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Rugby

A very strong tradition and culture of Rugby exists at Blundell’s.

Rugby has long been a central feature of life at Blundell’s, and a sport in which we have seen significant success. The school’s first competitive fixture was played over 150 years ago, and in the intervening years both current and former pupils have played at the very highest level, including internationally and for the British and Irish Lions. This level of success continues to the present day, and our top teams regularly see significant regional and national success.

We are very proud of this rugby tradition, and of the successes we have seen. However, the Blundell’s rugby ethos is more than simply this. In particular, we pride ourselves on the opportunity and enjoyment that all our pupils will have from playing. We put out a large number of teams for a school our size, and enjoy a very competitive and high-quality fixture list. Girls Rugby is proving more and more popular, and we are continually expanding our girls’ rugby sevens programme, and run holiday training camps to further encourage participation in the sport for girls. In addition, non-contact touch rugby is also proving very popular among the younger age-groups in particular, and further enables us to provide a form of sport to match all levels, abilities and interests.

As a school, we believe fundamentally in providing an environment that is both inspirational and aspirational, which allows individual pupils to discover their own rugby pathway. To facilitate this, Blundell’s rugby concentrates on player development that is pupil centred, which encourages the pupils to enjoy the game and hopefully become life-long enthusiasts at whatever level they engage. We incorporate the 5 core values identified by the RFU into our rugby programme: enjoyment; teamwork; respect; discipline; and sportsmanship.

One element of the Blundell’s rugby programme that helps to provide a pupil centred focus is the fact that the majority of coaching is done by schoolteachers who have a passion for the game and an enthusiasm to play their part in the overall development of the pupils they coach. They do not focus exclusively on the short-term success of our winning performances in competitive matches, but on the progression of players along a much longer time trajectory. The teaching staff’s skill and care are supplemented by professional coaches, who work both with the pupils directly and provide coaching development sessions for the other staff members. In addition, our elite players receive additional support and coaching through our connections with Exeter Chiefs and Taunton Titans.

Blundell’s teams have enjoyed a good deal of success in recent years, winning the International Rosslyn Park Sevens U18s competition and reaching the final of the National Schools Champions Trophy competition in the recent years. Yet we recognise that one of our greatest success stories is the high level of participation that we have amongst our pupils at school, and this is also reflected in the number of pupils who continue playing rugby after leaving school. For many this is for universities and clubs, but it also includes those who have gone onto have professional careers; Jack Maunder (Exeter and England), Matt Kvesic (Exeter, Gloucester, Worcester and England) and Nicola Coffin (Richmond and England) are some recent examples.

Latest News

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Musicians reach National Final

Congratulations to our sixth form group, who have qualified for the national final.

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U18 Girls Rugby Triumph

Our U18's were crowned winners at Millfield 7's tournament.

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Around the World in 80 Minutes

The “Around the World in 80 Minutes” Spring Concert was an event of extraordinary scope and execution, so grand that to say it took the audience on a whirlwind global tour would be an understatement.

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Oxford University success for Freya!

Congratulations Freya!

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1st XV Semi Final Success

Semi Final Success for Blundell's 1st XV!

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Carol Service at Exeter Cathedral

The Carol Service in Exeter Cathedral has consistently been a highlight on the school calendar, and this year proved to be no exception.

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Provisional Choral Scholarships from Somerville College, Oxford

A huge congratulations to Jack and Finn for receiving provisional Choral Scholarship from Somerville College, Oxford.

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Foyle Young Poet of the Year

Congratulations to Freya (Y13) who has won the prestigious award for her work!

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Williams Cup 2023

Year 9 took to Haytor on Dartmoor for the 2023 Williams Cup!

Senior School News