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:

Canoeing

Over April, May and June 2012, four Richmond schools will take part in the Competitive Edge canoe programme at Richmond Canoe Club. Coach Trevor Wetherall and Ollie Harding will introduce the sport to the pupils, where they will learn new skills and the fundamentals of canoeing. A regatta involving all four schools will take place on Thursday 14 June.

Sailing

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

Badminton

Richmond borough coach Emma Dudley is currently running Competitive Edge badminton sessions in a number of borough schools. Sessions have already taken place at Waldegrave School for Girls and Orleans Park. Four one hour sessions were delivered to 12 pupils in each of the two 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. Sessions will continue at Hampton Academy and Richmond Park Academy following the February half term.

Martial Arts

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

Archery

Royal Richmond Archery Club will host the Competitive Edge archery programme which will begin in March. Hampton Academy, Waldegrave, Christ’s and Orleans Park schools will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of archery, taught by coach Marshall Baron, and compete against other schools in a competition at the end of the programme.