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.

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.

There are more runners than ever and little difficulty in producing teams at all levels from all Divisions. This is a real credit to the Division masters, cross-country teachers and the pupils themselves. It is a real pleasure to see so many pupils taking part, each one having a role to play for their division, and for the better runners tough competitive races.

The race is divided into under 13, under 15, under 17 and open. Each year the cross-country pulls out many surprise, and results not expected but well deserved.

CROSS COUNTRY Championships 2010

It was a beautiful crisp sunny morning, ideal for running. There was a good turn out and lots of excellent endeavours. GP Franchi won the Open race for the second year, two minutes ahead of his nearest rival. Cameron Simpson and Kieran Baker had a great battle in the U17 race with Cameron prevailing. Donald Inwood kept up the family tradition with victory in the U15 race just ahead of Saul Melvin Farr. The girls’ race saw a record entry with the Open winner being Natasha Bacciarelli and a number of new records were set by Lara Pedreschi (U17), Jessica McGuire (U15) and Jessica Smith (U13). In the Under 13 race Jack Gordon took the honours. The overall Division Trophy was remarkably shared between three divisions. The usual count back system to separate the divisions in the event of a tie was deemed unfair to the Divisions with small numbers, who genuinely could not field eight runners. The PE Department will look at suitable adjustments for next year.

Results

2008-9

It’s not often you walk away happy from what was, in terms of results, a disappointing season. However, I think as a team we have enjoyed our football and at times there have been very high standards. Even if this season will not be remembered as our greatest, the team spirit has been the best I have experienced to date.

The season started positively with some very encouraging results in friendly matches. We had wins against Merchiston, Stewart's Melville B and an even more impressive two-all draw with a strong Watson’s side. It would be better to draw a veil over a drubbing by Stewart’s Melville A when we played well short of our best.

As to the league matches the results on paper do not reflect the effort and at times the quality evinced by the players. We lost to Watsons 1-0 having held out until five minutes from time. At Heriots we dominated most of the first half before losing an unfortunate late goal; another avoidable goal was conceded early in the second half and we did not recover. Our best result was by far a thrilling 5-5 draw with Stewart’s Melville. Even then it was sad to see a game which we dominated for the most part not go in our favour. It’s ironic to see this result as the success of our season, but it showed a vast improvement in our game given we had lost heavily to them in a friendly. (Disappointingly the match against Merchiston which we were favourites to win was cancelled owing to problems at New Field.)

During the season there have been noteworthy contributions in all areas of the park. In goals Andrew Maclaren will be sorely missed as a player and captain. Ruairidh Kemmett and Robert Wilson provided a solid central defensive partnership, shown e.g. against Watsons, where Kemmett battled hard and Wilson dramatically cleared one off the line. (I would like to say that filling the void left in defence from last year was a massive task and Ruairidh accomplished this in great style.) At full back Findlay Hood and Matthew Todd excelled and were controlled in both defence and attack. In midfield Ross Waddell was the proverbial unsung hero whose gritty performances were vital to our play. Just as vital were attacking centre midfielders GP Franchi and Cammy Ross who created endless chances with skill and talent, while still adding grit and determination to the engine room of the team. There are many memories of the pair but GP’s excellent solo runs against Merchiston and Stewarts Melville were top class and Cammy’s composed finish against Stewart’s Melville will be long remembered – though not perhaps for as long as his celebration! On the wings Ali Houston and Phil Scott were superb. They gave a balance to the team and shaped many attacks from wide. Edwin Finlay played the lone striker role throughout the season – a hard task even for professionals. Edwin performed manfully and that has to be applauded.

As for the future, a development game against Stewarts Melville, featuring no leavers from both sides, ended in a 4-3 defeat. However, the future is prosperous. Players like Jonathan Kerr, Kevin Li, Lewis Graham, Philip Bald (who scored two in this match), Ryan McGinley and Sandy Nimmo all featured in the season and are ready to step up next year in their various positions. There will also be new additions from the 4 ths who are keen and I am confident in our ability as a squad for next year.

There have to be some final mentions. Firstly to all the leavers for this year for your contribution to the football team, you will certainly not be forgotten. Mr Hamilton as well who along with Mr Black have both given good guidance and coaching. It is only a shame that Mr Hamilton is not going to continue next year. He leaves us with a new coach, a new team and a close to this year. It won’t be remembered as our greatest, but we shall return to training with determination and perseverance. We look forward to next year.

Robert Wilson, Vice Captain

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.

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.

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.

On the south side of Edinburgh lies Hillend Ski Slope, Europe's largest dry slope. The Academy makes use of these facilities and skiers also regularly make trips to slopes in the Highlands and abroad.

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.

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.