Designing the right sporting experience
Over the coming weeks, students will begin selecting their sports for the 2027 school year. This is always an exciting time as they look ahead to new opportunities, and it also provides a chance to share some of the thinking behind several changes we are making to the program in 2027.
Over recent editions of Insight, I have written about the work we have been doing to better understand what motivates students’ participation in sport. One of the clearest findings has been that students value their involvement in sport for different reasons. Some are driven by competition and performance, others are inspired by learning new skills, many relish the opportunity to build friendships, and a number simply enjoy being active.
These insights are now helping shape the guiding principles that underpin our Sport program and are influencing many of the decisions we make about the experiences we create for students at Haileybury.
One of the biggest shifts in our thinking has been recognising that a student’s sporting experience is shaped by more than ability alone. Ability will always remain important, but so does a student’s previous experience and their motivation for choosing a particular sport. By considering all three together, we can create environments that better meet the needs of every student.
One example is the continued expansion of the sports available to our students. With more than 40 different sports now on offer across the School, students have more choice than ever before. In 2027, we are expanding those opportunities even further through the introduction of indoor archery, pickleball, padel, surf lifesaving and Ssurfing. These additions recognise that students are motivated by different experiences. For some, they provide the opportunity to discover a sport they may never have previously considered. For others, they may simply be the opportunity to find the activity that best suits their interests and strengths.
Additionally, in Spring 2027, Senior School students will have the opportunity to select a new program called Sports Careers. Recognising that many students aspire to build careers in sport beyond playing, this program will provide an introduction to careers in areas including fan engagement, event delivery, athlete services, mass participation, media communications and sports technology, broadening students’ understanding of the many pathways available within the sporting industry.
In other areas, rather than introducing new sports, we have focused on rethinking how traditional sports are delivered. For many students, how they participate can be just as important as what they participate in. For example, our tennis program will now offer students the opportunity to choose between ‘learning to play’ or ‘competition.’ The ‘learn to play’ selection will primarily focus on coaching and skill development, with staged introduction to match play to happen as the student feels more comfortable.
Similarly, in cricket, students will be able to choose between two options; either the traditional APS/AGSV competition, or Last Man Stands, which is a shorter, more flexible format that appeals to students looking for a different playing experience. These initiatives recognise that a one-size-fits-all approach won’t meet the needs of every student and that, by thoughtfully adapting the playing experience, we can create opportunities that appeal to a broader range of students.
Putting our philosophy into practice
As part of the sport selection process, students will be asked two simple questions. The first asks about their previous experience in the sport, while the second explores what motivated them to choose it. Some students are primarily motivated by the opportunity to compete and represent Haileybury, while others are looking to play alongside friends or simply try something new. Each of these motivations is equally valid but understanding them provides valuable context for our coaches.
By considering a student’s demonstrated ability, previous experience and motivation together, we can make more informed decisions about how we build teams and support students throughout the season. In some cases, this information may influence team selection. In others, it may simply help coaches better understand the students they are working with and create environments where individuals and teams are more likely to thrive.
As our program continues to evolve, our ambition remains unchanged: to create the right sporting experience for every student. We believe that understanding a student’s ability, experience and motivation is fundamental to achieving that goal.
Every student. Their way.
Matthew Dwyer
Head of Sport (One Haileybury)
