Aldenham’s Sporting Legacy

School sports plays a central role in life at Aldenham, and has done throughout Aldenham’s history. Aldenham School in the UK, our sister school, was founded in 1597. As well as centuries of traditions and academic excellence, it has a history of sporting excellence. Football, for example, has been a part of life at Aldenham since the game was first played.

In 1825, Aldenham became the second place after Eton College to write down the rules of football, playing an important part in helping the sport become the worldwide phenomenon it is today. Aldenham School Football Club was also set up in the same year, meaning the school boasts the title of having the earliest organised football club in the world.

Over the years, Aldenham alumni - also known as Old Aldenhamians - have achieved great things in the world of sport. The cricketers James Mardall, David Blake, and Geoffrey Longfield all attended Aldenham, as well as the record-breaking skydiver Adrian Nicholas, who’s famous for completing more than 8,000 jumps in 30 countries across the globe.

Other Old Aldenhamians include the golfer Matt Wallace, currently ranked as one of the world’s top 50 golfers in the Official World Golf Ranking; and footballer Charlie Patino, who’s played for both Arsenal and Blackpool.

School Sports at Aldenham Today 

At Aldenham UK, Aldenham Sports Scholarships are awarded to pupils who show a high level of performance in two of our main school sports - football, hockey or cricket for boys; and hockey, netball, athletics, rounders or tennis for the girls.

Many of our pupils are on academy programmes at Premiership football clubs, representative hockey teams, and county cricket teams - and also compete for their school, setting an example of sporting excellence to their fellow pupils.

Sports At Aldenham Prep Riyadh

Here at Aldenham Prep Riyadh, we aim to give all our pupils the chance to develop their sporting talents. The school’s facilities, from the outdoor play area to the central atrium are all designed to encourage physical activity - and in the sports hall, there’s space for everything from dodgeball to gymnastics.

Our pupils are encouraged to take part in a range of sports, and each class has one PE lesson every week, as well as a Games afternoon and a weekly swimming lesson. As well as learning how to play football, netball, hockey, cricket, and basketball, they can also take part in other sports such as badminton, climbing, and trampolining - and there’s a range of co-curricular after school sports clubs.