Repton already has a rich cricketing heritage, and students continue to excel in the sport.
Since schools reopened following the COVID-19 lockdown, students across the UK have enjoyed the gradual return to normality. Over the last few weeks, young people have been able to see their friends, learn face to face, and enjoy their favourite curricular and extra-curricular activities once again. Now, as summer gets closer, students are looking forward to summer-term timetables that bring them outside, especially those who partake in sports matches.
As one of the most prestigious day and boarding schools in the UK, Repton is widely recognised for its students’ sporting achievements. And, as the cricket season is fast approaching, Repton’s Head Groundsman is preparing the wicket for an exciting term ahead. Having trained 154 first-class players and 11 Test cricketers, three of whom have captained England, the co-independent school has developed a rich cricketing heritage over the years.
But this heritage isn’t purely historical. Repton’s cricket successes continue to flow thanks to unrivalled coaching from Repton’s Head of Prep Cricket Peter Rigney and Director of Cricket Chris Read, who is best known as England’s wicket keeping coach and former England wicket keeper. Last month, The Cricketer even featured the school’s impressive cricket legacy in its Centenary issue.
Repton’s Cricket Alumni
The most famous of Repton’s cricketing alumni is Charles Burgess Fry (C.B. Fry), who studied at Repton from 1885–1891. Fry was both a talented sportsman and an academic, who went on to become a celebrated cricketer, politician, diplomat, academic, teacher, writer, editor, and publisher. Repton now runs the C.B. Fry Scholarship in his name to reward pupils across the UK who work at and excel in all study areas.
Other Repton students who have gone on to pursue cricket careers include Francis Ford, Jack Crawford, Donald Car, and Richard Hutton – though Repton expects female players to join this list soon.
Repton’s Recent Cricket Successes
Last year, Repton celebrated the success of four pupils who secured places in the Derbyshire County Cricket Academy – a prestigious programme offered by one of the UK’s leading clubs.
On top of this, Repton’s U15s and U13s took part in the Lady Taverners Cup cricket county finals, which they entered a year early – and won. Many of these U15 players already compete at county level on both women’s and men’s squads for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Jersey, and Norfolk.
‘We are fortunate to have very ambitious players throughout the Senior and Prep School who are excellent role models to younger or less experienced players, and together we promote the fact that cricket at Repton is for everyone,’ says Mr Read.
Repton’s Cricket Practice
Students of all abilities take part in cricket practice at Repton and have the chance to play in the school’s official teams. These teams compete in national competitions, tackle the challenging schools’ circuit, and play against county age groups and academies. Some Reptonians also compete in global T20 competitions, including the Caribbean Premier League and Pakistan Super League. Reptonians particularly enjoy home matches, where they play in the school’s picturesque grounds in rural Derbyshire. The school even hosts representative cricket matches with teams like Derbyshire CCC and ECB Midlands U15s.
Students partake in competitive matches throughout September before embarking on Repton’s winter cricket programme, during which they practise skill development, tactical awareness, mental preparation, and strength/conditioning training.
Learn more about Repton’s cricket competitions and curriculum.
About Repton School
Over 1,000 students aged 3–18 enjoy studying on Repton’s campus – the site of a 12th century Augustinian Priory – which holds state-of-the-art facilities to complement its array of historic buildings. Some of these facilities include a science priory, music school, purpose-built performance studio, and art school with photography and ceramics workshops. When students aren’t studying in these facilities, they’re partaking in Repton’s extensive sports curriculums, which blend cricket with football, hockey, netball, tennis, swimming, athletics, basketball, cross country, fives, golf, horse riding, rugby, and sailing. The school has dedicated itself to developing sports curriculums that appeal to all interests.
Students enjoy sports practice in the school’s two floodlit water-based AstroTurf hockey pitches, sand-based AstroTurf, 25-metre indoor swimming pool with spectator area, strength and conditioning suite, fitness suite, multi-purpose indoor sports hall, indoor acrylic tennis courts, netball courts, squash courts, and outstanding outdoor grounds. With world-class sports facilities and coaches, it’s no surprise that Repton boasts numerous sporting successes alongside its cricketing heritage.
