Sport
Sport plays an important part in the life of the school. Birkdale seeks to enable each pupil to pursue their chosen sport to the highest level whilst providing all members of the school community with the opportunity to enjoy and experience a variety of different physical activities.
The school aims to promote participation and enjoyment for all pupils and to create an environment for each individual to reach their potential.
The main sports for boys in the first two terms are Rugby Union, Hockey and Football with Cricket and Tennis becoming the main focuses in the summer term.
The main sports for girls in the sixth form in the first two terms are Netball and Hockey, with Rounders and Cricket taking place in the summer term.
In most of these sports, A and B teams are put out from S1 (U12) to U6 (U18) in order to allow pupils to represent the school in a competitive environment at their appropriate ability level. In order to run these teams, the PE department are well supported by other Academic Staff.
There is a comprehensive fixture list of matches that take place on Saturday mornings and midweek against other independent and local schools for each of the main sports and in many of the other sports offered at Birkdale.
In recent years, many of our teams have enjoyed success at district and county level competition. Individually, our pupils have earned county and national selection in Cricket, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Rugby Union, Table Tennis and Tennis.
Opportunity for All
All pupils, regardless of ability, have the opportunity to get involved in a variety of sporting activities and exercise that Birkdale has to offer.
Other sporting opportunities available to pupils include; Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, Climbing (S4-U6), Cross-Country, Golf, Health Related Exercise, Pilates (Sixth Form), Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weight Training and Volleyball.
Inter-House competitions are held in most of the sports listed above, including our annual Swimming Gala and Sports Day, maximising the opportunities for those pupils who wish to participate and represent their House in a positive environment.
Sports tours are inclusive and take place across different age groups in our main sports. Recent tours include Cricket to the UAE, Football to Spain, Hockey to Holland and Rugby Union to Canada.
Facilities
As well as boasting our own 30 acre playing fields and Sports Hall, we also use a variety of different sporting venues around Sheffield in order to provide the best opportunities for our pupils to participate and excel in a variety of different sports.
Main School Site
- 30m Sports Hall with multi-use floor:
- Badminton Courts x 4
- Basketball Court
- Volleyball Court
- Indoor 5-a-side Football pitch
- Table Tennis Tables
- Weight Training Room
Castle Dyke Playing Fields
- 30 acres of grass fields:
- Rugby pitches x 8 (Senior and Prep)
- Football pitches x 10 (Senior and Prep)
- Cricket squares x 2 (Grass and Astro)
- Multi-use Astro area:
- Cricket nets x 10
- Football area
- Hockey area
- Pavilion
- Changing rooms x 10
- Medical rooms x 2
- Viewing and refreshment area
- Catering for fixtures
- Parking facilities
Other Venues
- Abbeydale Sports Club (Hockey)
- English Institute of Sport (Basketball, Badminton, Netball and Sports Day)
- Ponds Forge International Centre (Swimming lessons and Swimming Gala)
- Goodwin Sports Centre, Sheffield University (Swimming lessons)
- Concord Sports Centre & Springs Leisure Centre (Badminton)
- The Foundry Centre & Climbing Works (Indoor Climbing)
The Peak District National Park (Outdoor Climbing)