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Gonville House Takes on 24 Sports in 24 Hours

Inspired by some of the activities and house sports that the Gonvillians love at the weekends, the Gonville house council decided to attempt to play 24 different sports for an hour each over 24 hours. With exams looming and some weekend trips booked in for later in the term, the house decided to start at 4pm last Saturday, April 24.

The boys signed up to as many or as few events as they wished, but the more people who took part, the more calories we burnt (and pupils had guessed the number as part of our fundraiser).

While cricket matches were still a good way from completion and buses were returning from tennis and athletics, we began with basketball. This was followed by running, tennis, hockey, water polo, football, netball, golf, pool, table tennis, darts, rowing, cycling, squash, fives, padel, cricket, sailing, windsurfing, volleyball, lacrosse, mountain biking and rugby. We all finished with a tug o’war competition between the house squads and a fantastic barbeque at 4pm on Sunday 25.

A cricket player from Gonville House in full protective kit bats in an indoor practice net. Multiple red cricket balls are scattered on the floor around the mat, and beige curtains hang behind the sports player.    Three young people play indoor lacrosse at Gonville House; one player in dark shorts swings a stick while being defended by a player in pink and navy, as a third watches near the goal during this fast-paced sports match.   

A group of boys in sports kits from Gonville House are playing rugby on a green field, enjoying the thrill of sport under the open sky.    A group of boys from Gonville House playing tug of war on a grassy field, pulling on a rope with effort. Houses and trees with blooming flowers are visible in the background during the 24 sports event.

A person swings a golf club in an indoor golf simulator at Gonville House, aiming at a digital course projected on a screen. Green artificial turf and golf equipment are visible as part of the 24 Sports experience.    A group of people stand in a queue at an outdoor Gonville House barbecue, serving themselves food from tables with salads, cutlery, and condiments on a grassy area in daylight. Some are holding plates and chatting.

The boys were exhausted but proud, as they had raised around £1300 for the Beachy Head Chaplaincy. This charity has been chosen this year as it does such wonderful work to help people in our local area. It is especially important to the boys as our matron, Tanya, volunteers there on her day off, an inspiring example of service in our community.

This event also celebrated the wonderful array of sports that the boys are able to try and, perhaps, finesse while at Eastbourne College. Participation is a central value of the school, the belief that pupils have richer lives and become more open-minded by trying new things and realising you can enjoy something without being at an academy standard. Weekends at school should certainly have rest and down time, but there should also be time to do something silly, entertaining or challenging as a group. I think that 24 sports was mostly a silly idea, but so rewarding.

Many thanks must go to Padel4All at Saffrons for allowing us use of a court and also to Buzz Active for allowing a couple of sailors and windsurfers to join their Sunday programme of activities. Well done to Felix M who competed in 12 of the 24 sports and was crowned top sportathlete. In the end we combined to about 260 hours of sport and, very roughly, 130,000 calories burnt.

I wonder if we will be back at it next year with a new target and some added sports.

– The Gonville Housemaster

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