Boys' Major Games
Boys follow a traditional structure of rugby, hockey and cricket in their respective terms and receive three coaching sessions a week. The majority of competitive matches are on a Saturday afternoon, but are complemented with some mid-week fixtures. All boys are actively encouraged to take part in these and in House matches each term.
Culford’s Senior games programme is structured by year group:
Fourth Form (Year 9)
Monday afternoon, Wednesday Morning and Thursday during activities.
Lower Fifth (Year 10)
Tuesday afternoon, Thursday morning and Thursday during activities.
Upper Fifth to Upper Sixth (Years 11 to 13)
Tuesday morning, Thursday afternoon and Monday during activities.
This structure ensures that the quality of teaching and coaching is consistent for each year group as highly qualified, specialist teachers are available together with a number of outstanding professional coaches. There is a real emphasis on skill development throughout the age groups enabling players to make the most the opportunities that arise. Culford strongly supports the local district and regional representative structure and boys regularly represent Suffolk and the Eastern Counties in all the major games.
Rugby Union
• Rugby is the major game of the autumn term and the coaching programme is further enhanced by a strong partnership with Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club. This provides additional specialised coaching and the opportunity for boys to continue their rugby development in the Spring, at the Club, under the direction of the Bury’s 1st XV coach.
• The season begins with a residential pre-season training camp including a competitive match.
• From January, strength and conditioning is combined with skill development to ensure a high quality year-round rugby programme.
• A strong tradition of touring is well established and the Senior XV embark on overseas tours each year.
Hockey
• From September the all-weather Astro pitch is used one night a week in order to maintain the hockey programme.
• From January the outstanding indoor facilities allow Culford’s hockey players prepare for the forthcoming season through indoor skill sessions and competitive match play.
• The annual tour to Holland is a first class hockey experience and the boys benefit from both the focused training and competitive experience.
• Culford have welcomed Bury hockey club to use the school as a training base; this has provided a clear pathway for all pupils to experience the benefits of a first class junior club coaching programme.
Cricket
• Culford has excellent cricket facilities with arguably one of the most picturesque grounds in East Anglia. This is complemented with superb indoor and outdoor net facilities.
• The coaching team is further enhanced with a cricket professional each summer to provide specific support to the team players.
• The ‘Futures’ cricket scheme begins in September and provides both good school players and aspiring County cricketers with individual analysis coaching by a Level 3 ECB coach.
• Winter nets begin in January for the Senior sides in preparation for the competitive season.