Other Sports

Cross country running is a popular choice at Bundell’s and seem to be one of those things that is simply part of our DNA. We are lucky enough to be able to make the most of the beautiful school surroundings to explore rural Devon, whether it is running on the nearby Canal path or going through the muddy fields and rivers surrounding the school. We pride ourselves to offer cross country running not only to our elite runners but also to anybody who is keen to improve their fitness and want to spend an afternoon with like-minded people. In our sessions, no one gets left behind and our students always seem to be coming back from the runs with a big smile on their faces!

A number of pupils qualify each year for the Devon Schools Championships.

At the most recent English Schools Championships in 2019, Ben Fitzherbert and Archie Guinness represented Devon in the Junior Boys age group.

At Blundell’s there is a very active Equestrian Team that regularly compete in local NSEA events (National Schools Equestrian Association) such as Show Jumping and Arena Eventing at Bicton, Pontispool and King Sedgemoor Equestrian Centres. Our riders are encouraged to compete at all levels and whilst regularly qualifying for National Championships such as Hickstead, we also very much welcome all Blundell’s riders to be a part of our equestrian community.

Blundell’s, in conjunction with staff, parents and volunteers run an annual School’s One Day Event, taking place on September the 25th, 2022 at Pontispool Equine Sports Centre, Taunton. This is a huge undertaking but this prestigious event attracts riders and Sponsors from all over the South West and has become an annual fixture that we are very proud of.

Blundell's must be one of the oldest fives playing schools in the country, with records going back to 1625. Fives is still played throughout the year, although the majority of school fixtures take place during the Easter term. The school has six Rugby Fives courts which, unlike Eton and Winchester Fives courts, have no buttressing.

Sherborne, King’s Bruton and Clifton College provide the bulk of local opposition although the school team has been known to travel as far afield as Radley, Bloxham and Rossall for tournaments. 2003 saw the first Blundell's Fives Tour to Scotland. School teams enter the National and West of England Tournaments each year. The school also hosts touring Club teams such as Deep West and The Jesters and a number of Old Boys regularly return to use the courts.

All Blundellians, regardless of experience, have access to the Fives courts, which underwent extensive renovations a few years ago. Both gloves and balls are provided by the master in charge and stocked in the school shop.

Football at Blundell’s has often been a popular Spring Term choice, with over 50 students choosing to represent the school across multiple year groups with four senior teams. Blundell’s compete in the ISCA Cup and in friendly matches with local schools and finish the season with the much anticipated fixture against the Old Blundellians. The squads train at least three times a week and have fixtures on either Wednesday or Saturdays, giving us the ability to mix match practice with core skills and drills. The depth of squads gives all students of any ability the chance to represent the school in football.

Golf fixtures are played in all three terms at Blundell’s and pupils can select it as a Games option in the Summer. We enter a number of national competitions, annually attend the WoE Independent Schools Championship at Burnham & Berrow and have recently have joined the Western Schools Golf League. We also have a good relationship with the OB Golf Association who we also play in a friendly match on an annual basis.

Blundell's is one of the few schools in the country to have a dedicated kayak racing team, and the only school to teach ocean racing using surfskis. Students learn to paddle K1 and K2 marathon kayaks, competing in the gruelling 125mile Devizes to Westminster race, consistently performing highly (1st, 2nd or 3rd) in all school classes. We regularly win trophies at the Schools South West and National Championships, and compete in regional club haslers for Exeter Canoe Club. The winter training camp in Tarifa, Spain, is hugely popular, as is surfski paddling out of Exmouth and other south west beaches, achieving our aim to promote independence, teamwork, leadership and organisation.

We aim to offer every single pupil, regardless of whether they wish to compete or not, the opportunity to improve their standard of swimming and to enjoy the sport. Pupils may choose swimming during the Summer Term and we take full advantage of our wonderful 6-lane, 30m outdoor heated pool. Sessions concentrate on speed, stamina and stroke improvement and we aim to give every pupil feedback so that they can achieve their potential. There are separate sessions for Squad swimmers, but all standards of swimmer are welcome. We also offer life-saving skills and water polo training.

The sailing on offer at Blundell’s occurs in the Summer and Autumn term when conditions are more favourable. We welcome all ages and ability levels to the activity which is held on Wednesday afternoons during games time. Currently the activity takes place in Exmouth on the mouth of the estuary. Pupils are able to sail a range of one and two man dinghies and receive both group and individual tuition from the professional RYA instructors at Sail Exmouth. During the sessions, pupils can work towards an appropriate level RYA qualification, log hours if they are aspiring instructors, or simply get out on the water for the fun of it.