Badminton

Since the opening of the new sports hall,  badminton has taken off as the major indoor sport in the school.  Over 50 pupils take badminton as their games option.  Top Scottish coaches take the session.

2006-7

Played: 6 Won: 3 Lost: 3
The start of the season was inarguably disappointing. An inexperienced team was comprehensively outplayed by a far more powerful and talented Strathallan side. Following on from this, we missed the leadership and enthusiasm of our captain Moses Hoyt for our match against Heriot’s. This match resulted in a narrow defeat, with several close games going to match point. However, as the term progressed, the squad did begin to show more confi dence and ability thanks undoubtedly to more practice and the coaching expertise of Elinor Middlemiss. This new-found belief in ourselves enabled us to win a mixed match against a strong Fettes team. After the festive season, we recorded our fi rst victory against Stewart’s Melville. All players performed well in this tie, which turned our season around and instilled a sense of optimism and perseverance leading up to our rematch against Heriot’s, this time at home. It was our closest win and — I am quite sure I represent the whole team in writing — the most enjoyable. Unfortunately, many of last year’s superstars have left to go to university, and consequently there have been signifi cant changes to the badminton squad. Despite this, I remain hopeful that talent will be found amongst the new infl ux of players this year. I would like to pay tribute to the following individuals who also served the team well for the last time last year: Pierce Glennie, Ashil Sodha, Charles Fulton and, of course, our captain, Moses Hoyt.
Luke Scott

Basketball

Basketball is available as an activity, and is also played by some years during their PE lessons. Basketball is one of the events played for the Division Cup, every January.

Fencing

During the Autumn term, some pupils from the IIIrd and IVth years opt to try fencing as their winter game. All tend to be beginners. We have the services of Patsy Nicholls, one of the foremost epee coaches in Scotland (and the official coach for the Scottish team at the recent Commonwealth Championships in Australia). Under her tutelage, the group are introduced to the rudiments of handling all three competition weapons -foil, epee and sabre. It is hoped to build up a group of regular fencers who, in due course, may emulate the achievements of their esteemed predecessors of a few years ago.

Fives

A traditional old public school game.  The Academy is fortunate enough to have two excellent fives courts.  Fives is played a little like squash, but with gloves on the hands to hit a hard ball.  Numerous matches take place against other traditional schools at junior and senior level.

Fitness Room

Pupils are inducted into the fitness room by the Sports Centre staff,  fully qualified by "Fitness First" whose state of the art machines the Academy gym uses.  Some pupils follow fitness programmes,  but many use the gym on a casual basis for weight and fitness sessions.

Golf

Because of the pressure of exams and other summer activities Golf is never going to be a major sport within the Academy but it is a pleasure to report that the school has many fine golfers.

Shooting

The school has an indoor 25ft shooting range, and is equipped with several rifles.  Shooting is a Division Cup sport,  and opportunities for competition shooting can be pursued also through the Cadet Force.

Squash

The school has a full squash court, and has produced several national squash players. Squash activities cater for all, from complete beginners to champions. There are numerous matches at under14,  under 16 and open level against other schools. The 1st V Squash Team plays in the Lothian Schools' League.

It goes unseen by many that the squash practices sometimes last until after six o' clock on Mondays and Fridays, and matches can last even longer than that. It is in these valuable practices that we are able both to work on racket play with our coach and to undertake some gruelling sessions of fitness and speed, attributes essential in squash.

Tennis

The school has its own courts and has produced a number of good players. A team is entered in the Scottish Schools Cup.

It is good to see a large number of senior pupils making the most of the facilities. Though the standard varies enormously, the atmosphere is relaxed and it is obvious that team players and novices alike were enjoying themselves. What greater pleasure can there be than tennis in the Summer Term? The ball is not too hard, you get to run about a lot, and you don't have to wait too long before it's your turn again.