Sport

A co-curricular program, as part of a holistic education, has never been more important and relevant than it is today. With a diverse array of programs, activities and experiences on offer from ELC through to Year 12, there is something for everyone, providing lessons outside of the classroom that will be carried for life.

Walford Sport and Coaching Brochure

The sporting program at Walford is a significant and popular part of daily life, providing students with the opportunity to compete, learn new skills, develop their self-confidence, teamwork and healthy habits for life. Our sporting program is designed to encourage students to participate as beginners in any activity of choice, whilst at the same time, extending athletes in their chosen sports at the very highest of levels.

We encourage students to participate in both a summer and winter sport. A range of options are available and students are encouraged to involve themselves and have fun. Junior School matches and trainings usually take place on week-days whilst students in Years 7 – 12 train and play across the week including Saturday mornings, depending on the scheduling of their chosen sport. Junior School students compete in the Independent Primary School Heads Association (IPSHA) competition and Years 7 – 12 participate in the Independent Girls’ Schools of South Australia (IGSSA) competition.

Rowing

Walford’s rowing program has a reputation both locally and internationally for quality, personal development and outcomes. Students are provided with a pathway to achieve at their highest level, with many students going on to represent the State.

Over the last ten years, Walford crews have been successful in winning Head of the River races 57 times! 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 Walford Rowing program encourages students to challenge themselves physically and mentally, within a supportive team environment, which fosters the development of strong, confident young women. With the guidance of excellent mentoring and coaching led by Head Coach, Patrick Ey, students enjoy the culture and camaraderie that is a defining feature of Walford Rowing.

Our rowing program is offered to students in Years 7 – 12. The season runs over the summer months, during Terms 4 and 1. Training is held several times a week at Walford’s West Lakes Boatshed on the purpose-built AM Ramsay Regatta Course, and in the Walford Sports Centre.

Softball and Teeball

Softball is offered in Terms 1 and 4 for students in Years 7 – 12. Year 5 and 6 students are also invited to participate in Term 1. Trainings are held on a weekday at Walford Parks Playing Field and matches are held on Saturday mornings on a home and away basis.

Teeball is a simplified version of softball which is played competitively by students in Year 3 and 4. It is intended as an introduction to the game and develops ball-game skills in a fun and nurturing environment.

Walford was thrilled to cheer on Old Scholar, Belinda White who competed in Tokyo 2020 as part of the Olympic Softball team.

Australian Rules Football

When the Australian Football League announced the official AFL Womens’ League (AFLW) we launched our own team in 2017, celebrating the fact that no girl in Australia would ever need to doubt her ability to play our nation’s great game!

Participation continues to grow and we have several Middle and Senior teams competing in this winter competition played during Terms 2 and 3. Year 5 and 6 students can participate in Term 4. Trainings are held mid-week with matches played on Friday afternoons.

Athletics

Offered as a summer sport, interested students are able to participate in Athletics during Terms 1 and 4. In a joint collaboration with St Peter’s College, trainings are held at the St Peter’s College campus on a weeknight. Students have the option of just training or entering a range of competitions and events. Junior School students are able to participate in Sapsasa Athletics.

Badminton

Offered to students from Years 7 – 12 as a winter sport, our badminton teams train twice a week. This is a highly competitive sport, catering for beginners through to advanced players. Students of all skill levels are welcome! As part of the IGSSA competition, matches are played on Saturday mornings with trainings taking place mid-week.

Basketball

Played all around the world, basketball is an energetic team sport made up of five players per team. Fast moving, the game provides students with the opportunity to develop their teamwork skills as well as improve their physicality in areas such as shooting, dribbling, passing and defence. Students in Years 7 – 12 can join the basketball squad, with both training and matches held after school, rotating on a home and away basis against other school girl teams. Year 5 and 6 students play during the week against other teams as part of the Independent Primary Schools’ competition.

Cross Country Running

For students who enjoy endurance running events and training with other likeminded peers and teachers, the cross country squad will certainly be of interest. Training sessions are held once a week in local Heywood Park and surrounds, in the lead up to the South Australian Cross Country Championships. Year 8 – 12 students are able to compete at the Championships, while students in Years 4 – 7 can compete in the Sapsasa District Cross country event.

Equestrian

Any interested student who rides outside of school is able to join the Walford Equestrian Team. Competitions and clinics are held throughout the year, based on the team’s interest. Students must have their own horse to compete.

Students may qualify for the South Australian Team that competes at the Interschool Equestrian National Championships.

Gymnastics Club

The Gymnastics Club is a popular activity available to all Junior School students. Running in the Walford Sports Centre every Friday after school during Terms 1, 2 and 3, students improve their fitness and develop recreational gymnastics skills in a fun and supportive environment.

Hockey and Minkey

Hockey has enjoyed a long history at Walford with records showing its popularity in the early 1930s. Hockey training occurs during the week with matches played on Saturday mornings.

Minkey is a modified form of hockey played by students in Years 3 to 6. Games are played during the week at Parks Oval and at other primary school venues.

Students require shin pads, mouth guards and their own stick.

Netball and Netta

With a wide range of grades and teams available, Netball at Walford caters to girls of all skill levels. Teams enter a number of different competitions throughout the year and compete against other IGSSA schools on a home and away basis. Netball is played during Terms 2 and 3 with trainings held weekly and matches on a Saturday morning. Years 5 and 6 students plain the Independent Primary Schools’ competition during Term 2 on weeknights.

Netta is a modified version of netball played by younger students. It is a great activity that can help to build hand-eye coordination and the skills for netball. Training is held weekly and teams participate in modified games against other primary schools in Year 3 and 4. Year 1, 2 and 3 students can participate in Term 4.

Pedal Prix

Pedal Prix races are a 24 hour relay format with participants taking their turn to race in their “human powered vehicles” (HPV). The pedal powered vehicles, shaped like a pod, are maintained and serviced by the team as part of the competition.

Pedal Prix encourages participants to problem solve, work as a team and build knowledge. They collaborate to build strategies, and have the opportunity to self-manage their teams and take ownership of Walford’s place in the competition. Girls in Year 11 and 12 are able to assist and coach or mentor younger students.

Sailing

Walford Team Sailing enables students to enjoy the exhilaration of sailing and to develop a competitive squad to compete in events against other schools. Open to students from Years 6 – 12, team sailing is a highly tactical form of sailing, drawing on the use of tactics and team cooperation, making it an ideal sport for this age group.

Trainings are held after school on Fridays (3.40pm – 7pm) at the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club with regattas held over weekends during Terms 4 and 1. Our teams have enjoyed great success and participated regularly in the National Championships.

Strength and Conditioning

Strength and Conditioning is offered all through the school year which is available to students in Years 7 – 12. The aim of the Strength and Conditioning Program is to develop key aspects of fitness that are important to students regardless of their sport of choice, which includes strength, power, speed, agility, mobility and aerobic fitness. Students are able to undertake up to two sessions per week with all sessions supervised by our Strength and Conditioning Coach. As students enter the program in Year 7/8, the focus of these sessions is on the education and safety of their lifting exercises with minimal resistance. As students progress to Year 9/10, a focus is on correct technique as they progress through appropriate exercises for their age and competence. As students then progress to Year 11/12, correct timing, technique, and progression of exercises are a focus where they will have developed a more structured programs for them to undertake.

Soccer

Soccer continues to grow in popularity and the results in the IGSSA competition have seen Walford experience great success. Soccer develops kicking skills, team strategies and team work.

Soccer is offered to girls in Years 7 – 12 during Terms 2 and 3. The matches are played on a home and away basis on Wednesdays after school. Girls in Years 3 – 6 can choose to play soccer in the Independent Primary Schools’ Competition. Trainings are held weekly and our teams play games during Term 3.

Walford’s home ground is Park 17, Greenhill Road. Shin guards are compulsory and soccer boots encouraged.

Tennis and Super Tennis

With a wide range of grades and teams available, tennis at Walford caters to girls of all skill levels.

Teams enter a number of different competitions throughout the year. Players of a competent level, including Junior School girls, compete in the Southern District Competition.

Tennis runs during Terms 1 and 4, with trainings held weekly and matches played on Saturdays.

Super Tennis is a specially designed competition for Junior School students. Under the guidance of professional coaches, girls learn the skills of tennis in a fun, supportive environment.

Swimming

Swimming trainings are held in the school pool in Terms 1 and 4 for both squad members and students wanting to improve their fitness levels.

There are a number of opportunities for girls to compete against other schools in competitions as well as an intra-school Carnival which caters to different skill levels. Trials are held early in the year to determine the squads and grades for competition.

Swimming is also part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum from Reception to Year 12, with lessons taking place in the School pool in the summer season.

Volleyball

Volleyball is a highly popular sport at Walford, offered to students in Years 7 – 12 during Terms 1 and 4. With trainings occurring weekly in the Walford Sports Centre, the space is well equipped to facilitate multiple team trainings and match play. Trainings occur weekly and matches are played on Saturday mornings on a home and away basis.

Water Polo

Water Polo runs in Terms 1 and 4, and is open to girls from Years 8 – 12. This competitive and highly physical team sport builds strength, endurance, speed and agility. Students who wish to participate in water polo must be proficient swimmers due to the depth of the pool. Matches are played each Thursday at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre.