Sporting excellence and sport for all

Rugby is synonymous with St Joseph’s College. We are proud of the part the game plays in uniting the community of the College, and celebrate a rugby programme that has developed more than 20 professional players in the past decade alone. That puts St Jo’s amongst the best independent rugby schools across the UK and Europe.

Hosting the annual National Schools Rugby Festival has cemented St Joseph’s place at the centre of school rugby since 1986. The festival has now become one of the most prestigious schoolboy rugby tournaments in Europe, has been dubbed ‘the king-maker’ by the national press, and has seen some of rugby’s biggest stars grace the St Joseph’s College pitches.

Our vision for rugby is underpinned by our ability to deliver a comprehensive programme for all, balancing the aspirational development of our talented players alongside promoting the core values of the game that makes it so accessible to all.

St Joseph’s College boasts enviable provision for developing rugby players, including state- of-the-art pitches, strength and conditioning gymnasium, performance analysis suites and a new combat conditioning facility. The programme is delivered and directed by Rowland Winter, who is supported by a team of coaches and support staff who have coached and played at the highest levels of the game and have achieved continued success within the world of rugby development.

We might have once been widely acclaimed only for our outstanding rugby provision, but these days we love and embrace the beautiful game too! St Joseph’s College is dedicated to providing a supportive and holistic environment for its footballers – male and female – as they progress and excel on their dual career pathways. Our goal is to cultivate and support the next generation of outstanding footballers in the East region by providing a thriving performance environment that nurtures individual growth and development.

With a focus not solely on results but also encompassing the individual journey of each student, we offer unrivalled opportunities for students striving to achieve their personal and athletic potential. We encourage players to participate in representative and academy football when selected, and make allowances to balance training and playing exposure in support of these endeavours.

St Jo’s has strong links with university football programmes, including Loughborough and Essex, and with United States’ institutions awarding sports scholarships.

Our dedicated coaching professionals provide a supportive environment for girls and boys as they mature and grow in athletic prowess. They include Colchester United player – and Ipswich Town legend – Cole Skuse, who brings a unique insight into the professional game, and Paige Shorten, a highly-respected UEFA A License coach, a leading figure in female youth development. Louis Henman-Mason, an FA coach and a semi-professional footballer, is also part of the team. His experience as a student-athlete at a US university is invaluable.

St Joseph’s College Netball engages with every female student from the very start of their College career to the final bell… and beyond. Our Netball programme is player-centred and individualised through mentoring, team training and one-to-one sessions. We recognise the power that sport – and especially female-centred sport – can have, and we use every touch point with our students to inspire them to achieve their own individually-defined success. That may be aspiring for selection to a school team, joining a local club, trialling for the county or achieving national league pathways.

Our Netball programme concentrates on the fundamentals, instilling and reinforcing these from Prep School to First Team. This grassroots-up focus allows our student athletes to move seamlessly through the College, continually developing along the way. The College’s highly-qualified and experienced coaches and teachers are passionate about Netball and girls’ sport. They emphasise creativity, control, commitment and focus. Applied in all training sessions and lessons, these cornerstones encourage independent thinking and resilience. 

We believe participation in sport bolsters all aspects of life, providing girls with the experience they need to succeed in school and to become strong, talented women. In the latter stages of their education, we prepare them for life and netball post-St Joseph’s College, including those who will follow dual-career degree courses. The strength of our community bond is demonstrated in both the coaching work girls undertake with younger students, and their return to St Jo’s to support the National Netball Festival and the Old Birkfeldians v First Team match each year.

St Joseph’s College takes pride in its Cricket programme, which is designed to provide an enjoyable and rewarding experience for every participant in an open and inclusive environment. The 2023-24 academic year is set to see more than 100 students participate in weekly games and club activities, with 10 age-group teams representing the school in 64 fixtures.

For those students wishing to enhance their technical skill development, 1-2-1 and small group coaching is available throughout the year in any of the sport’s three disciplines: batting, bowling and fielding. Students also have the opportunity to compete in a range of tournaments, including the County Cup at U12, U13, U14 and U15 levels, the ECB Girls National Indoor competition at U13 and U15 levels, and the National T20 Cup at U18 level.

Several students currently at the College are part of county age group squads, including Head Girl Amélie Clarke, who was recently named Suffolk U18 Girls captain. The College also boasts a rich history of cricketing success, with several former pupils having gone on to representative cricket and the professional game. These include Matt Hunn (Kent CCC) and Matt Henry (New Zealand international).

Looking ahead, the College is committed to building on its strong foundations and developing a successful cricket programme that provides an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all students. Whether they are looking to develop their skills or compete at a higher level, the Cricket Programme at St Joseph’s College is designed to cater to the needs of every participant, regardless of their ability or experience.