The Other Half

Karate Karate is an excellent way to improve fitness, co-ordination, stability and suppleness – skills useful in other sports. It also has the added benefits of teaching self-defence, discipline and thus increases self-confidence. Sessions are timed to allow you to participate in another sport as well. No experience is necessary. Gradings are up to four times a year; a Black belt takes a number of years to achieve, based on aptitude, application and consistency over time. Our karate coach Sensei Patience Kakatie is looking forward to sharing some of the secrets of her success with our pupils. Pilates It is recognised that there is growing evidence to suggest that a strong core and improved flexibility is key to sporting success. The classes focus on delivering a programme which seeks to improve pupils’ core strength in order to assist in keeping them injury free and stronger through their core. Rifle Club Pupils may sign up for Rifle Club at the start of the year and are expected to commit themselves to one afternoon weekly. No experience is necessary since training is provided. Those who wear glasses are at no disadvantage (some of our best shots do). There is a trophy for the best beginner. Once at a reasonable standard, pupils are formed into teams and entered for postal competitions against other schools. We now have the opportunity to shoot in international matches against European schools. There is also an opportunity to participate in our annual exchange with the Stade team in Germany during the Easter holidays. Lower school boys may sign up for the eight-week Air Rifle Youth Proficiency Scheme. Successful completion of this course allows lower school boys to move on to .22 rifle shooting. Recently, members of the Rifle Club have won County titles, and some have taken part in GB development training. Rugby Sevens Rugby Sevens is run as a Lent term Other Half activity from U12 to U16 age groups. At Sixth Form pupils can select Rugby Sevens as their core sport as well as in Wednesday Other Half sessions. The objective of Rugby Sevens is to offer all pupils an opportunity to further develop their individual rugby skills through regular training sessions and competing in nationally recognised competitions. It is a true development pathway for our pupils with emphasis in training on core skill development combined with tactical decision-making and growing their understanding of Rugby Sevens. The training and competition also helps to assist any elite players in their preparation and participation for county, academy or national representation. Sailing We mainly sail at Farmoor Reservoir, with beginners using boats owned by the Oxford Sail Training Trust and more advanced sailors making use of our extensive school fleet, which includes eight Standard Lasers, four RS500s, two 29ers and two SB20 keelboats. Opportunities for sailors at Abingdon are varied and include learning to sail from scratch, developing racing skills in single handed, double handed and multi-crew boats and working towards RYA qualifications. Abingdon’s Sailing Club has an active DofE program with expeditions offered under sail at Bronze, Silver and Gold Level. As an RYA recognised training centre we supplement the yachting side by offering and delivering RYA theory courses up to and including yachtmaster theory as well as the Diesel Engine course and RYA VHF radio course. Highlights for the Sailing Club over the past few years include competing at Cowes week, competing in the SB20 World Championships and students passing their Day Skipper, Dinghy Instructor and Yachtmaster Qualifications (run in association with partner organisations). SPORT AND FITNESS 40