Teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship

At Sutton Valence School, rugby is a central part of school life. It has been played here for over 150 years, making us one of only ten schools in the country with such a long-standing rugby tradition.

Rugby at SVS is more than just a sport. It is a key part of how we help pupils grow into confident, respectful and resilient young people. From ages 6 to 18, rugby instils values that support them not only on the pitch, but also in the classroom and in life beyond school.

A Game for Everyone: Our Rugby programme

We understand that not every pupil will feel confident at the start of the season. As coaching staff, we encourage all students to engage and enjoy what rugby has to offer. All our rugby sessions use games-based learning, which helps players of all levels develop through match-like scenarios. This approach supports skills like communication, awareness and decision-making.

At SVS we offer the following four codes of Rugby:

· T1/Touch Rugby is aimed at our Junior Development Group. It offers a fast, non-contact format that focuses on movement, space and enjoyment.

· Girls Rugby will be offered to Year 2, First, Second and Third Form girls this year in activity slots. We intend to offer fixtures as soon as possible.

· Contact Rugby Block Fixtures are played against a range of local schools throughout the Michaelmas term. These are well-matched games that build skills, teamwork and game understanding. In 2020 and again in 2022 our 1st XV were finalists in the National Vase.

· Rugby Sevens is played in the Lent term by selected players. This fast-paced code develops decision-making and fitness. In recent years, our Under 18 boys have proudly won the Kent Wilf Hawkins Cup.

Hosted by us:

· U10 Rugby Festival

· Kent U16 7s tournament

· Saracens pre-season camp for U11-U16 (last week of August)

Player Welfare: Safety is Our Priority

The safety and wellbeing of every pupil is the foundation of our rugby programme. We follow best practices at every level to ensure that players are looked after and confident.

· Contact rugby is introduced gradually and safely, especially in pre-season.

· Coaches are trained in the latest tackle technique guidance from England Rugby.

· The Activate warm-up programme is used to reduce injury risks and improve physical readiness.

· A clear injury management process is in place, supported by either on-site physiotherapy assessments or Return2play assessments where appropriate.

· All matches have medical staff present and we ensure away fixtures meet our medical and safeguarding expectations.

School rugby is not the same as the professional game. The level of contact and collision is significantly lower. Our fixture list is tailored to be age-appropriate and development-focused.

Building Character and Confidence

Rugby helps develop the qualities we value most in our pupils.

· Competence is built through structured coaching and achievable targets.

· Connection is nurtured through shared goals and team support.

· Confidence grows as pupils make decisions, develop resilience and take pride in their efforts.

Every player, regardless of their level, gains something meaningful from their rugby journey.

A Proven Pathway

Sutton Valence School has a track record of guiding players to the highest level. In the last five rugby seasons, we have produced four England Under 18 rugby internationals.

This level of success is supported by expert coaching, access to high-quality facilities and strong partnerships with external rugby organisations including Saracens and Kent Rugby.

This pathway is visible throughout the prep and senior school, events such as the

150 Years of Pride and Progress

Rugby has shaped life at Sutton Valence for generations. While we honour our heritage, we continue to move forward, using rugby as a platform to teach life skills that last well beyond school.

Through rugby, our pupils learn teamwork, leadership, resilience and humility. Whether they play at a high level or simply enjoy the game with friends, every student benefits.

We believe that rugby helps young people grow into their best selves. Supported by their peers and grounded in strong values, they leave SVS ready for whatever lies ahead.