Gordonstoun - Activities - Sports

Sports

In the beginning Hahn expressed his view that at many schools ball games had been given precedence over other activities and so, to start with, more focus was placed on seamanship and practical work than the playing of games. Due to this, competitive matches did not start until 1935 when Gordonstoun played and won its first rugby match against Grantown Academy. Even so the school was still in its infancy and there were no designated fields on which to play with conditions being so bad that during pre-match, half-time and post match, players would clear as many pebbles off the field of play as possible. 1935 saw Gordonstoun's cricket team win two, lose two and draw one. Kurt Hahn set up the field hockey team personally with Prince Philip humorously recounting a game against Elgin Academy's Ladies team and saying that he "...hoped that soon we shall be among the best Scottish girls' teams."

Today there are playing fields for rugby, football and cricket as well as an outdoor field hockey AstroTurf, outdoor tennis courts and a 400m running track. Apart from these outdoor pitches there is also a large sports centre with facilities that include a rock climbing wall, a 25m swimming pool, a weights room, squash courts and an indoor activity hall for basketball, badminton and netball.

Popular sports such as football, rugby union, netball and cricket produce teams that frequently compete with other schools and adult clubs, locally as well as from across Scotland: in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh. These teams engage in international tours too with the most recent trips being to Dubai, South Africa and the West Indies.

Aside from these more traditional sports there is also the opportunity to participate in karate, equestrianism, skiing, .22 rifle shooting and clay pigeon shooting, athletics, golf and many others. Clubs also form part of the activities list which is made up of cooking, debating, astronomy and film.