Given the current situation and associated limitations we are experiencing regarding changing, staffing, year group bubbles and activity space, this will be the final stage of the phased return to evening school sport for Year 7 for the foreseeable future.

If your son plays Hockey, Badminton, Table Tennis, Gaelic Football or was interested in joining the Karate or Boccia clubs. Or if he was unsuccessful at the Football or Basketball trials and was looking forward to getting involved in the weekly recreational provision we would ordinarily offer, then I offer my apologies. We cannot, at this stage, offer more after school sport than that which will be in place from the end of next week. We may however, be able to introduce a lunchtime indoor rowing club after Half Term – more to follow on that nearer the time.

Of course, it is our hope to be able to reinstate provision in all other areas of sport as soon as we are able, and when that time comes I will write to parents accordingly. 

Failing any confirmed Year 7 Covid case at the school, this will be the Year 7 sports programme for next week:

Monday 12th	Cross Country Training
Tuesday 13th	Rugby Trials East Wing (H, I, J, K)
Wednesday 14th	Football A&B Squad Training
Thursday 15th	Rugby Trials West Wing (P,Q,R,S) Water Polo Thursday Training Group
Friday 16th	Basketball Training Water Polo Friday Training Group

If your son envisages a clash of activities on Thursday or Friday of next week he should talk to the relevant members of staff.  We will do all we can to be accommodating in those situations. 

Rugby Trials:

Tuesday 13th	Rugby Trial East Wing (H, I, J, K)
Thursday 15th	Rugby Trial West Wing (P, Q, R, S)

3.35 – 5.00pm. Change at the Gymnasium, trialling on the bottom rugby pitch. 
Boys should come to the Gymnasium after their final lesson of the day, where they will be met be the teacher i/c Y7 rugby – Mr Winfield. They will need their kit appropriate for rugby, given the weather on that day. Boots are compulsory. A gumshield will not be necessary at this time.  If the boys want to bring a drinks bottle, this should be labelled with their name. Should any boy be interested in trialling for rugby, but unable to attend on the specified evening, they can attend the alternate evening.

Please be aware that after the trials process for rugby, weekly training evenings will be Monday and Thursday. That will come into effect from week beginning 19th November.  However, as you will already be aware, Monday 19th is a Teacher Training Day and the students are not in school on that date.

Parents and Pick Up’s:

At the current time we have some restrictions in place which affect most of the students and their parent / guardian.  Please be aware of the following:

• Parents are not permitted to spectate at sporting trials or practices until further notice.
• Pupil vehicle pick up’s must happen off-site at this time.  There are areas at the front of school appropriate for pick up, also at the Old Northamptonians car park and the local streets opposite school.  Students crossing Billing Road MUST use the pedestrian crossing.
• If any parent feels their son merits dispensation to allow for a pick up at the sports hall car park, I would request that you contact me at the school to make me aware and discuss as appropriate. 

Please be reassured that there will be stringent adherence to relevant health and safety requirements during each of the sports practices.  Including the sanitisation of changing spaces, equipment and hands.  Please also be aware that under current guidelines we are not permitted to lend items of clothing or footwear to students who forget their kit for practice.

Kind regards,

Jamie Wilcock
Director of Sport