Since its foundation, Copthorne Prep has had a strong sporting tradition. Overview With excellent facilities and a high standard of coaching, all of the children get a chance to test their skills to the full. The main winter games for boys are football, rugby and hockey and in the summer they receive coaching in cricket. The girls play netball and hockey in the winter and rounders in the summer. The girls also have their own football and rugby teams who compete in local tournaments. Girls and boys join together to participate in athletics, swimming and tennis. During coaching sessions, there is an emphasis on the acquisition of skills and pupils are encouraged to adopt a determined but fair approach to their sport. Sporting Facilities There are two excellent playing fields that boast three cricket pitches and five football and rugby pitches. The all weather surface provides space for three netball courts and four tennis courts and the modern sports hall houses a tennis court, netball court, four badminton courts and two cricket nets. Teams from all age groups and all levels of ability compete against other local schools. All children are encouraged to compete and Copthorne has an excellent record in inter-school competition. Recent success at national level in both athletics and swimming, county representatives in netball, hockey and cricket and numerous district and club players show that sport at Copthorne Prep is thriving. For more information on individual sports see below: FootballYears 2-6 boys play football in the Autumn Term and girls in the Spring Term with competitive fixturesRugbyYears 2-6 boys play rugby in the Autumn and Spring Terms with competitive fixturesHockeyYears 2-6 boys play hockey in the Spring Term and girls in the Autumn Term with competitive fixturesNetballYears 2-6 girls play netball in the Autumn and Spring Terms with competitive fixturesCricketYears 2-6 boys and girls do athletics and play cricket in the Summer TermSwimmingAll Year groups have swimming lessons once a week in our own indoor pool.OtherBadminton, Basketball, Gymnastics, Cross Country and Tennis are covered throughout the year in PE lessons with competitive fixtures in cross country and tennis. Come and experience for yourself what makes a Copthorne education unique. We would love to welcome you our School at an upcoming visitor morning or private tour. Book your visit Latest Sport news 27th March 2026 New Academy Programme with Crystal Palace FC Caterham School proudly celebrated the launch of its new Football Academy Programme this week, delivered in partnership with Crystal Palace FC’s Palace for Life Foundation. The event brought together pupils… Co-curricular Sport 27th March 2026 Gold at Pennthorpe Cross Country Relay The squad enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of competition at the Pennthorpe Cross Country Relays this week. This was the first time the school had been invited to take part in… Sport 13th March 2026 Years 5&6 Dig Deep Cross Country The Year 5 and 6 pupils took part in the Cross Country Relay event at Ardingly on Friday 6 March demonstrating outstanding resilience and team spirit in what can only… Sport 13th March 2026 Copthorne Girls Football Match Report Fixtures against Cottesmore are always eagerly anticipated, with the local derby atmosphere adding extra excitement to every encounter. This week’s set of matches lived up to that tradition and allowed… Sport 6th March 2026 Cross Country Relay The Cross Country Relay event held at Ardingly on Friday 27 February was a memorable and spirited occasion for all involved. Despite the very muddy conditions and persistent rainfall, our… Sport 27th February 2026 Pride at Girls’ Football Fixture Under glorious sunshine, we were ready for an afternoon defined not just by skill, but by wonderful team play and an outstanding sense of togetherness. Great Walstead provided strong opposition,… Sport 27th February 2026 Junior Boys Hockey v Caterham The Junior Boys enjoyed an afternoon of mini hockey against Caterham, playing four evenly matched 5v5 mixed-ability games. All the boys showed great effort and teamwork, with James, Gabe and… Sport 13th February 2026 Girls Head to Football Season Opener The first fixture of the season is always met with a sense of anticipation, and this afternoon’s triangular event at Lancing Prep, Hove was no exception. The girls travelled with… Sport View all