Sport, Fitness & Riding

All girls participate in Physical Education throughout their time at Mayfield and all are able to trial for a place in sports squads. Currently, we offer squads in athletics, cricket, cross-country, football, hockey, netball, riding, swimming and tennis. Additional paid activities are available such as tennis coaching. For both physical and mental well-being, we are keen for every girl to take part in at least one extra-curricular physical activity per term, whatever their level and interest.

In This Section

Athletics

Years 7-13
(Summer Term)
Athletics clubs run during the Summer Term and involve both general athletics practice for all squad athletes and individual event-specific coaching and training sessions for track, jumping and throwing events. There are additional track fitness training sessions for pupils wanting to work on their running technique, general fitness, speed and stamina. Students compete in local, regional and national competitions.

Badminton

Years 7-13
Several different sessions in the week will accommodate different ages and abilities.  For those who would like to play Badminton competitively there will be a few fixtures during the school year. As well as a GCSE session there will be an open clubs for those who simply want to play more socially, learn the basic skills and develop their knowledge of the game. 

Basketball

Cricket

Fencing *

Fitness Room

Football

Years 7 - 13
Sessions organised by age group
With this being one of the fastest growing female sports, these sessions cater for girls who have little experience as well as those who wish to extend their playing ability. Training focuses on skill development as well as game play. There are opportunities for those who wish to play competitively in inter-school and county competitions.

Golf *

Years 10 – 13
This is a chance for girls who are new to this sport or have played before to attend a driving range near to the school. Taking place on a Friday after school at the driving range at Horam Park Golf Club, they will receive a bucket of balls each and free club hire (so no need to have your own clubs to participate). There will also be the opportunity for a group lesson once per half term, depending on numbers. Our goal, eventually, is to play at least one round of 9 holes per half-term, although this will, of course, be weather-dependent.

Hockey (Including Goal-Keeper Training)

Years 7-13
Sessions organised by year group
Building on fitness, skills and match play covered in curriculum hockey lessons, extra-curricular hockey offers additional training both for pupils wanting to play competitively in the School hockey teams and those who just want to gain further experience in the sport. Pupils have the opportunity to compete in fixtures locally, regionally and nationally.

Netball

Personal Training, Scholars

Years 7-13
Limited numbers
The focus of the personal training sessions is strength and conditioning targeted LTAD (Long Term Athletic Development).
The sessions focus on each girl’s individual requirements as well as guiding them through injury prevention and nutritional advice for training and competitions. This is important for the physical well-being of any pupil, not just high-performing sportswomen.

Running / Cross Country

Strength and Conditioning

Tchoukball

Tennis *

Years 7-13
Information will be sent out separately to give details of private tennis coaching sessions which are delivered all year round by Elevate Tennis Coaching. Please note that pupils are signed up once for coaching throughout the Autumn and Spring Terms, and then again in the Summer Term.

Tennis will also be available as part of the PE extra-curricular timetable for all years in the summer term.

Volleyball

Riding *

Years 7-13
The riding programme at Mayfield caters for beginners through to experienced riders aiming to compete nationally and internationally. We have outlined the main options below. For further information please contact Mrs Jill Barker (jbarker@mayfieldgirls.org) or via the school office.

Learn to ride *

Loan or share a horse or pony *

We offer a loan scheme to pupils who do not own their own horse or pony but would like to develop their riding and stable management skills further by having access to a horse that is kept as if it were their own, under the supervision of Mayfield staff. Horses are available as a full loan or a part share, subject to availability. Whilst riders can borrow a hat and body protector at the riding school, we recommend that they have their own, which must have a British standard kite mark on it. They should have stout shoes / boots with a heel (not wellingtons).

Keep your horse at school *

Mayfield Equestrian Squad *

Our squad competes at all levels from grass roots to National Championships in dressage, show jumping, arena eventing & One Day Events. Riders are encouraged to join the highly successful Mayfield Equestrian Squad – to compete for the School at whatever level and in the range of disciplines they choose as teams / individuals – and benefit from squad training.

We recognise that some riders compete for fun whilst others have a burning ambition to be pushed as far as possible.

There is also scope to compete outside School and many pupils compete at affiliated competitions as well.

Riders are taught in groups according to ability and lessons take place during lunchtimes and after school; competitions are usually held at weekends.

Polo*

Available to riders who have achieved our minimum standard. Girls must be able to walk, trot and canter, have independent control of a horse and have a secure riding position. Oakwood Park Polo Club will provide the Polo ponies and teach the basic skills required, before progressing onto playing a game. There are only 4-6 places available, which will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Swimming

Advanced Swim Coaching *

Years 7 - 13
Run by Sharon Wheeler, Head Coach at Beacon Swimming Club, these sessions are for dedicated swimmers who want to be part of the school squad and are ready to be challenged further than our club sessions allow. Pupils must be able to swim three strokes and be prepared to swim over distances greater than 2000m. Pupils can select from one to two sessions per week.

Beginners’ Lessons *

Years 7-13
These lessons are perfect for pupils who need to improve their basic technique or their water confidence. Suitable for girls with no experience at all, up to those who cannot swim 50m unaided, including those who are unable to swim with their face in the water. These sessions are essential for any girl in Years 7-9 whose swimming skills are not yet proficient enough to join in curriculum swimming lessons. Pupils in Years 10 and above who are unable to swim are also welcome to attend these sessions.

Swim Training for All (Improvers and Squad training) and Swim Fitness

Years 7 - 13
These open sessions are for swimmers of all abilities who want to improve their fitness or technique including stroke, speed, starts and turns. Mayfield has a successful competitive swimming squad with teams competing in Junior, Inter and Senior School galas; pupils wanting to be considered for the School swimming squad must attend at least two sessions a week. Pupils wishing to join this club must be able to swim two recognisable strokes and a minimum of 100m unaided. Squad swimmers are expected to swim three to four recognised strokes in order to be considered for the team.