Cricket is a major sport for boys and girls in Trinity Term, along with a full winter programme all year. It is led by Head of Cricket Mr Eddie Ballard, formally of Surrey CCC, MCC, Hertfordshire CCC & Cambridgeshire CCC and the current Head Coach of Bedfordshire CCC. Mr Ballard is an ECB Level Three Performance Coach with a degree in Physical Education & Sports Coaching. New Hall’s Cricket Professional is former Essex CCC & England and current Northamptonshire cricketer Ravi Bopara.

Facilities

New Hall has four cricket squares with our 1^st XI (“Six Acres”) set with the stunning backdrop of the main School building. This area also has the main pavilion as well as four state of the art fixed outdoor nets and two batting cages. The School and its students also benefit from four indoor cricket lanes and fielding/fitness space in our multi-purpose Sports Hall. The School has great links with many external organisations including Essex CCC, and has used the facilities at the County Ground in Chelmsford and the MCC indoor school at Lord’s Cricket Ground to further enhance our cricketing programme.

Fixtures and Competitions

Fixtures take place during midweek games sessions and on Saturdays with a comprehensive fixture list for all age groups and abilities throughout the Trinity Term for boys and girls. We aim to ensure each team has a challenging fixture programme that will allow pupils to compete against some of the best teams in the region. As a school we play over 190 fixtures per term against schools such as Felsted, Forest, Brentwood, Chigwell, Haileybury and Bishops Stortford College to name a few. Teams are entered into the Essex County and National Cups at U12, U13, U14, U15, U17 and 1st XI level. We also enter the ISA National Competition at U13 & U15 for both boys and girls. The 1st XI has one of the largest fixture cards in the country and they play a mixture of Twenty20, 40-over, and 2-day cricket, which the gives those at the top end of school a broad cricketing experience. At the end of the term the 1st XI play against MCC before competing at the annual Castle Festival.

Girls Cricket

We are ever evolving our Girls Cricket provision with the addition of an all year programme, a cricket option for girls at Years 7-10, during their games sessions, and year on year the number of fixtures our girls are playing is increasing. Our U13 & U15 teams compete in the Lady Tavener’s indoor competition during the winter, and during the season compete in numerous festivals and tournaments, including the ISA National, County Cups and Festivals.

Tours

Over the past 10 years, we have enjoyed tours within both the UK and abroad. As of 2023 we embark on a new touring structure for both girls and boys.

Stage 1:

U13 Boys & Girls teams (Year 8) UK overnight tour to Norfolk

Stage 2:

U14 & U15 Boys & Girls (Year 9&10) tournament in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Stage 3:

1st XI Long-haul tour to various destinations (South Africa, Sri Lanka, Caribbean)

Winter Academy

The Winter Training programme is designed to give cricketers, across a range of ages and abilities, ample opportunity to develop their basic skill level through to game awareness and management.

The Programme is split up into four groups:

Senior Academy – Those players who are identified to be at the top of their age groups at U15+

Development Squad – Those players who will be representing 1^st XI / 2^nd XI

Junior Academy – Those players who have been identified to be the top of their age groups at U12-U14

Girls Academy –Those players who have been identified to be the top of their age groups across all ages

Achievements

• U12 Essex County Cup Winners: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017
• U13 Essex County Cup Winners: 2017 & 2018
• U13 ESCA David English National Cup Runners Up: 2016
• U14 Essex County Cup Winners: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 & 2019
• U15 Essex County Cup T20 Winners: 2014, 2015, 2017 & 2018
• U15 English Schools National T20 Regional Runners Up: 2018
• U17 School Sports National Cup Regional Champions: 2019
• 1stXI: Castle Festival Winners: 2015 and 2016 (Joint Winners), 2019
• 1stXI: HMC National T20 Regional Runners Up: 2019
• U14 County Cup Winners: 2024
• U13 ISA National Boys Winners: 2024
• U13 ISA National Girls Runners Up: 2024
• U15 ISA National Girls Winners: 2024
• U17 National Plate T20 Regional Runners Up: 2024

As a School, we have over 30 boys and girls playing Essex County Age Group Cricket or National age group. Our boys and girls programme has gone from strength to strength in more recent years with success within both Essex and Nationally which both include a full touring structure.

For queries please email Mr E Ballard, Head of Cricket at [email protected]

Instagram: @newhallcricket

Co-curricular Riding Lessons

New Hall provides students with the opportunity to participate in weekly horse-riding lessons at Runningwell Equestrian Centre in Rettendon, as part of our co-curricular programme. Lessons are in small groups, based on ability and age of riders.  A range of well cared for school horses and ponies are used for lessons ranging from lead rein ponies to ex-competition horses.

Equestrian Team

For those students who own their own horse(s), there are a wide range of competitions in which they may compete for New Hall.  The majority of these take place in Essex and Suffolk and include: eventing, dressage, show jumping, jumping with style, hunter trials and triathlon.

New Hall has a thriving equestrian team which competes, throughout the year, at many NSEA Inter-School events, in all disciplines, including our own NSEAShow Jumping Qualifier in show jumping and dressage.  For a number of years, our Equestrian team has qualified for the National Schools’ Equestrian Association Championships and has entered teams for the National Show Jumping Championships at Addington Manor.

New Hall also competes at local inter-school competitions, which can cater for more novice riders and are a great way for new members to get involved in team activities.

For enquiries, please email [email protected]

Instagram: @newhallriding

Golf at New Hall School is growing every year as it is becoming an increasingly popular sport for boys and girls throughout the academic year.  With golf being a popular choice in games lessons as well as co-curriculum, we have our academy which specialises in developing students into elite players. We have a fantastic team around the students to work on improving their golfing ability and performance. The team is made up of two PGA professional coaches and a golf-specific strength and condition TPI instructor.

Facilities

New for 2020 we have twelve golf nets built on-site which allows us to give lessons for all year groups from the Prep Divisions to the Sixth Form. Another part to the golf nets is the use of a launch monitor called SkyTrak, this allows us to gather critical data on the golf swing/ball to focus in on performance areas in the modern technical way of coaching.

All teams play home fixtures at the Chelmsford Golf Club. The Junior golfers use Little Channels Golf Club during academy sessions. Co-Curricular activities take place on site at our twelve golf nets.

Fixtures and Competitions

Fixtures and tournaments for all age groups take place during midweek games sessions for those who have been selected to represent the School. We aim to ensure that each team or individual has a challenging fixture programme that will allow them to compete against some of the best teams in the country. National match play fixtures are played regularly against schools in the same county, which lead to National Finals held at some of the most prestigious golf courses in the UK.

New Hall enters several of the Independent Schools Golf Association (ISGA) National one-day tournaments at U19 level. Below are many events which we compete in throughout the year:

• ISGA British schools Matchplay (National finalist 2020 and South East champions 2020)
• ISGA British schools’ foursomes
• ISGA HG Trophy
• ISGA Schools cup (National finalist 2019)
• Essex schools match play & stroke play (represented Essex in national finals.
• ESGA schools’ event (all age categories)
• Junior European open (individual)

South East Area Winners – National finalists 2020

Academy & Coaching

Golf coaching takes place in senior games sessions, co-curricular after school clubs and in the academy. Students are taught by two PGA professionals on-site at our golf nets or Little Channels golf club (located 5 minutes from the New Hall). As well as our golf coaches, we also have Mr Longden who is a TPI golf-specific fitness coach, Mr Longden works closely with the students on golf-specific exercises and stretching.

In the academy, we have developed an individual golf programme that each student will embark on. The programme looks at how each student will prepare for their practice session on a Friday, which will allow each of them to plan, execute and evaluate how their practice session was. It also includes data collecting of statistics, both on and off the course. Through this, each student will be able to look at their overall results and see where they are making improvements and where they need to improve.

Tours

Both the Junior and Senior Golf Teams have toured several times over the last five years, entering the ISGA Scottish Opens in Edinburgh and receiving golf coaching at England’s National Golf Centre at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. In April 2023, the Golf Academy travelled to Spain.

Instagram: @newhallgolf_

Hockey is the major sport for girls and boys in the Michaelmas and Lent Terms respectively. At New Hall, the Hockey philosophy is to learn and have fun, while developing and nurturing a competitive spirit in our players.

Facilities
New Hall has two all-weather floodlit AstroTurf pitches. Our facilities also include a Sports Hall to develop indoor hockey throughout the year, as well as a fully-equipped Fitness Suite and national standard 400m running track for training and conditioning.

Fixtures & Competitions
Fixtures take place during midweek Games sessions and on Saturdays with a comprehensive fixture list for all age groups and abilities. We aim to ensure that each team has a challenging fixture programme enabling students to compete against some of the best teams in the area. Block fixtures are played regularly against other top schools for Hockey in the county. Every year, we enter into the ISA Nationals (U12A, U13A, U15A, U18A), England Schools Cup (U14A, U15A, U16A, U18A) and the Essex Schools Cup (U14A, U16A).

Tours
Girls in all age groups throughout the school take part in our hockey tour programme. Every other year, a 5-day tour within Europe is offered for all Hockey players in Years 9 & 10, the two most recent ones visiting Holland and Belgium. An opportunity for a long-haul tour comes every three years for students in Years 11-13, the most recent being to South Africa in 2023 with the netball and rugby teams. Year 8 girls and boys attend the Greshams 3-day festival every year at the end of the Lent Term.

Netball at New Hall is a thriving sport where students have the opportunity to train and play competitively in both the Michaelmas and Lent terms. During the Lent term, there are Saturday and mid-week fixtures for all age groups, from U12 to 1^st VII Senior teams.

The flood-lit netball courts at New Hall are extensive and of the best quality. There are eight available for lessons and tournaments, set within a walled area and with access to changing rooms and toilets. They are frequently hired by the Chelmsford and District clubs in the evenings and at weekends; our historical grounds make them a pleasure to play on.

During the netball term there are fixtures every week for the different age groups, with more than 10 staff helping and providing support for the teams. Any student interested in netball would see tournaments available for U10 and U11 age groups against 14 or more schools at Preparatory level. This includes an annual tournament which has been held at New Hall for over 40 years. The CESSSA tournaments are held annually which each year group enters with the winners crowned district champions. During the Michaelmas term, our Netball Academy teams compete in Independent National Schools, England National Schools and Essex Cup competitions. Finally each year group also takes part in an interhouse competition at the end of the Lent term.

Netball players at New Hall are fortunate to participate in a number of sports tours: The Year 9 & 10 netball teams travel to La Manga bi-annually to take part in fixtures against overseas schools, many of whom play a different style of netball. On this trip they also have the opportunity to be coached by current Super league and England Roses players. A long haul tour is scheduled every three years for pupils in Years 11,12 and 13, with the last being a combined hockey, rugby and netball tour to South Africa in August 2023. There are also opportunities for all players to attend Super league fixtures as well as England Test matches.

The Academy allows the best players at the school to train all year round through additional invite only lunchtime and afterschool practices. Students who compete are encouraged to attend trials for the England Netball pathways which includes satellite, county and regional academies. Alongside this, they can also attend trials for local Super League franchisees including London Pulse, Saracens Mavericks and Surrey Storm.

Instagram: @newhallnetball

Rugby is the main sport played by boys at New Hall in the Michaelmas Term with the majority of fixtures taking place on Saturdays. There is an extensive rugby programme in place for all age groups.  Players train at least twice a week. As the students progress through the School, the strength and conditioning aspect of rugby is highlighted with specific sessions run during the week in conjunction with the rugby programme to maximise the development of the students. To accompany this, the students also have a games session every week in which they could also have cup matches or additional training.

Rugby Sevens is played during the Lent Term and teams will compete in both county and national tournaments. Many of these tournaments take place on Sundays.

The Trinity Term sees the start of the Rugby Skills School and the Rugby Academy. The Skills School runs at lunchtime for positional specific skills and Friday after school for the players selected for the Rugby Academy. We have appearances from guest coaches and it is a great opportunity for the students to keep in form over the Trinity Term while working on some very technical aspects of the game.

The School is a Saracens partnership school and we have many of our students playing within the Saracens Essex DPP and another significant number in the DPG and Elite Development Player Groups. We currently have two New Hallians who are contracted professionals with the club – Dominic Morris and Joshua Hallett.

Facilities

New Hall has five grass rugby pitches and a recently laid 3G rugby pitch which provides our students with an opportunity to play and train throughout the season, our fantastic facilities enable us to host two Rugby tournaments along with various Essex County 7s tournaments.

Fixtures and Competitions

The majority of rugby fixtures are completed on Saturdays with a comprehensive and challenging fixture list for all age groups and abilities. Block fixtures currently include such schools as The Perse, Ipswich, Eltham, Felsted and Merchant Taylors.

Our teams are entered into the U14 and U16 Essex Cup and the U15 and 1^st XV NatWest Cup. In recent years, the School has reached the last 32 in the country on two occasions and the last 16 once.

Our U16 and U14 Rugby Sevens teams have also reach the Final and Semi-Final of the prestigious National Rosslyn Park Sevens tournament.

New Hall School Concussion Policy | PDF

RFU Return to Play After Concussion Guidance | PDF

The New Hall Ski Team is an integral part of the School’s sport provision. Since its formation, the Ski Team has ranked highly in regional, national and international races. New Hall is regarded as one of the top skiing schools in the country, with team members regularly invited to English Schools’ Ski Association (ESSKIA) camps and squads, and individual team members representing Great Britain at youth championships and world cups.

With nearly 60 current team members, the New Hall Ski Team has competed in a wide range of races. These include races held in the United Kingdom on both dry slopes and indoor slopes such as the Independent Schools Association race and Eastern Region Snowsports Association race. Internationally, the team competes in the prestigious British Schoolgirls’ Races in Flaine, France, the British Schoolboys’ Races in Wengen, Switzerland, and most notably, the British Interschools Ski Challenge which New Hall won both in 2022 and 2023.

Training takes place every Sunday during term-time at the Brentwood Ski Centre, under the guidance of external ski providers. Our athletes receive comprehensive support throughout their ski racing careers, progressing from grassroots to Youth Olympic and World Championship levels. Additionally, members benefit from a training camp organised by our external providers, designed to offer intensive real-snow training in preparation for the competitive winter season.

The New Hall Ski Team welcomes all competent skiers from Year 3 onwards, providing an inclusive and supportive environment for budding athletes. The team has grown significantly in size and ability since its inception, offering some fantastic opportunities for skiers wanting to develop their racing skills. For further enquiries, please email [email protected]

Instagram: @newhallski

Swimming at New Hall provides students of all ages with the opportunity to learn, improve and compete throughout the academic year.

Swimmers at New Hall are able to benefit from the school’s exceptional 25-metre, 6-lane indoor swimming pool. Our facilities also include a state of the art fitness suite to enhance the whole development of the athlete.

Fixtures take place after school, mainly on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with a comprehensive fixture list for all age groups throughout the academic year. We aim to ensure each team has a challenging fixture programme that will allow pupils to compete against some of the best swimmers in the area. Block fixtures are played regularly against schools such as Bancroft’s, Bishop’s Stortford College, Brentwood School, Felsted School, Forest School and Ipswich High.

Teams are entered into the English Schools Divisional Rounds. 2016 will see a new fixture, The Bath & Otter Cup, during which New Hall will compete against 150 schools at the London Aquatics Centre.

We participate within the Mid Essex League which gives us an opportunity to utilise a wider range of swimmers.

A programme is set for all age groups throughout the school. We are hoping to offer an overseas training camp in the future using Olympic pool facilities.

Squad sessions are run throughout our academic terms catering for our top achieving pupils within the sport. The training also develop pupils as athletes looking at strength and conditioning, nutrition and the mental aspects of elite competition.

Instagram: @newhallswim

Tennis is a major sport for both girls and boys, with county and national competitions being entered each year. Throughout the School there are a number of county players, many of who compete at regional, national and international level.

Students are offered the opportunity to improve their tennis skills through group lessons, games lessons and private tennis tuition. The more advanced students are selected to represent the School in fixtures and also to attend New Hall Tennis Academy sessions on a weekly basis. The lessons are led by our Head of Tennis, Mr Beesley and delivered by our team of experienced LTA Accredited coaches.

Facilities

Students have the chance to develop their tennis skills in a unique setting. New Hall tennis facilities include 10 floodlit hard courts that are used all year round. In the Trinity Term, an additional 12 floodlit AstroTurf courts are also used.

Fixtures and Competitions

Fixtures take place during midweek sport afternoons and on Saturday mornings, with a comprehensive fixture list for all age groups and abilities throughout the Trinity Term for both girls and boys. We have regular block fixtures against schools such as Bancroft’s School, Culford, Felsted School, The Leys and Sevenoaks.

Teams are also entered into local and national competitions, which include the LTA Youth Schools Senior Students competition, LTA Youth Schools competition at both U13 and U15 level, the prestigious Glanville and Aberdare Cup competition, the Independent Schools League and Independent Schools National Championships, which are held annually at Eton College. In 2018, three of our Senior students travelled to Marrakech, where they represented England at the World School Summer Games. They finished 9^th, 16^th and 22^nd in the world. In 2019, our Senior Girls finished 6^th in the UK at the Senior Students National Finals held at Bolton Arena. In 2021 our Girls first team came 6^th in the UK in the Aberdare National Cup held at Nottingham Tennis Centre.

Tours and Trips

The Tennis Team prepares for the summer season by training overseas. Previous trips include the La Manga Club and Val de Lobo Tennis Academy. Easter 2018 saw the team travel to the Barcelona Tennis Academy for a week of intense training ahead of the summer season. The team trained on the Spanish red clay and competed against Catalunya Tennis Academy and ATHTC. There is also an annual trip to Wimbledon for students to watch the professionals in action.

Academy

The New Hall Tennis Academy is designed to appeal to players of county to national standard who show a high level of commitment towards their tennis, whilst allowing them to participate in academic life in the School.

At New Hall, we understand that achieving high level success in the sport becomes increasingly difficult as students progress through their academic studies. High levels of educational achievement are important, both for the individual and the continued success of the School. The Academy allows New Hall to offer a high standard of education whilst still meeting the needs of high performing tennis players. We aim to become one of the top national tennis schools, helping to produce players of a national and international level.

The Tennis Academy has an extensive coaching programme, allowing for individual, paired and group lessons. Additionally, our tennis scholars have the opportunity to access Redbridge Sports Centre as part of our high-performance link with Compete Tennis.

Please email our Head of Tennis, Mr Jakes, via [email protected] if you have any other queries or would like to find out more.