Sport
In our nurturing, all-girls environment, Walford ensures that sport is inclusive, empowering, competitive and fun. Through sport, girls from ELC to Year 12 are empowered to build strength, fitness and teamwork. They are encouraged to participate in a range of sports with confidence, courage and compassion.
Research shows that girls who participate in sport experience lifelong benefits including higher self-esteem, better academic outcomes and stronger leadership skills. They are also more likely to develop resilience, teamwork and confidence, qualities that translate into success beyond school. Sport creates an environment and culture for students to flourish, enabling students to realise their potential and develop as well-rounded young women.
Walford’s vibrant co-curricular program offers a wide range of sport options where student can excel through participation, coaching and leadership, developing themselves as stewards of their chosen pursuits in order to be the best they can be. Walford creates a supportive and engaging environment for students, enabling all who participate to connect positively with others, develop the skills and dispositions involved with teamwork and gain a strong sense of belonging.
The School’s outstanding sports facilities—including the outdoor courts, the Sports Centre, High Performance Gym, Movement Studio, Parks Playing Field, and West Lakes Boat Shed—support participation and performance. As a member of the Independent Girls Schools Sports Association (IGSSA), Walford has a proud tradition of excellence, with multiple premierships across tennis, hockey, and swimming, as well as a record 19 wins in the prestigious Head of the River rowing regatta.
Walford Sport Offerings
Summer | Winter | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Junior School | Secondary School | Junior School | Secondary School |
Athletics Cricket Gym Club Rowing (Year 6 Coxswain Program) Sport Aerobics Swimming Tennis Volleyball | Athletics Basketball Cricket Rowing Sailing Strength and Conditioning Swimming Tennis Volleyball | Australian Rules Football Basketball Cross Country Gym Club Hockey Netball Pedal Prix (Year 6) Soccer Sport Aerobics Tennis – Hot Shots | Australian Rules Football Badminton Cross Country Hockey Netball Pedal Prix Rowing (Winter Program) Soccer Strength and Conditioning |
High Performance Academy
The Walford High Performance Academy offers a tailored program for students who have or who are identified as having potential to reach elite levels of sport. It is designed to nurture the physical and technical skills of student athletes as well as fostering their growth in the domains of wellbeing, leadership and character to promote holistic development.
The High Performance Academy provides access to resources, tailored workshops and follow up opportunities for students across five key areas: Strength and Conditioning, Sports Nutrition, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Leadership and Culture, and Performance Psychology. Students in the Academy connect with key staff, inspiring sports women, and one another, to support them in their pursuit of sporting excellence and achievement.
Rowing
Walford’s rowing program for Years 7–12 has a reputation both locally and internationally for quality, personal development, and outcomes, providing students with a pathway to achieve at their highest level, with many going on to represent the State. Over the last ten years, Walford crews have won Head of the River races 57 times, and the First VIII Crews have been awarded the Australian Schoolgirl Eight and the Florence Eaton Cup more times than any school in South Australia. The program encourages students to challenge themselves physically and mentally within a supportive team environment, fostering the development of strong, confident young women.
