Perse sports students celebrate successful Lent half term
The Lent Half Term has proven an exciting period across our Sports programme, with pupils from all age groups demonstrating impressive progress, determination and team spirit.
Participation across the School has been outstanding: more than 80 pupils have represented The Perse in badminton, over 50 have played competitive basketball, and more than 350 have been involved in boys’ hockey, with a similar number participating in girls’ netball. Our rugby teams have also produced impressive efforts and results. The scale of engagement reflects the strength and depth of sport within our School community.
Basketball
Basketball has seen excellent momentum. Our 1st team remain unbeaten in 2026 and now look ahead to their final fixtures and the end-of-season tournament at Culford in May.
Our U16 boys team progressed to the knock-out stages of the National Schools Cup before being defeated by a strong Chauncy side, and will now refocus on the Cambridgeshire Schools Tournament after half term.
Both our U14 mixed team and our U16 girls are preparing for upcoming fixtures and aiming to make their mark in the county competitions.
A highlight of the term was a trip for 43 pupils to the SLB Trophy Finals on 1 February, where they enjoyed high-quality men’s and women’s games as well as an exciting slam dunk contest.
Boys Hockey
It has also been an impressive term for boys’ hockey. Our U12s were crowned County Champions after conceding just one goal throughout the tournament and will now represent Cambridgeshire at the East Region Finals. Our U13s finished fourth at their county competition, while our U14s continue an excellent Tier 1 Cup run with only one loss recorded this season.
Our U16s have shown notable resilience in the Tier 1 England Hockey Cup and look forward to their group play-offs next term, having developed significantly over their recent matches. Our 1st Team finished 2nd in their Tier 1 Cup competition and progress to the national playoffs among the top eight schools in the country.
Our U14s also progressed to round 3 of their national cup competition after beating Gresham’s. Across the programme, boys have embraced the opportunity to represent the school and grow their game, contributing to the exceptionally high number of pupils involved this term.
Netball
Netball teams across the school delivered strong performances at the Regional Finals. Our U14s competed confidently to finish 5th in their pool, pushing several top teams in tightly contested fixtures and producing excellent attacking play.
Our U16 squad secured 4th place with impressive wins over St Joseph’s, Redbourne and Norwich High, showing sharp decision-making and great cohesion.
Our U19s also performed superbly, finishing 5th with notable victories against Brentwood School and USP Palmers, and producing very close matches against Ipswich and Samuel Whitbread. For many senior players, the tournament marked a rewarding culmination of their years in school netball.
Friendly fixtures across the programme have ensured that netball remains one of the most widely participated-in sports at the school, contributing significantly to the large number of pupils taking part this term.
Cross Country
Alongside team sports, the School has also celebrated success in cross country. Several pupils were selected to represent Cambridgeshire in county events, showcasing grit and superb endurance. A number of individuals across different year groups have also produced standout performances at the highest levels of competition, reflecting both their talent and the commitment they bring to their training.
Badminton
In badminton, our Perse A Mixed Team built on their successful Michaelmas campaign and were promoted to Division 1 of the Cambridge League for the Lent Term. They have since faced a series of challenging matches that have tested their development and improved their consistency.
Our Women’s Team also continue to excel, currently sitting at the top of Division 1. Younger age groups have enjoyed competitive fixtures too, with our U18s securing strong wins over Bishop’s Stortford and Abbey College Cambridge, while the U16s played positive matches against Stephen Perse and King’s Ely.
Rugby
Our U15 Boys Rugby Team have stormed their way into the National Bowl Semi-Finals after a thrilling 26–24 victory over Harrogate Grammar School. In a fiercely contested match that demonstrated remarkable determination, resilience and superb skill from both sides, our boys demonstrated exceptional teamwork and character, with both teams displaying commendable sportsmanship throughout.
This hard-earned win sees the squad progress to the National Semi-Finals, which will take place next half term.
As we look ahead to the second half of term, pupils across all sports are excited for the opportunities and challenges ahead, including Rugby 7s tournaments, the later stages of national competitions, and the OPs’ Sports Festival. Their hard work, progress and enthusiasm have set a fantastic foundation for the remainder of the term.