoor and outdoor competitions in spring and summer terms while all students can choose athletics in the summer term and represent the school in competitions both home and away.
During the Summer of 2020, Millfield’s Athletics Track benefited from significant investment in a state-of-the-art refurbishment that will allow the School to host higher level national competitions at its world-class facility in Street, Somerset. The upgraded track now includes a new world-class eight lane sprint straight, a six lane 400m track, an updated long jump pit and state-of-the-art pole vault area with double entry mat.
Athletics Philosophy
Coaches and students work together to develop a philosophy and set of guiding principles which athletics operates by:
- Provide a warm and friendly environment where friendships and teamwork can flourish
- Provide a supportive and challenging environment where students can demonstrate their commitment and passion for sport, becoming role models for younger students
- Support all athletes to be independent and take ownership of their training and performance
- All students are supported in developing a growth mind-set and an understanding that all athletes can improve
- Training programmes will be tailored with a outlook to develop long-term success as a priority over short-term results
- All athletes will be coached to create a diverse training background across multiple events
- Provide appropriate training programmes and coaching for all levels, from beginner to aspiring international performers
- Provide appropriate competition opportunities and support for all students from beginner to those competing at international level
- Where appropriate, provide opportunities for athletes to utilise support services such as strength and conditioning, emotional intelligence and lifestyle support
- Movement quality is a priority over volume of training
Athletics Specialists
Our athletics specialists train year round between five and six days per week, they are coached in the following areas:
- Event technical requirements
- Running mechanics sessions
- Running conditioning relevant for the event area
- Strength and conditioning
One to one coaching
One to one coaching is available to those athletes who reach English Schools’ entry or national standards. Depending on the students performance level the following may be available if required:
Sixth Form
- One to one sessions in personal study sessions to work on technical skills
- One to one strength and conditioning sessions with the athletic development coaches
Years 9 to 11
- Support to train within the academic timetable when appropriate and required
Follow us on Twitter @MillfieldTrack
Millfield Activities Programme (MAP)
Meet Director of Athletics Alan Richardson
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Upper Sixth Millfield Athlete Lucy Fellows has been performing on the national and international stage.
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Three Millfield athletes have been selected onto highly competitive England Athletics talent programmes.
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A round up of sport activities at Millfield during February 2022.
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Three Millfield students represented Great Britain in the junior athletics team at the Manchester International in August.
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Seventeen Millfield athletes have been selected to compete in the English Schools Athletics Association (ESAA) Championships next week.
Badminton
At Millfield we cater for players of all abilities and ages. The squad provides both boys and girls teams with matches against other schools in the local area. The most able players play in the badminton squad and take part in the Somerset Schools Badminton league. The squad train three times a week under the tutelage of Badminton Coaches James Anderton and Karen Lloyd. In addition, county coach, James Elkin, comes to train the school’s top players once a week.
Recreational badminton is also available on Wednesdays and Saturdays for players just wishing to keep fit and have fun. Junior Badminton also runs in our MAP programme for those wanting to improve their game for squad consideration.
Basketball
The Basketball programme at Millfield is available to all boys at the school as a games option for Years 9, 10, 11 and Sixth Form and as a MAP (Millfield Activity Programme) for girls. All the year groups compete in regional and national schools competitions. There are also two Open Shooting sessions run each week that are available to anyone who wants to come and shoot a basketball, including recreational players who just want to turn up and play.
Basketball players have access to the normal games programme (three sessions a week) plus additional shooting and individual coaching sessions with the Head Coach, Cameron Seeley. Players also have access to additional Strength and Conditioning sessions with elite coaches. Nutrition and Sports Psychology are also available to players on a one to one basis. We have strong links to the Regional set up and have several players involved in the South West programme which is the pathway to the National team squads. Some players also compete for Taunton Tigers in the England National leagues.
Chess
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Chess is thriving at Millfield. It is available to all students as we run separate classes to cater for beginners and recreational players all the way up to those of international standard.
Millfield is the premier chess venue in the West of England, and as such Millfield students are able to play a whole host of tournaments and competitions onsite, as well as competing nationally and internationally.
Current and former students represented their countries at World and European Championships.
Students can apply for a Chess Scholarship at Millfield. Find out more here.
Clay Shooting
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Clay Shooting is flourishing at Millfield, the squad being one of the foremost in the UK. All students are welcome to join regardless of their age or ability. Currently 35 students shoot at each session, whilst around 50 students shoot at some point during the year.
Under the guidance of our six coaches, students are able to develop their skills whilst having the opportunity to compete in numerous fixtures and competitions such as the English and Scottish Schools Nationals.
Coaching is held at Mendip Shooting Ground near Wells, where in addition to the extensive sporting layout students have access to skeet, DTL and UT facilities.
Millfield Activities Programme (MAP)
Cricket
Millfield is one of the finest cricketing schools in the UK, known not only for our exceptional achievements but also for our ability to cater for students of all abilities. Seventeen teams are in active competition against schools across the region (13 boys and 4 girls). The U14 and U15As and Meyers XI fixture lists are largely made up of fixtures against counties, county academies and university teams.
The thriving girls’ programme has two squads (U15s and Senior) which includes numerous county fixtures and matches against Somerset, Wales, universities and MCC Ladies’ teams.
We have a highly qualified coaching team led by Mark Garaway (ECB Level IV Tutor/Assessor), the former England Assistant Coach and Performance Director of Irish Cricket. Dan Helesfay (ECB Level III) and Jack Moore (Somerset Age Group Coach) complete the team as Assistant Coaches.
Millfield students enjoy top class cricket facilities; there are numerous cricket squares, two indoor net areas and a combination of outdoor grass and all weather nets. The campus has several cricket pavilions including the stunning Wilson Pavilion. Our facilities incorporate cutting edge technology such as the permanent match analysis system on the Main Field, Merlyn bowling machines, Pitchvision Net System, Zepp Power Hitting sensors, SAQ Aerofloor for Fast bowlers as well as Stalker II Radar guns for registering ball velocities in our bowling, hitting and throwing programmes.
Millfield is delighted to have recently launched state of the art indoor Golf and Cricket Centres on campus, with both sites now in full operation. The new £2.6m Centres invested in world-leading technology, including through motion tracking and simulation software, placing Millfield at the forefront of school and university facilities for both sports. For Millfield Cricket, the new facility enables the sport to practise all the year round, at all times of day, to increase the already 370 strong programme (including 80 girls). The Centre features new PitchVision technology on three lanes, a state of the art 4G fielding area, three adaptable bowling and batting surfaces, as well as five nets and an expansive 22 metre run-up, as has already been used by professionals from Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.
We embark on a major overseas tour once every two years. Our most recent tour took 45 cricketers (2 boys’ squads and 1 girls’ squad) to Mumbai for a 15 match programme.
The twelve month Performance Programme integrates specialist technical, tactical and lifestyle coaching with sports science input from the Millfield Institute of Sport and Wellbeing team. The programme is individually tailored to optimise the performance of each player. There are presently 53 boys and girls who are county age group, county academy, regional and international cricketers on the programme.
It is not all about high performance, though, with over 350 boys and girls involved in cricket. There are Open and “Cricket Club sessions” run for cricketers of all ages and abilities throughout the week, and every pupil has the opportunity to be coached by our ECB Level III and Level IV coaches.
Cricketers at the school compete in a number of tournaments for different age groups, including the U14 County Cup, Lady Taverners Indoor and Outdoor tournaments, the National Schools T20 competition, National U17 Cup and both the Lord’s Taverners and T20 U15 competitions.
Millfield has performed consistently well over the years. In 2016 we became the first school ever to win three National titles in one season. Below are examples of some of our students' more recent achievements.
2018 – Winner of the U15 Girls National T20 Competition
2018 - Winners of the National Schools U18 T20 Competition
2018 - Winners of the U17 The Cricket Paper School Sport Cup
2016 - Winners of the U17 School Sport Cup
2016 - Winners of the National Schools U18 T20 Competition
2016 - Winners of the National Schools U15 T20 Competition
2015 - Winners of the U15 T20 National Cup
2014 - Runners Up of the U18 National Schools T20 Competition
2013 - Winners of the U15 National Lord's Taverners Competition
2012 - Winners of the National Schools U18 T20 Competition
Sam Young, Kasey Aldridge and Lewis Goldsworthy (all Somerset) signed professional contracts straight after leaving Millfield in 2019. The trio also starred for England U19’s in the recent ICC U19 World Cup in South Africa. Sam, Kasey and Lewis join graduates Tom Lace (Middlesex CCC), George Hankins (Gloucestershire), George Bartlett, James Hildreth, Max Waller (Somerset), Daniel Bell Drummond (Kent), Adam Wheater (Essex) and Tom Moores (Nottinghamshire) in the Professional Ranks ahead of the coming 2020 County Season. We have a number of current girls and boys who have been selected for County Academy and Emerging Player Programme programmes in 2019/20.
Millfield Cricket Centre hosts 1st Class Counties practices (Gloucestershire CCC and Somerset CCC), ECB Coach Education courses at Stage One and Level III and we also train our own students to assist with Lord Taverners “Super 1’s” Disability Cricket sessions and to coach within the local state schools and clubs. We hosted International Cricket for the first time in 2019 with England Women’s Test and ODI team taking on Australia A team and Ireland Women in a triangular Series. Millfield hosted the 32nd ECB David English Bunbury U15’s Cricket Festival in 2018. This is widely regarded as the best ever Bunbury festival.
In 2016 The Cricketer magazine awarded Millfield its Special Award for Excellence.
Follow us on Twitter @_MFCricket_
Meet Director of Cricket, Mark Garaway
An incredible 33 Millfield Prep cricketers have been selected into county performance squads from: Somerset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Wales and Jersey.
Millfield Cricketer Dominic Kelly has been selected to make his first-class senior debut for Hampshire County Cricket Club, at the age of just 16.
Millfield cricketer Gabriel Gallmann-Findlay has been selected to play for Scotland in the U19 World Cup in the West Indies in January.
Former England cricket spin-bowler, Peter Such, coached Millfield students during a day visit to the cricket centre.
Millfield cricketer Jess Hazell has been selected as part of Western Storm’s Regional Academy programme for the upcoming 2021 season.
Lower Sixth Jess is one of 14 cricketers who impressed at numerous trials held at prestigious cricket venues across the South West and Wales.
Cross Country
Students of all ages and abilities can take part in cross country. Four highly motivated and qualified staff ensure that the runners follow a flexible training regime. We are happy to vary our training to suit the individual, whether they are a top English Schools’ hopeful or a recreational athlete. We can train up to five times a week and students may select to attend sessions as ‘drop ins’ if they choose other main games.
We regard cross country as a team sport with around 20 dedicated boys and girls across the age groups, attending training sessions. We run regular hill sessions off campus, interval sessions throughout woodland, speed play, as well as steady long distance running. Our athletes can also choose to join core stability training sessions. From March we usually incorporate a weekly track session in preparation for the athletics season.
Last year 14 students across all ages qualified for the English Schools National Finals, one finishing 20th and another 23rd from the 350 strong field. Our boys also made the final at Sevenoaks in the ESAA XC Cup; the girls came second, posing out on first by just one point in 98! We were proud to win this in 2015. We attended a Gwent League fixture as well as many low key local school fixtures. For the first time, two girls teams attended the KHVIII relays in Coventry, finishing second and fifth from the 33 team entries from across the UK.
In recent years, our younger students have shown a great interest in steeple chase racing for the athletics season. Two students progressed from cross country to represent England at Home International last season.
Dance
Dance is an extremely popular main games option; we are lucky to have two well-equipped dance studios with brand new professional Harlequin sprung floors which enables us to offer over 30 classes throughout the week.
Classes are available in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Street Dancing, Contemporary and Musical Theatre. Ballet classes are offered to all abilities from Grade 5 to Grade 8. There is also opportunity to study the Intermediate Foundation and Intermediate Ballet vocational qualifications offered by the R.A.D, the I.S.T.D Intermediate Foundation Modern qualification and Grade 6 Tap. In other disciplines, lessons range from beginners to advance level. The wide choice of sessions ensure students of all standards are catered for.
Our six dance tutors offer a wide range of expertise to prepare students for exam work, taking junior and senior dance classes, and acting as choreographers for dance shows and school musicals. At the start of the year, auditions are held to form the school's senior and junior elite dance troupes: 'Bazique', 'Lavolta' and 'Veleta'. Students selected in an elite group will dance full time. These groups enable our very best dancers to experience a wide range of dance styles and develop skills in a variety of disciplines. Alongside these elite groups, dancers who wish to pursue a career in Dance can also apply to be a part of 'Aspire'. 'Aspire' caters for our gifted and talented dance students across all year groups, and dancers involved will have performance opportunities outside of school.
Meet Head of Dance, Rhian Fox
Equestrian
Riding
Millfield’s Director of Equestrian, Danny Anholt (FBHS, BHS Chief Examiner, BE Accredited Trainer) and his team of equestrian staff aim to offer the best combined equestrian and academic school environment in Britain.
We are also a BHS Approved Livery Yard and one of very few British schools with equestrian facilities on the campus.
Anyone can ride at Millfield. We have two levels of riders:
Full Time Riders – for students who have a horse at livery at the stables, or have a Millfield horse on half loan
Sessional Riders – for students who wish to take riding lessons throughout the term
Polo
Polo players at Millfield are lucky enough to represent one of the UK's leading polo teams here at Millfield. The School is one of only two institutions in the country to have its own polo field, based at Kingweston, with many past and present players featuring on both national and international teams; many students play for their country whilst still at Millfield. Millfield Polo has been hugely successful over the years, particularly at the Schools & Universities Polo Association National Championships Tournaments, which take place twice a year; one during the arena season and another during the summer season. Over the years, we have won the National Championship title over 18 times since the founding of the tournament, with Millfield competing as one of the first teams to play in the very first SUPA tournament.
Millfield Polo takes place at the picturesque site of Vaux Park, near to the school. Vaux Park offers state-of-the-art polo facilities, with both grass and all-weather pitches and a selection of experienced ponies available for players without their own at livery.
Equestrian facilities
• Stabling for 53 horses combining accommodation in American style barns and traditional stables
• Indoor arena 44m x 64m
• Outdoor arena 50m x 70m
• 2 sets of BSJA standard show jumps and portable X-C jumps
• Cross-country schooling fences
• Off road canter track and access to gallops
• All-weather horse walker and round pen
• Resident yard staff
The following events are cancelled: the Easter/OM show scheduled for 25 March and the NSEA Eventers Challenge show on 26 April.
For employment opportunities at Millfield Equestrian Centre please look at the Millfield Jobs page or the following sites:
equineeliterecruitment.com
bhs.org.uk/our-charity/jobs
careergrooms.co.uk
Meet Director of Equestrian, Danny Anholt
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A Millfield rider has been selected into the British Dressage National Academy and invited to attend the U21 European Long List Training Camp.
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Upper Sixth Millfield leaver Caitlin Clancy has been selected for the National Dressage Youth Academy.
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Millfield School in Somerset took first place in both the team and individual events at the prestigious National Schools and Pony Club Jumping Championships at Hickstead.
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Millfield Polo player Jemima Heffron has won the presitigous Black Bears Black Ladies Diamond Polo tournament.
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Millfield Year 11 student Tara Kay has begun a campaign towards national and international competition after being selected for the 2021 British Eventing Pony Development Squad.
Fencing
Millfield is proud to be the only school in the UK to offer training in all three fencing weapons to both sexes at the highest levels. Fencing is the fourth sport to have been given an Academy status at the school and is available to every student as a games option, irrespective of their age or skill, and offered as a sport option in Year 9.
Our six coaches provide all-round support, designed to help each student reach their potential. The purpose-built Fencing Salle contains ten training pistes each served with full electronic data recording equipment.
The Fencing Academy includes a comprehensive programme of squad sessions covering all weapons, timetabled lessons, personal competition plans and individual monitoring. We strive to provide both junior and senior pupils valuable competition experience, entering a number of home and abroad tournaments. These range from the Leon Paul Junior Series to World Cup and Grand Prix events.
Millfield has had over 70 students awarded international honours at all levels and last year won eight British Schools Team titles and retained the Overall Public Schools Championships Crown for a record eighth consecutive year.
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Millfield fencers have competed internationally at the African and Asian Zonal Championships.
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The Millfield fencing team have been crowned 2022 Public School Overall Champions.
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A round up of sport activities at Millfield during February 2022.
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Millfield fencer Steffi Berndt De La O has won the prestigious International Fencing Epee Cup in Dubai.
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Three Millfield students have been selected by British Fencing to represent Great Britain in the U17 European Cadets Circuit. Sabrina Jones (Lower Sixth), Haleena Callaghan and Maisie Everett (both Year 11) will travel to Heidenham, Germany and Belgrade, Serbia to compete later this month.
Football
Millfield’s Football programme has a notable reputation as an academy-level development pathway. By emphasising development and personal growth, we aim to create technically gifted young players in a holistic, technical, professional environment, which includes physiotherapy, on-site nutritionist, specialist coaches with senior professional backgrounds and world-class facilities.
Catering for all levels
Football is the largest participation sport across both genders at Millfield with almost 400 players taking part. Opportunities are available for all, from recreational to higher ability groups, through a full House/intramural programme. Millfield uses a late specialisation model which allows students to participate in a multitude of other sports including athletics, hockey, swimming, rugby, cricket and netball. Our students are exposed to coaches and athletes who encourage improvement development and participation, with a matched challenge environment which allows students to mix with like-minded individuals.
The girls' football programme is led by a full-time coach, who is specifically dedicated to girls' football. The programme includes individual and team training sessions, athletic development, performance analysis, psychological support, fixtures in cup competitions and friendlies against academies.
Our excellent facilities (11 full sized pitches and three training areas) and team of 19 coaches, including newly appointed UEFA Pro License coach Darren Robinson and two UEFA A and three UEFA B licenced coaches, enable every student to maximise his or her skill and fulfil their potential. Players are monitored during the season and first team players in particular are given strict training guidelines.
We offer football from Year 9 through to Upper Sixth. The 1st XI train up to six days a week which includes playing one match. All other teams train at least three times per week and play one match. Players who wish to excel in football are nurtured from Year 9, and if they show promise are put into the performance programme, which includes specialised goal-keeping coaching, strength & conditioning sessions, one on one coaching in the form of PS sessions or rotation card, psychological, physiotherapy and performance analyst support. Players who do not fall into this bracket are provided with excellent coaching that ensures each session is fun and game orientated.
Students compete in an array of competitions and tournaments, interspersed with numerous friendly games. Alongside national fixtures Millfield also arranges a number of international tours, such as to Holland, Russia, Florida, South Africa and Barcelona.
In recent years, the programme has seen success taking home the Boodles ISFA National 2020 title, winning in extra time. Players from this group have been invited to trial with domestic professional clubs whilst others are taking up scholarship places in both the UK and USA. The School has also had female Millfield football players selected for the ISFA national team, as well as the Somerset County School Club and the Somerset FA Advanced Coaching Centre. Alumni and existing students are also part of WSL pathway clubs and the School’s girls’ programme is enjoying an increase in participation and standard of overall players. Notable alumni including England and Aston Villa Centre Half, Tyrone Mings, with others playing League 1 to the National League.
Follow us on Twitter @millfieldfoot
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Golf
Millfield offers all those who are on the Golf programme the opportunity to develop their golf whilst undertaking academic studies.
Millfield have two qualified PGA golf professionals, Karen Nicholls who is the Director of Golf and Stuart Wells, who is the Head Coach. Students on the Golf Programme are given a full and rounded golf education, covering all aspects of the game. The programme is open to all ages, abilities and experiences. Our onsite outdoor facilities are excellent and include two putting greens, a nine hole pitch n putt course, specialist short game area, a 350 yard long driving range and a new indoor centre, The John Graveney Golf Centre, named after Old Millfieldian John Graveney who had a long history with Millfield, includes an 81 sq. metre Huxley putting green, two teaching bays with opportunity to hit outdoors with shutter doors open and an additional 6 practice bays. In addition, golfers receive coaching using V1 video analysis to further assist their development and have the use of the GC Quad and SkyTrak to help with all club and ball data, including putting. The indoor centre is in close proximity to the other golfing facilities. Enhancing the already impressive facilities with the latest in technology, the new all year-round facilities include two teaching bays with the opportunity to hit balls from the inside to outside. The new Golf Centre allows the golf programme to expand group sessions, as 16 students will be able to use the facilities at the same time.
Karen Nicholls, Director of Golf added, “The new golf centre takes golf at Millfield to a new level. We already have great outdoor golf facilities on campus so having such a vast indoor area will further enhance these facilities and be fantastic for all golfers.”
Students are given the opportunity to play at Championship golf courses to which Millfield have association with – Burnham & Berrow, Yeovil and Enmore. All areas of the game are covered including competitions, course observation with analysis, technical training, sports psychology and golf fitness. Competitions include the National tournaments along with tournaments abroad. Regular medal competitions are held to help continue the development of all players.
Millfield Golf has an impressive record at international and school level tournaments; these include successes at the World Schools Challenge Champions 2009 and 2011; HMC winners 12 times in 16 years; ISGA Schools Knock-Out Champions in 2008, 2009 and 2011, runners-up in 2016, 2018 and 3rd in 2017, 2019; European Schools Team winners 2016 and 2017 and Girls European Schools Champion 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 and Boys European Schools Champion 2017.
Individual successes include: OM Sophie Keech England Schools U18 Champion 2011 and 2013, England Girls U18 Champion 2013, England Women's Champion 2015 and Silver Tee Award winner and gains full playing card for the Ladies European Tour 2020; OM Jamie Li England U18; OM Alfredo Curbishley-Esnaola England U16; OM Harry Butler represents Mars Hill winning three times; recent leaver Mimi Rhodes GB&I Junior Vagliano Trophy in 2017, won the Scottish U16 Trophy 2017, England U18 International, England European Girls Championships 2019, European Team Junior Solheim Cup 2019, The Justin Rose Junior Daily Telegraph champion 2019 and England Women’s International 2019; Emily Price U18 England team, Tom Peet Wales Boys U18, Harriet Lockley Wales Girls U16 / U18, Wales European Girls Championships 2019. Patience Rhodes GB&I Junior Vagliano Trophy 2019. OM Ben Taylor qualifies for the US PGA tour 2020, OM Ben Evans continues on the European Men’s Tour and OM Joanna Klatten on the US LPGA Tour.
Meet Director of Golf, Karen Nicholls
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A round up of sport activities at Millfield during February 2022.
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Millfield golfer Dewi John has been selected to represent Wales in their upcoming U18 match against Ireland.
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Building work is now completed on Millfield's state of the art indoor Golf and Cricket Centres on campus.
Hockey
Every student can play Hockey at Millfield; boy or girl, experienced or inexperienced, Millfield prides itself on meeting the needs of all. Every player has access to our world class facilities and expert tutelage. Over the years Millfield has invested heavily in hockey with the school possessing three world class water based AstroTurfs.
Hockey is played two terms a year, with full fixture lists across both terms that include games against schools, universities and clubs from across the country. High performance players benefit from specialised technical one-to-one coaching; athletic development sessions with our full time strength and conditioning coaches as well as having access to performance analysis through our TPE and TPA software systems.
Our emphasis is not on winning but rather on player and student development whilst giving players the ultimate hockey experience.
Follow us on Twitter @HockeyMillfield
Millfield Activities Programme (MAP)
Meet Director of Hockey, Reggie Keates
Karate
Millfield produces a high standard of karate; every year students train towards achieving the level of black belt. We have two fully qualified coaches who are members of the British Traditional Karate Association, who teach students in a Wado-Ryu based style of karate. We hold both open and squad sessions, and aim to introduce and develop students of all ages and ability to the sport including those who may have had previous experience in other styles of martial arts.
Throughout the year there are opportunities for students to compete both in association and regional competitions where recent individuals and squads have gained top three finishes. The competitions are also an excellent opportunity for students from both the Prep and Senior School to compete as a unified squad to develop teamwork, determination and respect. For students who show excellent aptitude, there is the prospect of undertaking training with the English national squad, with the potential of squad selection by regional coaches. Students are also offered the chance to participate in specialised training courses and extended training camps during the year as another chance to develop their karate alongside world class instructors.
Karate is held in the purpose built Martial Arts Dojo which forms part of the Tennis Hall sports complex and classes are taught in an atmosphere of mutual respect between students and the instructors. The traditions of Japanese martial arts are practiced which create a great atmosphere for training. Students are trained in Kihon (basic techniques), Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring) and belt gradings usually occur every three months. In the last 5 years, there have been four students who have obtained a 1st or 2nd degree black belt which is a great achievement as a student typically needs three years of sustained training.
Chemistry teacher and Tutor in Charge of Karate, Tony Cheung, tells us why karate is important, not only from a health perspective, but as a means to improve discipline, focus and wellbeing.
Modern Pentathlon
Developed by the founder of the modern Olympic movement, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, and introduced in the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games, Modern Pentathlon is a unique and challenging sport for men and women.
The Millfield squad regularly enters athletes for regional and national competitions in biathle, biathlon, triathlon, tetrathlon and pentathlon. As a Pentathlon GB Academy, the affiliated club at the school has close links with the Talent Programme and Millfield athletes are regularly considered for international representation. Old Millfieldian pentathletes include former Olympian and Pentathlon GB Team Leader Dominic Mahoney and Irish Olympian and European Champion Arthur Lanigan O’Keeffe.
Modern Pentathlon is available to all students as a games option and our team of dedicated and expert coaches works closely with each individual in working towards their sporting goals.
Millfield Modern Pentathlon Academy
Netball
Millfield Netball encourages students of all ages and abilities to experience, enjoy and compete in netball. Eleven teams operate in total, so there are plenty of opportunities for players to compete against schools, colleges, universities and clubs.
Netball for Years 9-10 runs as a games option during the spring term, and they can access netball in the autumn term as a club; squad sessions are also available. Year 11 and Sixth Form girls can choose to play netball during both terms. Year 10 students can request to play netball for both terms if they are in the performance pathway.
Millfield has strong links with a number of Superleague franchises with athletes playing at U17, U19 and U21 NPL level and even at Superleague. Millfield is home to one of the Team Bath Academy Development Centres (ADC) which provides weekly court and strength and conditioning sessions for athletes aspiring to progress within the franchise. We also have students featuring in the England Netball Performance Pathway at County Academy.
High performance players are thoroughly supported along their journey in the Pathway through 1-1 coaching, strength and conditioning sessions, video analysis, psychological support and personal development plans. Our coaching team are highly qualified and experienced in both coaching and umpiring, which enables players at all levels to fulfil their potential. Sessions are skill based focusing on technical and tactical elements whilst also ensuring that students are developing in a nurturing and fun environment.
Millfield frequently features at the South West Regional Schools Competition and has progressed to Nationals Schools on numerous occasions across three age groups. Millfield also play within the Independent Schools Netball Cup at both U19 and U15 age groups regularly reaching the finals.
Meet Director of Netball, Jenna Adamson
Fourteen Millfield Netballers selected into Team Bath Athlete Development Centre
Fourteen Millfield netballers have been selected into the Somerset Team Bath Athlete Development Centre (ADC) for the 2022-2023 season.
Millfield netballers prepare for the School Games
Four Millfield netballers have been selected for the U15 Team Bath long squad in preparation for the upcoming 2022 School Games.
Millfield Netballer selected for U17 Ireland squad
Millfield Netballer Ella Honey has been selected into the U17 Ireland Squad for the 2022-23 season.
Outdoor Adventure
Millfield runs a wealth of outdoor adventure activities, available to every student. Whilst helping to develop skills and fitness they also help build mental strength and determination. Unlike many sports these are activities for life. We develop a positive environment which ensures students come away with a sense of achievement, satisfaction, confidence, and a real love for 'The Great Outdoors’.
We have 21 members of staff who assist students looking to explore new areas of interest, or develop existing skill sets. Our coaches run programmes for:
Archery
Students can choose to take archery as a recreational option once or twice a week. The students are taught basic shooting technique and are introduced to target and field shooting styles. We have regular informal competitions amongst participating archers, and we hold half-term and end-of-term shoots at our range.
Canoeing
Our canoeists use venues in Dartmoor including the rivers Dart, Walkham and Tavy with reasonable water levels. We also manage trips to the Cardiff and Tryweryn White Water Centres. Canoeists also have an opportunity to try surfing and short sea trips off the Jurassic Coast.
Caving
Most caving trips have been to Swildon’s Hole with Year 9 students. Caving is a new experience for many of the students and this location provides an exciting novice trip. The cave is well decorated with stalactites and stalagmites, and there is a selection of sporting climbs, crawls and squeezes.
Climbing
Regular training at the school, other indoor walls and outdoor venues such as Portland, Snowdonia and the Peak District enables our students to climb and gain associated skills from novice to experienced climber. Teams enter local schools and Independent Schools competitions.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award
In 2018-19, 100 students completed their award across the various levels. The pressures of academic and other co-curricular programmes continues to deter all but the most committed to complete what is considered the leading youth development programme in the world.
Sailing
Regular sailing takes place at Chew Valley Lake, 45 minutes from school. Our fleet of Fireflies and crew boats enable the pupils to compete in regular inter-school racing, BDSRA Regional and National events.
Ten Tors
This annual event staged on Dartmoor, in mid-May, provides a challenging event for a team of six. Annually 2,400 young people navigate, via a designated series of Tors over 35, 45 or 55 mile routes including an overnight camp on the moor. Once trained and assessed as competent, students are remotely monitored, providing them with a real sense of ownership and their own capabilities.
Outdoor Adventure - Expeditions and Affiliations
Weekly trips within the South West are a feature of the term. Recent expeditions have visited Tanzania (Kilimanjaro), Morocco (Gold DofE), Tenerife (Silver DofE), Climbing in Calpe and Mountaineering in Switzerland.
Millfield is affiliated to the BCU, BMC, RYA and is a Directly Licensed Centre for the provision of DofE. Additionally, we are a “Friend of the British Exploring Society”.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award Flyer
Rugby
The main aim of Millfield Rugby is to develop individual players in an enjoyable and challenging environment. At least three teams compete in each age group so physically smaller players can develop without being overpowered by those who have had an early growth spurt. Players are monitored carefully, regardless of the team they play in.
Confidence is particularly important, and this is fostered by playing a '15 man game' at levels where everybody is able to contribute. Enjoyment and development are at the heart of Millfield Rugby. We enjoy winning and this is a part of our sport but not the main motivation for us.
We play regular fixtures between September and March. These fixtures include 15-a-side and sevens.
Rugby is offered to girls as a MAP (Millfield Activity Programme) option and as a summer games option.
Millfield’s Director of Rugby is ex-Bath and England player John Mallett. He is supported by a team of 18 coaches. In January 2019 Millfield appointed Mike Baxter (Bath and Scotland Sevens) as Assistant Director of Rugby.
There are a large number of Old Millfieldians who are playing and have played international rugby. Currently this includes Chris Robshaw, Harlequins and former Captain for England; England prop, Mako Vunipola; Jonathan Joseph, Bath and England; Huw Jones and Adam Hastings, Glasgow and Scotland; and Gareth Edwards of Wales and The British Lions who is an OM and our current Millfield Rugby president.
Millfield Rugby continues to provide an opportunity for elite rugby players to develop and uncover their potential. In close tandem with this pathway it is our desire to encourage and enhance an enjoyment and passion for the game of rugby union.
Meet Director of Rugby, John Mallett
Ed Jackson, former professional rugby player turned mountaineer, mental health advocate and a recovering quadriplegic, is currently in Iceland preparing to ski across the Vatnajökull, the largest ice cap in Western Europe!
Six former Millfield rugby players have been selected for their respective home nations for the upcoming Six Nations tournament.
Between 4 February and 18 March 2023, four OMs will be representing their respective countries at the annual rugby union competition, Six Nations!
Two Millfield Upper Sixth rugby players attended the combined England Under-18’s Men’s Development Camp. George Timmins and Ieuan Davies were selected for the camp which took place between 25-27 October, which prepared players and created cohesion ahead of the next season.
Millfield Rugby have been crowned St Joseph’s Rugby Festival Champions for a record eighth time. The victory makes Millfield the most successful team in the tournament’s history, and the first ever team to win the prestigious competition in consecutive years.
Ski Racing
We run two very successful ski teams; one male and one female. Consistent performances in National Schools’ Championships prove how Millfield ranks as one of the best schools for Ski instruction and development on the British Isles. Training and conditioning is tailored to each student, allowing them to improve at a pace and style that they enjoy.
Typically we spend the autumn term training and competing on artificial slopes. At the beginning of December we have our race camp in Tignes France, where the squad is trained by British Ski Academy coaches. This camp includes training Giant Slalom, Slalom and Freestyle, with races and competitions at the end of the week. The squad attends three competitions in the spring term; the British Schoolgirls and Schoolboys races in France and Switzerland, and the British Interschools Ski Challenge in France. Wherever possible, we also support racers who attend FIS and other ski races during school time.
In recent years we have won National Schools' Championships on the artificial slopes circuits and also British international schools' races in the Alps. Former student James Whitley (2011-2016; Joan's Kitchen) competed as part of Team GB in the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Squash
Boys and girls of all ages and ability are encouraged to play and enjoy squash, not just on a full time basis but also as a fitness and social activity. With six squash courts and a coaching team directed by Ian Thomas, students have the means to continually develop their technique and skill, while gaining experience in numerous fixtures and competitions.
Whilst members of the full time squad train six days a week, there are also regular sessions throughout the week for students of all abilities.
Many of our youngsters have represented England and other countries at Junior levels; Old Millfieldian Peter Creed is an eight time Welsh national men's champion. Our Old Millfieldians include Angus Gilliam, who broke into the top 70 in his second year of becoming a professional squash player, Peter Marshall, a former British and European Number 1 and World Number 2 professional squash player, Mohamed ElShorbagy, World Number 1 and Marwan ElShorbagy, World Number 3, who regularly return to Millfield to train.
Swimming
The Millfield Swimming programme is designed for students from every year level of the school. Swimming training sessions are available for swimmers from county to international standard, with a dedicated programme for those who wish to swim recreationally.
Millfield is recognised as one of the top clubs in Great Britain. We have six full time coaches, led by Director of Swimming Euan Dale, who is supported by lead coaches Rachel Aldington, James Clarke and Matt Puddy along with athletic development lead Daniel Waddingham and development coach Keiran Smith. Millfield is equipped with the most impressive training facilities of any school in the country, with a 50m Olympic pool built to FINA/AASA standards. The pool also has full water polo facilities to European standards.
Millfield participates in a host of local, regional and national swimming competitions. We continually produce international, national and regional champions year on year. Along the way, swimmers learn lifelong skills such as effective time management, dedication and goal setting – all of which transfer to successful adult life.
The school produced 24 Olympians in its short history and has had a swimmer at every Olympic Games since 1968 including champions like Duncan Goodhew, Mark Foster and most recently the incredible James Guy.
Full-time swimmers usually operate in groups of 20. By maintaining groups of this size, the squad is able to facilitate an atmosphere of enjoyment and challenge offered through peer interaction. This, coupled with the highly individual attention offered by the coaches to each swimmer, creates a positive and productive training environment. Training sessions are offered six days per week, with individual training programmes tailored to the swimmer’s stage of development.
Follow us on Twitter @MillfieldSwim
Meet Director of Swimming, Euan Dale
- Prep
- Prep Sport
The Millfield Prep swim team have been crowned national champions in all four events at the Secondary Schools Team Relay Championships.
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- Senior
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Millfield swimmer on world-class pathway achieves outstanding GCSE results (opens in new window/tab)
Millfield swimmer Adam Graham who won a silver and three bronze medals at the British Summer Championship has received fantastic GCSE results.
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- Sixth Form
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Former Millfield swimmer Imara-Bella Thorpe will be making her Commonwealth Games debut in the pool in Birmingham, exactly 40 years after her father.
- Prep
- Sport
Millfield Prep School swimmers are IAPS National Finals champions for the 35th year in a row.
The team travelled to the London Aquatics centre to compete earlier this month. The morning races for the boys were a success, with the session one relay times faster than they performed at the regional round.
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- Sixth Form
- Sport
A round up of sport activities at Millfield during February 2022.
Tennis
Millfield’s Tennis Academy is fully equipped to meet the demands of students of any age and ability. Recreational players have the chance to represent Millfield in regular games against local schools and to train up to three times a week during the Summer Term. Individual tuition from one of the school's LTA licensed coaches is available throughout the year.
As the leading co-educational tennis school in the country, Millfield Tennis Academy provides sport and academic education, Athletic Development training, individual lessons, sports science and tournament support. These are all included in the High Performance Programme, led by LTA coaches with a proven track record of players going on to be awarded scholarships in the US and playing professional tennis.
Millfield competes in various tournaments (LTA, ITF and ETA) and fixtures against other academies, counties, clubs and universities. We run summer camps for established junior players, aged 8 - 14, which are open to the public.
Follow us on Twitter @Millfieldtennis
Trampolining
Trampolining at Millfield provides a challenging and enjoyable programme for beginners and experienced trampolinists. Senior students can choose it as a games option both recreationally and competitively. Juniors take part in addition to their games programme but the timetable allows for this.
Millfield has two competitive trampolines with 6mm x 6mm and a 6mm x 4mm beds. An overhead rig is available for learning somersaults and more complex skills. Trampolining has three coaches; one Level 4, one Level 2 and one Level 1.
We enter the National Schools Competition as individuals and teams where we achieve regular success. In the last five years we have won the U15 Boys Elite team national title, been runners up in the U15 Girls Novice team and third in the U19 Intermediate Girls. Last year, medals were won by both individuals and teams at the South West Schools competition. We also enter local trampolining club competitions.
Triathlon and Road Cycling
Triathlon at Millfield offers a cutting edge programme for aspiring athletes. Each athlete has a bespoke programme tailored to their individual needs, with typically over 10 to 12 sessions per week. Full use is made of the superb swimming programme at Millfield with athletes regularly competing in swimming events alongside triathlon.
Run by British Triathlon Level 3 coach, Peter Guthrie and assisted by experienced triathletes and cyclists, Millfield is one of the only schools in the UK to have a full-time Triathlon Coach, Christian Brown. The affiliated club at the school enters students for the British Triathlon Super Series events, European and World qualifiers and local triathlon and British Cycling events where athletes are supported by school coaches.
Cyclists benefit from regular sessions on the Wattbike’s in the school gyms, all programmed specifically for each athlete’s needs. Athletes visit the Human Performance Lab at Bath University for Lactate Threshold testing to ensure that training is at optimum levels for improvement.
Athletes have the opportunity to go overseas for up to two training camps per year to focus on developing cycling, running and swimming in warm conditions in preparation for the season.
Triathlon and Road Cycling Flyer
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- Sixth Form
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Millfield student Jen Sykes has been selected by British Cycling for the regional development squad in sprint cycling.