Diocesan College - Sport

Sport

Bishops firmly believes in sport being a vital part of an all-rounded high school education, placing emphasis on physical well-being, teamwork, and ethics of competition, and to this extent sport is compulsory throughout a boy's five-year career at the college. All sports are currently done as extra-curriculars, each with a Master-in-Charge to oversee the administrative necessities of the sport and often fulfilling coaching duties as well. Many sports, especially in the higher levels, make use of external coaches.

The sports which Bishops fields multiple representations in against other schools on a regular basis are divided into teams in every age group based on proficiency. Sports where there is not yet school-based competition (such as karate) instead have one practice for all the members of that sport.

Sports are classed according to the season in which they are partaken, namely winter and summer. Bishops currently offers the following sports:

Winter Sports

• Cross Country
• First Aid
• Golf
• Hockey (Field)
• Mountain Biking
• Rugby
• Squash

Summer Sports

• Athletics (Track and Field)
• Basketball
• Canoeing
• Climbing
• Cricket
• Karate
• Shooting
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Waterpolo
• Weights

Year-Round Sports

• Fencing
• Fitness Challenge
• Rowing
• Sailing
• Surfing

Bishops has also offered the following sports in the past:

• Boxing (ended 1970)
• Fives (ended 1921)
• Gymnastics

Bishops was the first school in South Africa and in the southern hemisphere to start playing rugby, and the main Piley Rees field is the oldest rugby field in South Africa. The school offers many sports; but the focus is on rugby union and cricket.

Over 20 sports matches are played on a weekly basis against schools in and around Cape Town. Many friendly rivalries have emerged, most notably against the nearby South African College School (SACS), and Rondebosch Boys' High School.

Beginning in 1892, the annual Bishops versus SACS rugby match is considered the oldest in Africa, although the keenest rivalry is often considered to be against Rondebosch Boys' High School. A match against Rondebosch is played twice per year in every sport.

Over the past few years the Bishops Hockey side has gone from strength to strength. In 2010 the side beat all their opponents and scored a record breaking 115 goals, while 3 players made the Provincial u18A side: Robbie Edwards, Seb Golding and Michael Watson, while Watson went on to make the South African u17 side. In 2011 and 2012, Bishops remained undefeated while boasting 6 Provincial u18 players: Michael Watson, Seb Golding, Jacques Tredoux, James Drummond, Charlie Plimsoll and Steven Ryall and two National u19 players: James Drummond and Michael Watson. The Western Province side went on to win the tournament, the first time in 8 years, and Michael Watson and James Drummond were named in the SA u18 side to take on Australia in a 3 test match series. Along with that, Steve Ryall was named in the SA u17 squad.

Fencing at Bishops has become very strong in recent years. The club is predominately a foil club although the other two weapons are offered. Since 2008, Bishops has had at least one fencer with South African Colours in either Epee or Foil and in either U17 Cadet or U20 Junior categories. Most notable of the South African representatives are Landon McClure, who has gone on to represent South Africa on a senior level at the African World Championships where he placed in the top 16 and Robert McGregor who has represented South Africa in more than 5 international competitions including two Junior World Championships.