Opportunities for individual and team games in sport abound at Loretto, forming a significant part of School life, often laying the foundations of a healthy lifestyle and an enjoyment of all life can offer.

Personal skill development and associated self-esteem are quietly encouraged, while spirit and leadership are nurtured through team games and outward bound activities.

Loretto's major sports are:

*Athletics, Cross-country running and Swimming are also an important part of the core curriculum.

Loretto's minor sports are:

Loretto has a strong team of dedicates sports coaches which it supplements with external sports coaching from visiting professionals.

Minor sports are played during sport sessions and as part of the extensive daily games and activities programme. See activities programme.

The number of sport teams makes it possible for all who show an aptitude for a sport to represent the School at some suitable level. Matches are played in most of the major and minor sports at times which allow a pupil to play both for a major and a minor sport team.

Loretto's long-standing fine reputation for team games is matched by a strong emphasis on fair play. Playing well is seen as being as much about decency to the opposition and team mates as it is about winning.

The extensive area of playing field close to the boarding houses means that pupils are able to take advantage of the pitches for informal recreation in their spare time as well as for the formal games programme. Similarly the Sports Hall, Fitness Centre and the Swimming Pool may be used in spare time, subject to suitable supervision. The all-weather sports pitch (astro) is not only a great asset for hockey but also gives a floodlit, recreational field available when grass is unfit to be played on, or when it is dark.

Loretto offers a wide range of sport scholarhships for talented sports players. Scholarships are up to 50% off fees and can be supplemeted with means-tested bursaries.

Sport

Director of Sport: David Burton
David is Director of Sports at Loretto and as such has extensive experience in all areas, and has coached Rugby at County level.

Head of Girls' Sport: Jenny Fletcher
Jennifer is Head of Girls Games and is a House Mistress at Loretto. She coaches Tennis, Lacrosse and Level 2 Hockey. Jennifer has coached East District Hockey and was Manager of the Scotland Under 19 Lacrosse Squad.

Head of Rugby: Daniel H Rossouw
Originally from South Africa, Daniel is Head of Rugby and Deputy Director of Sport at Loretto. His coaching qualifications cover Rugby, Swimming and Tennis.

Director of Cricket : Michael Powell
Michael Powell former Captain of Warwickshire Country Cricket Club and an England A player, is the new Director of Cricket at Loretto. He has ambitious plans to develop the cricket department in to a centre of excellence for cricket at the school. Michael has had a distinguished, 15 year cricket career as a professional with Warwickshire CCC. In 2001 he was appointed Captain of Warwickshire and led them to victory in the Benson and Hedges Cup. Michael played for England A in 2003.

Director of Golf: Rick Valentine
Rick Valentine was born in Dubai and raised in England where he pursued many sports before completing a Sports Science Degree. After university he moved to the USA to attend the San Diego Golf Academy to work on his own game, as well as to achieve an Associate degree in Golf Complex Management and Golf Professional. From here he moved to Hong Kong and pursued his amateur career for three years. In this time he represented Hong Kong in the Eisenhower Trophy (World Amateur Team Championships), Namura Cup (Asia Pacific Team Championships) and Putra Cup (South East Asia Team Championships) as well as many other international events. During this time he also won the China Amateur in 2000 as well as being the leading amateur in the Hong Kong Open for both 2001 and 2002. Having returned to the UK early in 2003 he competed in the Qualifying School for the Euro Pro Tour; he won a card and turned professional.

Director of Hockey - Stephen Dick
Since making his Scotland debut in 2004, 23-year-old Stephen has had 99 senior caps for Scotland and GB. He has had 70 appearances for Scotland and 29 for Great Britain, for whom he also scored on his debut. In addition to being a member of the team that secured Olympic qualification in Chile 2008, Stephen played at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and has also played in Commonwealth Games, and the European Championships. Stephen plays mid field and has scored 31 goals in international games. At Loretto he teaches hockey and physical education. He is also captain at Inverleith Hockey Club where he has played since the age of 12.

Sport: Dennis Dickinson
Dennis was Director of Sports at the Junior School before moving to the Senior School and has been teaching sport and PE at Loretto for 20 years. He holds national coaching qualifications in Rugby, Hockey and Cricket.

Visiting professional coaches:

Rugby - Andy Douglas is an ESSP elite rugby coach and is a member of the West Lothian Council/Scottish Rugby Union.
Jamie Parker is a lecturer in sports coaching and rugby performance, a Coach of Edinburgh U17, Played Scottish Schools, League and Cup winner with Hawick RFC, and is also current ly a member of Heriots 1^st XV).

Sports safety

The recent tragic rugby injury at another Scottish school has thrown into sharp focus the dangers of contact sport. The PE department have reviewed our procedures regarding sports safety and we remain in line with good practice in this area. Mr Burton, the Director of Sport has produced the following statement - October 2008:

All sports, contact and non-contact carry the risk of accident and injury. We are mindful of the dangers and take necessary precautions, based on professional guidance from Governing Bodies. Measures include:

• Coaches have necessary coaching experience and training.
• Safety guidelines as laid down by Governing Body are followed.
• Compulsory wearing of mouthguards enforced for rugby, hockey and lacrosse.
• Compulsory wearing of helmets enforced for cricket.
• Recommended wearing of protective body armour and head wear as stipulated legal by the International Rugby Board..
• Matches refereed by personnel who have attended relevant courses or are Referee Society affiliated.
• Many Staff are first aid trained and a rolling training programme exists.
• Qualified medical staff in attendance at pitchside for home rugby matches.
• Training methods include safe techniques for contact elements of the game.
• All injuries are reported and recorded centrally and through the school medical centre.
• Risk Assessments for all sporting activities
• Affiliation to National Governing Bodies.