Tennis | Football | Golf Specialist Sports Pathways
Specialist Sports
Pathways
Tennis | Football | Golf
At Stonyhurst, talented young sportspeople are supported to pursue excellence. Alongside broad access to tennis, football and golf through weekday curriculum sport and a rich co-curricular programme, our Specialist Sports Pathways are designed for pupils seeking a more focused, high-performance route.
Available in tennis, football and golf, these pathways offer performance-led coaching and make full use of outstanding facilities, all within a boarding school recognised as the Best Senior School for Boarding by The Week Independent Schools Guide. Pupils benefit from expert support while remaining fully immersed in a balanced, values-led education.
Introducing Stonyhurst
Founded in 1593, Stonyhurst is the oldest Jesuit school in the world. Set within a remarkable 1,000-acre estate in Lancashire, Stonyhurst offers a distinctive education known for its sporting provision, rooted in intellectual curiosity, personal responsibility and care for the whole person. Stonyhurst pupils benefit from a broad and ambitious academic curriculum, exceptional pastoral care and a rich co-curricular programme. Sport plays a vital role in College life, developing resilience, discipline, teamwork and leadership. Our Specialist Sports Pathways allow pupils with distinct sporting ability and commitment to train and compete at a higher level while remaining fully immersed in the academic, cultural and community life of the school.
Our Ethos & Aims
Vision and Mission
Stonyhurst is the leading Catholic school in the Jesuit tradition with a restless ambition to inspire our pupils to become men and women for others, growing in competence, conscience, compassion and commitment, who are drawn to live purposefully in the world for the greater glory of God and the Common Good.
Aims
• To enable all to make the best progress they can, thereby fostering human excellence – Quant Je Puis
• To invite those of all faiths and none to benefit from and flourish in a Jesuit and Catholic school, becoming men and women for others; to make a positive difference to the world
• To allow those who wish to develop and deepen their
faith, understanding that in a Catholic school, we live and learn purposefully for the greater glory of God
• To provide teaching and learning opportunities of the highest quality which are tailored to the needs of each individual
• To create a safe, happy, enriching and inclusive school where good behaviour is the norm, attitudes to learning are positive and everyone feels a sense of belonging: a family like no other
• To provide a broad, balanced and rich curriculum and co-curriculum that prepares pupils for modern life
• To ensure the whole community of pupils, staff and parents feel included and listened to, thereby being vital parts of the Stonyhurst story and ensuring the future success and sustainability of the school
TENNIS ACADEMY
A performance pathway within a full school programme
The Stonyhurst Tennis Academy offers a clearly structured pathway for players ranging from development level through to county, regional and national standard.
Designed to support both progression and enjoyment of the game, the programme provides pupils with expert coaching, competitive opportunities and access to outstanding facilities, all within the rhythm of a full boarding school education.
The programme includes:
• Development, School and Academy squads
• Individual lessons and performancefocused group sessions
• Competitive school fixtures, tours and team competitions
• Indoor and outdoor courts, including the Tennis Dome with 2 Grand Slam courts, enables consistent, year-round training and coaching
• Players move through the pathway based on their standard of play within their age group, ensuring appropriate challenge, progression and long-term development
As a Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) Registered Venue, Stonyhurst is eligible to enter the National LTA Glanville and Aberdare Cups, the pinnacle of British schools tennis, providing pupils with the opportunity to compete at the highest national level.
Stonyhurst was named as one of the Top Six UK Schools for Tennis ahead of Wimbledon
2025 by Which School Advisor, reflecting the strength and quality of the College’s tennis provision and competitive opportunities.
The quality of coaching and facilities was highlighted when renowned coach Judy Murray visited Stonyhurst, engaging with pupils and showcasing our tennis environment. Watch the visit by scanning the QR code.
Expert leadership and individual progression
The Tennis Academy is led by highly qualified and experienced professionals:
• Director of Tennis: David Shaw, Internationally qualified LTA Level 5 Coach
• Academy squads for county, regional and national players (by invitation)
• Structured group programmes across Prep and College
• Individual performance coaching (indoor or outdoor courts)
All tennis activity is fully integrated with the school day and boarding life, enabling pupils to train seriously while maintaining academic focus and balance.
Coaching & Programme Costs
Group Coaching Programmes
Available across Prep and College year groups, delivered in termly courses.
• Mini Red Lessons (Early Years (Pre-School) - PP2 (Year 2))
£118 for a course of 10 lessons (30 minutes per lesson)
Includes a complimentary Head UK racket
• Mini Red, Mini Orange, Mini Green & Full Yellow Ball Lessons (Lower Grammar (Year 9) - Rhetoric (Year 13))
£175 for a course of 10 lessons (45 minutes per lesson)
Includes a complimentary Head UK racket or performance tracker and certificate (age dependent)
• New Tennis Academy (County, Regional & National Players) By invitation only
Termly group coaching aligned to competitive level
(Summer Term courses are reduced in length and priced accordingly)
Individual Coaching (Indoor or Outdoor Courts)
• With Director of Tennis (David Shaw)
One hour: £65 | 45 minutes: £48.75
30 minutes: £32.50
• With Senior Performance Coach (Liz Thomas)
One hour: £53 | 45 minutes: £39.75
30 minutes: £26.50
Pair coaching fees are divided equally.
football school of excellence
Developing intelligent, resilient footballers
Stonyhurst College is proud to offer an exceptional football development programme for boys and girls through our Football School of Excellence. Building on our longstanding commitment to the development of the whole person, this enhanced football pathway provides high-performance training, wellbeing support and international opportunities for pupils from Figures to Rhetoric (Year 7 to Year 13). Whether aiming for a professional football career or developing skill and confidence in a team environment, pupils at Stonyhurst are supported to achieve their full athletic and personal potential - Quant Je Puis.
Why choose football at Stonyhurst?
• UEFA-qualified coaching with weekly training sessions
• Two tailored pathways: Development and Performance
• Regular competitive fixtures, national tournaments and talent ID days
• Individual development plans and performance reviews
• Strength, conditioning, physiotherapy and mental wellbeing support
• UK and USA tours, including exposure opportunities through US Pro-Pathway Camps linked to the College’s 18+ programme in the United States.
• Football Scholarships available from September 2026
Pathways, Environment & Opportunities
Programme Pathways
Development Level
(Figures (Year 7) – Rhetoric (Year 13))
A comprehensive football foundation focused on skill, teamwork and growth. Pupils receive:
• Weekly coaching with UEFA-qualified staff
• Bespoke training kit and individual learning plans
• Mental wellbeing mentoring and physiotherapy support
• Weekly fixtures and end-of-year UK football tour
• National, county and regional competitive league and cup fixtures for all age groups for male and female players
• A culture that values discipline, teamwork and leadership
• Strength, conditioning and sports science facilities
• Tour opportunities in the UK and USA, including professional club training experiences and showcase events with talent scouts
• Grass and all-weather pitches across the Stonyhurst estate
The Football School of Excellence reflects Stonyhurst’s belief that sport should shape character as well as performance, preparing pupils for progression within football and for life beyond school.
GOLF ACADEMY
Performance golf in partnership with New Generation Golf
Stonyhurst is proud to continue its partnership with New Generation Golf through the Stonyhurst Golf Academy, offering a progressive programme for golfers of all abilities. The Academy makes full use of the Stonyhurst Golf Simulator and 9 hole golf course, generously funded by the Stonyhurst Community through the Annual Fund. In keeping with the mission of the fund, pupils receive priority access to the simulator free of charge, enhancing both technical development and performance analysis.
Performance golf in partnership with New Generation Golf
The Academy is led by Stephen Malone and Nat Draper, a team of PGA Professionals with over fifteen years’ experience as performance coaches.
