AN impressive number of boys at Abingdon School are enjoying an unprecedented level of sporting success.

Sixteen pupils have represented their country, with a further nine winning titles at a national level.

These successes cover rugby, hockey, rowing, athletics, fencing, shooting, karate, cycling, orienteering, cricket, windsurfing and aquathlon.

A new sports centre was opened at the school in 2008 on Faringdon Road and director of sport, Andrew Hall believes, along with individual hard work, it has helped pupils excel.

  •  Sport

“One might argue that the opening of the sport centre provided the facilities and opportunities that the pupils needed,” he said.

“It certainly brought credence to the sport and PE department’s ethos of ‘more opportunities for more pupils’.

“But it is the pupils themselves that dedicate so many hours to achieving their ambitions, that really makes the difference.

“We are incredibly proud of all that they have achieved.

“We congratulate all of our international representatives, but also applaud all those who compete alongside them in school.”

Ethan Moody (U15 windsurfing), Charlie Quarterman (junior Copa De Espana cycling) and Adam Teece (GB rowing trials) have all won national competitions.

Leo Bethell, Alex Davies, James Fitzjohn, Max Mannering, Callum Russell and Adam Spears were members of the Oxfordshire Under 17 cricket team that won the B Division of this year’s Royal London County Cup.

Theo Brophy Clews (England U18 rugby) and William Carter Keall (England U18 hockey) have both captained their countries.

Thomas Digby and Michael Faves competed at world championships, with the former winning silver in rowing and the latter coming fourth in the aquathlon.

OTHER NOTABLE REPRESENTATIVES David Bunn (GB orienteering), Herman Chan (Hong Kong fencing), Michael Dewar (Scotland U18 rugby), Drew Farwell, Henry Waterson, Samuel Wilmot (all England shooting), Magnus Gregory (GB U18 kayaking), Dominic MacLachlan (Wales U18 hockey), Ben Schneider (GB U18 fencing), Joshua Valentine (England karate), Christian von Eitzen (Germany U19 athletics) and Jack Walsh (England rowing).