St George’s Ascot Director of Sport Sophie Appleby on its enhanced swimming programme and increased provision in traditionally ‘male’ games
Swimming is one of the most demanding sports a young person can pursue. It requires precision, power, time management and grit. That’s why, this year, we’ve taken our swimming provision to the next level.
Our Performance Swimming Programme offers talented young swimmers a high-performance coaching environment while ensuring they continue to thrive in the classroom. This September we will welcome the first group of girls onto our elite swim programme with training sessions integrated into the school day and throughout the week, enabling the girls to strike a good balance between academic focus and athletic ambition
I am excited to welcome Nicky Matthews as Head Coach for our Performance Swimming Programme. Nicky has extensive experience developing young swimmers to a national level – her approach is purposeful and professional, but also incredibly supportive. She coaches with drive, challenging and championing young athletes to take their next steps with confidence.
In parallel with our swimming development, we’ve also expanded opportunities in cricket and football, giving girls a chance to explore sports they may not have previously considered their own. Cricket is now a key part of our summer and winter calendars, following the installation of our indoor hardball cricket nets last May. We are supported by a coaching partnership with Royal Ascot Cricket Club.
Our girls are thriving in matches, developing technical skills, tactical understanding and loving the camaraderie that cricket brings. We have embedded specialist coaching, competitive fixtures and a pathway for those who want to pursue the game seriously. The same is true for football, which has seen a sharp rise in interest and talent. With growing national visibility in the women’s game, it felt essential to give St George’s girls the chance to be part of that movement.
While our Performance Swimming Programme, football and cricket may be the latest additions to feature in our rich and diverse sports programme, we are continually evolving our provision to ensure every girl finds her space to shine. From netball to tennis, dance to badminton, athletics and beyond, our girls have the chance to enjoy, lead and inspire.
A favourite part of my job is seeing a girl realise what she is capable of. Sometimes that moment happens in a fixture, sometimes it’s in a training session, sometimes it’s just the quiet pride of knowing she kept going when something felt hard. These are the moments that build character, not just athleticism.
I have experienced time and time again that when girls are given the opportunity to push themselves, to lead, to fail safely and try again, they discover they are capable of more than they ever imagined and that is what sport in schools should be about.
I want every St George’s girl to leave us knowing they can stay in sport in whatever form they choose, whether that’s through competition, coaching, volunteering or simply personal enjoyment. I am so proud to be part of a school that is investing in the future and doing so with purpose.
St George’s Ascot stgeorges-ascot.org.uk
Further reading: Why cricket rules as a great school sport
You may also like...
