FOCUSports
The King’s Hospital has a proud tradition and long association with certain sports and consequently our FOCUSports receive particular attention. Form 1 students must participate in our FOCUSports for a minimum of two afternoons per week. Form 2, 3, and 4 students are also required to participate in a minimum of one Autumn/Winter FOCUSport and one Summer FOCUSport.
Rugby
Rugby is one of our FOCUSports for boys. As such Rugby is offered to all boys, catering for students at all levels through a variety of contact, modified contact (Touch) and non-contact (Tag) game forms. All Form 1 boys must participate in Rugby for a minimum of one afternoon per week. Matches for Form 1 and Form 2 teams take place on Wednesday afternoons or occasionally on Saturday mornings. From Form 3 onwards our teams compete in Leinster Rugby competitions.
Our TY rugby programme specifically provides a variety of training and game forms (7s, 10-a-side, Touch) to complement the extensive TY curriculum.
Rugby is offered to girls from Form 3 onwards, again in a variety of contact, modified contact and non-contact forms.
Head of Rugby – Ian Dumbleton (E: i.dumbleton@thekingshospital.ie)
Hockey
Hockey is a core FOCUSport for both boys and girls across all forms, catering for students at all levels.
All Form 1 students must participate in Hockey for a minimum of one afternoon per week and all matches selected for.
Each team is entered in Leinster Hockey competitions with the majority of matches taking place on Wednesday afternoons.
Head of Hockey – Peter Caruth (E: p.caruth@thekingshospital.ie)
Basketball
Basketball is one of our FOCUSports for girls.
As such Basketball is offered to all girls, catering to students at all levels. All Form 1 girls must participate in Basketball for a minimum of one afternoon per week and all matches selected for. Teams from Form 1 and Form 2 enter the North Dublin League. We also enter u16 teams and u19 teams in the relevant North Dublin Leagues for students from Form 3 upwards.
Basketball is offered to boys from Form 3 upwards too with u16 and u19 boys teams entered into relevant competitions.
Head of Basketball – Mr. O’Connor (E: c.oconnor@thekingshospitral.ie)
Athletics
Athletics is one of our core FOCUSports for Summer term. As such all Form 1 students must participate in Athletics for a minimum of one afternoon per week and it is offered to all students at all levels.
Our emphasis is on a range of sprinting, jumping and throw events and we enter students in the both the schools medley and the West Leinster Athletics Championships each year where they have the opportunity to qualify for the Leinster Championships.
Optional Sports
Badminton
Badminton is a winter sport available to all form groups.
Focussed team training is held weekly in the Sports Hall in preparation for league matches, as well as social badminton for all students who wish to participate for fitness or social interaction.
Cricket
Cricket is one of our summer FOCUSports for both boys and girls and is offered to all forms, catering for students at all levels.
All Form 1 students must participate in Cricket for a minimum of one afternoon per week and all matches selected for. Each team is entered in leagues organised by Leinster Cricket with the majority of matches taking place on Wednesday afternoons.
Due to the short nature of the summer sports season, we occasionally play matches at other times during the week. Indoor Nets training takes place in advance of the summer term.
Head of Cricket – Mr. Plummer (E: d.plummer@thekingshospital.ie)
Football
Football is played during the summer term for senior school students with an emphasis on inclusion, participation and enjoyment. Students are coached in the fundamentals of football and challenge matches take place with similar schools throughout Leinster.
Mr Tucker
Gym Classes
We have a fully equipped in-house gym for students in Forms 4 and above. Our qualified Gym Instructors provide industry-leading fitness classes, strength and conditioning sessions and sport-specific training programmes. Gym classes offered include HIIT, advanced strength training and circuits as well as one-to-one development sessions.
Michelle Barry & David Hare
Rowing
From Form 2, students can attend rowing up to three days per week. All off-water training takes place in our purpose-built indoor rowing room whilst on-water training takes place twice per week at Neptune & Municipal Rowing Clubs in the Michaelmas and Trinity Terms. Our rowers compete in numerous regattas around Ireland, with the main event being the National Schools Championships.
Mr. O’Maoilchiarain (E: m.omaoilchiarain@thekingshospital.ie)
Swimming
The King’s Hospital Swim Club train two mornings per week throughout the school year. This is for experienced swimmers and is designed to be an additional fitness session, or part of a swimmer’s overall programme. We also offer swimming classes and ‘free swim’ opportunities for students who are not part of the Swim Club. Our onsite swimming pool has recently had extensive refurbishment and upgrade.
Christine Howard (E: c.howard@thekingshospital.ie)
Tennis
Tennis is a core summer sport for all students and is mandatory for Form 1, with teams for all skill levels. Each team is entered into a league organised by Leinster Schools Tennis. Training sessions are held on our Astro pitches and hard courts, with professional tennis coaches providing training.
Ms. Ryan
Yoga
Yoga classes are offered in the early morning and afternoons four times per week. Yoga is a great way to improve balance, flexibility and muscle stability whilst providing a mindful practice to alleviate stress and anxiety. There are a variety of class styles available including energetic or relaxed flow.
Ms. Leahy
