The close connection between good physical health and fitness, and the highest levels of intellectual attainment are now well known. This is an important reason for encouraging a diverse and challenging sporting programme. Our pupils, however, will go on to senior schools with an ever-greater choice of sports, and so our aim is to provide an opportunity for pupils to sample many different activities and to develop these across a broad spectrum. Even more important is the increased confidence that so many pupils gain from achieving success on the games field, with this confidence permeating all they do.

Hazelwood has many school teams in a wide variety of sports, including football, netball, rugby, hockey, lacrosse, cricket, cross country running, athletics and swimming. Team-building skills, a sense of purpose and increasing confidence are the results of our commitment to enabling pupils to represent the school at all levels.

Of course, it is always good to win matches, but with true humility and a respect for our opponents. No one enjoys losing matches, but the experience serves to develop strength of character and determination in the face of difficulty.

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