We have had 37 fixtures for Years 7 and up, plus weekly Junior fixtures, seeing a growth in participation and performance across the board. We have had over 140 students take part in cricket fixtures from hardball cup matches to softball friendlies with opportunity open to all to come and get involved in the game. With a 70% win ratio across the season, the cricketing performance and reputation of the school continues to grow.
We have an exceptionally strong Year 6 cohort this year, with three players being invited to represent Oxfordshire at county U12 level, and more aspiring to do so next year. A number of our Year 5 and 6 students have also had the opportunity to ‘play up’ in our U12 and U13 weekend block hardball fixtures. This is testament to their strength, but also the strength of the programme to offer them the opportunity to travel to some of the top schools and test their skills – with huge successes.
The U13 (Years 7 and 8) season started off on a high, placing 3rd at the ECB Indoor National Finals at Lord’s during activities week. Our U13 cup team progressed further than ever before in the School Sports Magazine T20 cup, beating Redmaid’s in the round of 16 before bowing out to a strong Blundell’s side in the quarter-final. The season culminated, as ever, at Dragon School with two tough fixtures testing themselves against the IAPS National Schools winners, but there were some excellent individual performances on show.
This year our seniors have represented themselves at the very top level, against some of the top schools in the country. Following on from their U15 successes last year the Year 11s joined an already outstanding cohort in the U12 and 13 years, offering depth and experience with specific skillsets building to make an exceptional team. A very strong performance against Haileybury to start the season set them up well for what would turn out to be two brilliant cup runs. My thanks to everyone who has played throughout their exam year, and the commitment shown by all in the squad throughout the winter in 1:1 sessions and evening training – the hard work really paid off.
Special mention to our departing Upper Sixths who throughout their time at SHSK have show exceptional commitment, reaching four national finals (indoor and outdoor) along the way, numerous players representing Oxfordshire and now playing very high-level club and county cricket outside of school.
Looking ahead to next year, at the start of the Easter holidays 2027, a squad of 26 students will travel to Barbados for 12 days of sport. As we saw with the tour to Sri Lanka, the opportunity to play cricket in a different culture, conditions and environment is invaluable experience for all those on the trip. Travelling with an outstanding senior squad, supported by some exceptional young talent makes the tour extremely exciting. As a kick-starter to the 2027 season it doesn’t get much better – but there is a lot of hard work and training to be done over the winter first.