Sports

What's on offer?

Andy Whittall, Director of Sport

The benefits will be numerous. The centre is going to change beyond recognition the sporting experience of so many of the boys at Tonbridge.

Andy Whittall, Director of Sport (Former Zimbabwe Test cricketer and Captain of Cambridge University 1st XI)

Tonbridgians have always enjoyed and celebrated sport. We have wonderful playing fields and a strong staff of dedicated teachers to encourage and develop the boys' team skills. The recent addition of the Foundation Astro has elevated our outdoor facilities to world class and it is now time to upgrade our indoor infrastructure.

Indoor sports will give boys a much greater range of options, allowing everyone to find an activity they really enjoy.

Some of the sporting activities planned for the new centre are:

  • Aerobics
  • Badminton
  • Basketball
  • Climbing
  • Cricket
  • Cricket nets
  • Cycling machines
  • Fencing
  • Football (5 a-side)
  • Free weights
  • Hockey
  • Judo
  • Karate
  • Korfball
  • Netball
  • Other martial arts
  • PE teaching
  • Physiotherapy and fitness assessment
  • Rowing machines
  • Running machines
  • Sub-aqua
  • Swimming
  • Table tennis
  • Tennis
  • Water polo
  • Weight machines
John Gibbs, OT and teacher

Our emphasis is on widening the range of choice so that all boys, regardless of their ability, can increase their enjoyment of sport.

John Gibbs, OT and Tonbridge teacher since 1969

Beyond the school

Kelly Holmes
Kelly Holmes, winner of two gold medals in the 2004 Olympic Games, trained on the School’s athletics track from the age of 12.

Tonbridge has a history of sharing its facilities with the town and wider community. The list is long - from events for less-abled sports people to regular swimming lessons in the School pool for local primary schools to aspirant athletes using our track. The Tonbridge School Centre will provide great scope for us to build on this tradition.

In addition to sharing the Centre with our neighbours, we have the real potential of playing a part in the 2012 Olympics. With the new building and our existing outside sports facilities we will have a first class venue for visiting athletes and teams. This will bring tremendous excitement to the school, underwriting our role as a centre of excellence.