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Sport engenders a healthy body and mind which go hand in hand

Sport

Here at QM we offer a wide variety of Sport enrichment activities to get involved in, whatever your level of experience or ability.

At the heart of a QM education is a love of learning which is supported by a healthy body and healthy mind. With a reputation for being a first-class sporting school, there are opportunities to play a wide variety of sports and be part of a strong team every day. QM is unique in that girls play three winter team games - Lacrosse, Hockey and Netball, simultaneously. This means that there is a very strong culture of involvement in team games by girls at all levels of the School. QM offers a vast range of sports and activities to nurture every girl’s physical and mental wellbeing, from Swimming and Tennis to Personal Training and Riding.

Facilities include an impressive indoor heated swimming pool which is located in the Sports Hall and is 25m long by 13m wide. With a shallow end of 1m and reaching a depth of 2.5m, the pool is used for Swimming lessons, Water Polo, Aqua Aerobics, pool parties, lifeguard training and more. An Outdoor Pool is also available during the Summer Term.

Netball Courts, new AstroTurf and Sport pitches create a fantastic all-weather outdoor sport facility for students. With two onsite sets of Tennis Courts within the grounds, girls can enjoy individual, pair or small group Tennis lessons. QM’s Sports Hall is a vast space, suitable for all manner of indoor sports and housing its own Cardio Suite. Squash courts are also available. QMFit is an outside fitness trail providing a full body workout with age-appropriate equipment - the aim being to encourage students to make the most of the School’s beautiful grounds, creating a healthy mindset along the way.

Sport Activities

Omnikin Squad

A sport like no other with the biggest ball of all!

Each team must try to catch and control the ball as it's served before it hits the floor. A match starts off with an offensive team calling out “OMNIKIN!” and then calling out the colour of another team. The ball is then hit inside the court with a body part above the hips.

Cricket

An iconic British sport, there's no better way to learn cricket than with QM's new Director of Sport Rachel Hildreth. Miss Hildreth has a wealth of experience in the sport and its education, developed from a background in professional Yorkshire cricket and, most recently, a post as the NCS coordinator for the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation.

Badminton

Badminton Club is open to all ages and is an opportunity for girls to come along and have a go, whether it be competitively or socially.

Badminton Club is also an opportunity for those who wish to refine their skills to get some extra coaching in order to improve their own individual game. There is opportunity during sessions to play against many different girls, all are welcome.

Personal Training

Personal Training is available to all girls at QM from Year III. The sessions, which are available at an additional charge, provide holistic health and fitness strategies that are tailored to individual needs.

The philosophy behind Personal Training at QM is to motivate and inspire the girls to take the necessary steps and accountability towards a healthier lifestyle. This is achieved through the delivery of supervised fitness programmes, ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to achieve her own personal health and fitness goals.

The School has a specially designed Personal Training studio, from which the girls are offered professional coaching and guidance in many key areas of health related fitness including sports performance conditioning, nutrition and weight management strategies, strength development, movement stabilisation and metabolic conditioning.

Students can have individual, pair or small group Personal Training sessions delivered throughout the year that are designed to fit with and complement their academic life. They do not need to be sporty to participate, but instead simply want to commit to the development of their personal health and fitness.

Hockey

Hockey is taught to Years I-IV in the curriculum throughout both the Autumn and Spring terms. Fixtures take place throughout the week and on Saturdays. Girls in Years V - UVI are encouraged to play in our Senior 1st XI team and 2nd XI team, representing the school in both fixtures and national competitions.

QM’s Hockey Club is an opportunity available from Year I upwards. Training sessions take place throughout the week, both at lunchtimes and in enrichment times. As ability develops, and if selected, girls have the opportunity to represent York in the Yorkshire Youth Leagues.

Girls can also attend the North Yorkshire Hockey Development Programme at an additional cost. This is a great opportunity for students to enhance their hockey skills and, if successful, to represent North Yorkshire Hockey.

Swimming

QM’s Swimming Club runs twice a week, including Saturday morning. Lanes are allocated and there are a mix of abilities, ranging from those training for maximum performance in competitive events to those wishing to make use of the pool as part of an overall fitness programme. Girls from all year groups swim together during the club, making it an excellent opportunity for integration of all ages.

Tennis

Tennis Coaching allows girls to have individual, pair or small group tennis lessons throughout the year, at an additional charge. Head of Racquets Karen Mitchell has the highest level of coaching qualification (LTA Level 5) and she has huge levels of experience in both playing and coaching. Mrs Mitchell was also recently awarded a Meritorious Service Award by the LTA in recognition of her outstanding services to playing, coaching, developing coaches and players, and managing the Yorkshire County Performance Programme. Karen is supported by Jaime Costa who has the LTA Level 4 coaching qualification

Designed to fit around a student’s academic lessons, coaching ensures an all-year Tennis programme at the School. The aim is to improve girls in every aspect of the game, not only in skills but also in the discipline and etiquette of Tennis. The development of skills provides students with the opportunity to enjoy the game throughout their lives, for both the competitive and social aspects of the game.

Netball

Netball is taught from Year I upwards in both the autumn and spring term. Each year group is represented by teams allowing plenty of opportunities for players to compete against other schools, colleges, and universities, with matches taking place during the week and on Saturday afternoons. To further improve Netball skills, a lunchtime and afterschool club is offered to refine skills and practice.

The QM Mavericks Netball Club allows students to experience Netball outside of School. Available from Year V through to UVI, this is a great opportunity to play club netball within the York & District area. Talented Year IV girls may also be invited to become a member. The club has two teams and play on a weekly basis from September to April. Keep up to date with the latest results here at Netball North Yorkshire - Results.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse is taught from Year I upwards throughout the autumn and spring term, and students have the opportunity to play in various North Schools Tournaments. A ten-a-side game, Lacrosse is fast and fun to both play and watch.

The highlight of the season is the National Schools Lacrosse Tournament, held in Surrey. This is where students get to hone their skills and compete against all Lacrosse Schools in the country. Compulsory in Years I-III, Lacrosse is optional from Year IV upwards. For those who choose to be a part of this fantastic sport, students are given the chance to represent Yorkshire, depending upon their ability.

Yorkshire Lacrosse helps students who excel in the sport to prepare for the opportunity of being selected to trial for Yorkshire county teams. This is a stepping stone on an elite pathway to National Lacrosse representation. Students playing exceptionally well in the County Tournament are invited to attend North of England trials. Many girls from Queen Margaret’s regularly represent the region on the Yorkshire County team, with some going on to represent the nation at the U18 level.

Find out more at the England Lacrosse website.

Athletics

Years I-IV take part in curriculum Athletics lessons where students cover a number of events in the summer term. Students actively work towards securing ESAA Gold, Silver or Bronze Awards for each event which results in a certificate of achievement. Through practice in all athletic events, students are well prepared for Sports Day, an inter-house competition held at the end of the summer term. In addition, girls have the opportunity to be selected to compete in the Track and Field cup and the York City Championships along with cross country events including the Cross Country Cup and York Schools Cross Country.

Sport develops lifelong skills that can not only be used on a sports field, but in everyday life.

QM Girl

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