With Rugby currently at the forefront of our minds, Beni Giles discusses what our younger generation have in store for us in the future.

As you may have established by the name, sport is an enormous part of the First Eleven Magazine ethos. We want to hear who is winning, who is on tour, who is playing who etc. This term is probably the most testing school sports season of the year. Students will be enduring a gruelling (and cold!) few months of Rugby or Hockey.

Last season proved to be a success for many public school teams and students. Namely, Gresham’s School third former Amy Martin who competed in the National Schools' Athletics Championships in Birmingham last July. One of only 25 athletes selected to participate in the competition, Amy secured her place following her outstanding performance at the East Schools' Athletics Championships where she won the Junior Girls' High Jump after clearing a height of 1m 58cm. Young athletes like this provide much hope for the future.

Many ex-public school students have gone on to great things in the sports world. Only recently, Old Uppinghamian Dan Hipkiss was playing for the England Rugby squad in the Rugby World Cup 2007. It seems we are safe for the future as well, with twelve boys from private education getting into this season’s England under 18’s rugby squads. The budding young players have been groomed for England by such schools as Tonbridge, Oakham and 4 from Sedburgh among others. With the standard of Rugby in Public Schools constantly surpassing itself due to fantastic facilities and training, this school season promises to be an exciting one.

First Eleven are keen to hear all the news of your school teams. Please keep us informed of events, matches, scores and anything else you think may be of interest. Also, we are keen to get into sponsorship.