Athletics is open to all boys in the Trinity term, with training at Careys and the Yeovil track.
Led by expert coaches, boys develop skills and compete locally and at county level, including the English Schools’ Championships. Joint sessions with Sherborne Girls continue this year, alongside highlights like the Lutra Shield.
Badminton is open to all year groups and welcomes all abilities.
Training and fixtures are supported by Dr Spencer and county-level coach Ms Taylor. The 1st team competes in the Wessex Badminton League, with matches against schools like Millfield and Canford, including regular mixed fixtures with Sherborne Girls.
Basketball is fast-paced and physical, demanding strong fitness and discipline.
The club trains weekly in Michaelmas and runs full U16 and U19 fixtures in Lent, coached with a focus on defence, transition, and organised offence. Matches include Marlborough, Winchester and Canford, with all games professionally refereed.
Cricket thrives at Sherborne, with seven pitches and extensive indoor facilities supporting year-round development.
Out of season, there is an extensive programme of training at all levels, including 1-1 sessions for individual players, and enhanced by the Inter-House Indoor Competition at both junior and senior levels.
In summer, the game truly comes alive – from beginners to those representing the school’s top teams. Fourteen XIs play a total of over 100 matches each season, ranging in length from T10 via 100-ball and T20 to 50 overs and all-day declaration formats, including fixtures against MCC, overseas teams, Marlborough, Millfield, King’s Taunton and many more.
Coaching is led by Ryan Buckley, who is an ECB Level 3 Coach, with Mark Davis (formerly of Somerset CCC) also amongst the team. We have close links with Cricket Dorset, serving as a Performance Centre and match venue, and with Sherborne CC, allowing boys to continue their cricketing journey outside of school. Several boys are also part of county pathway programmes across the country.
Each summer, Sherborne also hosts our Ruth Strauss Foundation Cricket Week – a series of fixtures across all age groups which, in 2025 alone, raised over £6,000 for the charity.
The extent and quality of our programme have resulted in Sherborne’s inclusion in ‘The Cricketer’ magazine’s prestigious Top 100 Schools listing for the past two years.
Cross country runs throughout the Lent term, combining competitive success with an inclusive, enjoyment-led ethos.
Training explores scenic routes around Sherborne, with highlights including races at Studland, Bulbarrow, and Sherborne Castle. Boys of all abilities are welcome, with the focus on personal goals, teamwork, and developing a lifelong love of running.
Rugby Fives is fast, fun and open to all year groups.
Played throughout the year on our five indoor courts, fives is a little bit like squash, but you hit a ball with your hands, wearing padded leather gloves. Boys can compete in singles and doubles games, and we host an annual National Schools tournament, play fixtures against other schools, and run a popular Inter-House competition each year.
Football at Sherborne continues to grow, with success at both performance and participation levels.
An U18 squad competes in the Wessex Independent Schools League during the Michaelmas term, winning titles in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022. Boys also take part in ISFA Cup and Shield competitions, the Dorset County Cup, and house futsal.
In Lent, 13 teams represent the School in fixtures against the likes of Millfield. Led by Dr J-P Manning and former professional footballer, Mr Chris Weale, Sherborne’s football programme is thriving.
Sherborne golfers train weekly at Sherborne Golf Club, with course play, range practice, and coaching.
Recent highlights include regional finals in national competitions, individual success at elite junior events, and victory in the Western Schools’ League. Fixtures, internal tournaments, and matches against staff and old boys round out a busy calendar.
Hockey is a dynamic and inclusive sport at Sherborne, with teams competing up to national level across all age groups.
Boys benefit from expert coaching – including former internationals – and a culture of excellence, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Top players take part in England Hockey’s National Championship and national indoor competitions, while others enjoy fixtures against local schools and clubs. Boys also train and play with Sherborne Girls, and with Yeovil & Sherborne Hockey Club in the West Premier Leagues.
Supported by outstanding facilities, including our new indoor sports hall, hockey at Sherborne develops skill, confidence, and character in every player.
Polo is a fast-paced, all-year sport open to confident riders of all levels.
Boys train weekly at Druids Lodge Polo Club with expert coaches and superb ponies, with sessions including tuition and pony hire. Fixtures run throughout the year, and boys can also take riding lessons locally, from beginner to advanced.
Rugby is the flagship sport in the Michaelmas term, with up to 18 teams from U14E to 1st XV.
Our principle-based programme focuses on “play to space,” “speed of ball,” “nothing through,” and “get the ball back” – building skill, confidence, and a lifelong love of the game.
Led by Director of Rugby Chris Smith (RFU Level 4) and Director of Rugby Coaching Louise Dennis, boys benefit from expert coaching and strong academy links.
Over 25 boys currently play in professional academies, with recent leavers joining Bath, Exeter, and Ulster, or top rugby universities including Oxford and Durham.
Sailing runs year-round at Sutton Bingham Reservoir, in partnership with Sherborne Girls.
With a large fleet and expert coaching, boys of all abilities can compete in team racing and BSDRA events. Sherborne has seen national success, and Fifth Form boys can apply for the Andrew Yorke Award to become RYA instructors.
Clay shooting takes place weekly and coached at Mendip, and competitions friendlies at Millfield, Marlborough and Harrow.
Target shooting is held in the school’s indoor range, focusing on developing marksmanship skills using .22 rifles. Expert coaching is available for beginners and experienced shots alike. Internal competitions are held each term, and there are occasional opportunities for external fixtures.
Ski racing is a popular and growing sport at Sherborne.
Boys train with Precise Racing at European resorts and indoor centres, then compete in the DHO British Schoolboys Championships in Wengen. Success has come in Slalom and Dual Slalom, with both experienced racers and recreational skiers making strong progress.
Squash is played year-round at Sherborne, supported by a professional coach and four new courts.
Boys can access additional coaching, compete in local fixtures, and take part in the annual match against The Jesters. Team selection is ability-based, with regular opportunities and a popular Inter-House competition in the Lent term.
Swimming runs year-round and supports all levels, with coaching focused on technique, fitness, and personal bests.
Boys train for competitions and enjoy evening swims. Sherborne competes in regular galas against schools such as Marlborough and Eton, and the annual Inter-House gala offers every boy the chance to get involved.
Tennis is a thriving, all-inclusive sport at Sherborne, with over 170 boys playing in the summer term.
It builds discipline, resilience, and finesse – qualities seen on court and beyond. Sherborne fields 10 teams, with regular fixtures and national competitions such as the LTA Glanville Cup and Y11–13 events.
In 2022, our Year 9/10 team won the regional finals of the LTA competition. Committed players benefit from a year-round programme and tailored support.
The programme is led by Director of Tennis, Richard Keen – an LTA Level 4 coach – who works with boys individually and in groups.
Water polo is fast-paced, competitive, and ideal for strong swimmers.
Boys enjoy games sessions and occasional friendly matches throughout the year. There are highly coveted trophies to be won in the hugely enjoyable junior and senior House tournaments.
