• St Marys College
• Our Mission
• Pastoral
• Academic
• Music
• Arts
• Sport
• Extra Curricular

Sporting excellence is encouraged through a diverse range of activities under the supervision of qualified staff. The College grounds provide the space for major team games as well as more specialised field activities. We firmly believe in the physical, social and educational value of sport in schools, and encourage students to aim for a personal best performance. This stresses the need to show respect for others, for the highest standards of sportsmanship and a sense of fair play.

The College is strongly represented at city, county, national and international level in many sports, yet students of all abilities have the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. Sports are seen as a medium for personal development, teamwork, leadership, self-control and initiative. These form essential transferable skills for future life.

The curriculum is designed to give all students a wide range of experience in the major skill areas. It also encourages an independent approach to improving and maintaining personal fitness, and, through Health Related Fitness, promotes an understanding of the relationship between exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

St Mary’s has a long and impressive sporting tradition. Teams from Years 7-11 compete with distinction in city football, cross country, table tennis, cricket, athletics and swimming, as well as in county and regional events. There is a House System which facilitates internal competition in the major sports, and there are some class and individual events too.

The sports department is fortunate to have the dedicated support of staff from other departments who give their time willingly, often during lunchtimes and after school, to run teams and organise events and fixtures. Several staff are active on the various Southampton Schools Sports Committees and have close links with local sports clubs. College facilities are also used to stage City Schools’ events and matches. 

Our sporting tradition has helped many past students to go on to achieve sporting success. These include Derek Kenway for Hampshire County Cricket Club, Neal McDonald, who is a top Ocean Racing skipper, and Simon Rodhouse, a Commonwealth and Olympic competitor at shot. In football, ex-Saints players John Sydenham, Nick Holmes, Ian Baird and Kevin Dawtry were St Mary’s students. Andy Surman, who now plays for Saints, was in fact a recent captain of our Year 11 football team. Joe Keenan, another former student, is currently playing in Holland and has captained England Under 20s, scoring the first senior goal in a competitive match at the St Mary’s stadium.