Grit and determination in a final held at Northampton Saints’ Cinch Stadium gave Felsted’s Under-13 boys the edge, and led to them lifting the trophy at the culmination of the Premiership club’s national Rugby 7s Series 2024.
Having won their way out of the pool stage thanks to a monumental whole-squad effort, Felsted’s boys went on to win their two games in the cup finals stage and qualify for the tournament’s national final for the first time since 2017. There they met Royal Latin School at the iconic Franklin’s Gardens ground. Felsted conceded early in the game but battled to an emphatic 3-1 victory.
‘The victory would not have been possible without a whole squad effort throughout the day,’ said Hector Bevitt-Smith, Felsted Prep School’s Director of Co-Curricular Sports & Activities. ‘As always, the team played with graciousness and determination and represented the school brilliantly.’
The Northampton Saints 7s Series brings together students from schools across the country to compete in the short form of the game. Boys’ Under-13s and Under-18s and Girls’ Under-15s and Under-18s regional tournaments are held in eight venues each season, providing a competitive environment and emphasising the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork.
Felsted’s Under-13 rugby team’s success comes hot on the heels of the school’s Under-18 boys’ emphatic victory in the RFU’s annual national school rugby tournament, The Continental Tyres Schools Cup, at Twickenham in March this year.
Sport at Felsted is for everyone and pupils begin to learn basic rugby handling, movement and contact skills in the Prep School, developing their fitness and understanding of the game. Rugby continues to be a core sport in the Senior School with individualised elite programmes comprising bespoke training and nutrition for the most keen and able players. Felsted has produced many professional players over the years through its elite player pathway and partnership with Saracens Rugby Club – alongside Max Malins and Rory Hutchinson, Old Felstedians Alex Wardell, Craig Wright, Ollie Stonham, Sam Bryan, Obinna Nkwocha and Ehren Painter have also represented England at age-group in recent years, while Ellie Lennon currently plays for Ealing Trailfinders and scored a try on her debut for England U18s. Felsted School recently won Boarding School of the Year 2023 at the TES Schools Awards in June and in March 2024 was appointed by IB-Schools.com as ‘A Top 20 UK IB School for 2023’ for excellence in academic achievement. To learn more about Felsted’s sports offering, visit www.felsted.org/sport.
