Competitive Edge

The Competitive Edge programme aims to increase participation and raise the standard of sporting excellence across the borough's schools.

The Sports Development Team organise five primary school tournaments as part of this programme, and there have been a number of Competitive Edge programmes with the borough's secondary schools:

Orleans Park Pupils

Canoeing

Four Richmond schools took part in the Competitive Edge canoe programme between April and June 2012, at Richmond Canoe Club. Coach Trevor Wetherall and Ollie Harding introduced the sport to the pupils and they learned new skills and the fundamentals of canoeing. A regatta involving all four schools also took place on Thursday 14 June 2012.

Waldegrave Pupils

Sailing

The Competitive Edge sailing programme at Lensbury Water Sports Centre in Teddington began in March 2012. Mark Hughes and coaches at the Lensbury Water Sports Centre introduced pupils from the borough's secondary schools to the sport, teaching them the essential sailing skills and techniques.

Badminton

Richmond borough coach Emma Dudley delivered Competitive Edge badminton sessions in a number of borough schools. As a result of the sessions the majority of pupils were keen to sign up for the London Youth Games trials and those not pursing Badminton out of school were keen to do so and were advised where they could go for this, such as the junior session at Hampton.

Martial Arts

Three secondary schools and five primary schools took part in martial arts sessions from Chris Brown at BUSEN Martial Arts club in Twickenham. Pupils were introduced to the sport and different forms of martial arts such as karate, self defence and judo. The following schools took part: Grey Court, Waldegrave, Orleans Park, Buckingham, Stanley, St James, St Mary’s and St Peters and Darrell.  

Archery

Royal Richmond Archery Club hosted the Competitive Edge archery programme which began in March 2012. Hampton Academy, Waldegrave, Christ’s and Orleans Park schools had the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of archery, taught by coach Marshall Baron, and competed against other schools at the end of the programme.