Legacy of grit and glory

FOR more than 65 years, the spirit of sport has been thriving at Shiplake College.

From the banks of the River Thames to the pitches and astros that dot the campus, sport has forged a unique and enduring legacy that extends far beyond the final whistle or the school gates.

As the college celebrates this milestone, it’s a moment to reflect on the deep-rooted values that have defined generations, the impact and opportunities it has unveiled and how the passion founded in those formative years went on to shape lives.

Headmaster Tyrone Howe crystallises what the legacy of sport at Shiplake has truly given. He said: “It’s more than what happens on the river, the netball court or the rugby pitch... it teaches values that stay with people for life. Shared experiences bond people and bring communities together.

“Over the years we have grown as a school, but the message has never changed — it’s about character, teamwork and lifelong lessons and every generation has proudly left its own legacy.”

The personal stories from alumni echo this sentiment, each one a testament to the profound impact of their time at Shiplake. Martin Tomlinson MBE (1969 leaver) recalls the aspirations of his youth. He said: “As juniors, we used to look at who was heading off to represent the school in their team tops... I used to think ‘I want to be able to do that one day’.”

His journey is a powerful example of dedication and ambition, from playing first team rugby to being a part of the very first eight men’s boat, borrowed from Henley’s famous Leander Club.

The core belief in hard work and team effort is a recurring theme. John Falk (1971 leaver) sums up the competitive spirit with a simple, powerful philosophy. He said: “We always wanted to win... if you can work hard, know that the rest of the team is with you and put your nose down — you are going to succeed.”

This relentless pursuit of excellence, underpinned by unwavering teamwork, is a lesson that has served countless alumni well in life.

For Ben Hunt-Davis (1990 leaver), an Olympic champion, his time at Shiplake was a pivotal launchpad for his remarkable career. He recalls how the experience and confidence he gained propelled him on to Henley Royal Regatta and Olympic success. The legacy came full circle for him this year as he watched his own son, Luca, take the Henley Royal Regatta Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. He said: “Sport has been a critical thread through my life. For decades, giving children confidence is what Shiplake has done so well — it’s got a special place in my heart.”

The pride of representing the school is a feeling that stays with you forever. Max Tilney (1991 leaver) speaks of the passion he developed for sport while at Shiplake. Tilney said: “The foundations it sets for you, putting on the first team shirt — that was such a proud moment.”

Now, as a Shiplake parent, he has the unique joy of watching his son proudly wear that very same shirt, during a rugby tour to South Africa, another poignant connection across generations. His passion is also evident through his decades long support of Henley Rugby Club and his business, The Sports Commentators.

The lessons learned on the field and the river are often the most profound. Chris Kemp (1997 leaver) reflects on his journey. Kemp said: “Sport has shaped my life — from my early memories captaining teams, Shiplake gave me the confidence and belief to lead. This helped me immensely in setting up my own business — I don’t think I would have done this without those experiences.”

His story is a powerful reminder that the skills of leadership, resilience and teamwork are directly transferable from the playing field to the professional world.

Nick Brown (former staff, 1991 to 2023) who played a pivotal role in sport and pastoral care at Shiplake, highlights the inclusive nature of sport at Shiplake, from player development through to the significant advances in girls’ sport. Brown said: “The most satisfying thing is seeing pupils develop. Seeing that C team player go on a journey and then walk out in a first team shirt is something quite exceptional.”

This sentiment is shared by his sons, Ian and Ollie Brown (2013 and 2018 leavers respectively), who grew up on the school grounds and were inspired by what they saw. Brown recalled: “Watching the games on the front field inspired me to want to put the shirt on one day. Both have gone on to play pivotal roles at the college, as well as in their own sports-related businesses, supporting athlete development and providing medical support across multiple sports.”

The memories are not just of winning, but of the bonds formed and the sheer enjoyment of the experience. Emily Downing (2024 leaver) recalls the rowing training camps with a sense of immense pride. Downing said: “It was very competitive. You knew if you got to wear the colours you had worked hard for it. It was a privilege — but also so much fun.”

For Jaden Laing-Buck (2025 leaver), who joined Shiplake in Year 12, the experience was transformative. Having never played rugby before, he describes the feeling of playing the sport as “like nothing I’ve experienced in my whole life”. His incredible journey led him to a rugby tour in South Africa, creating “the best memories of my life so far”. His mantra of “Always say yes” certainly proves that every opportunity taken can open doors to incredible experiences — showcasing how sport is such a unique and rewarding gateway to this.

In conclusion, headmaster Mr Howe looks to the future with great optimism. He said: “We’d like to thank everyone in our whole community for the early morning starts, standing pitch-side in the rain, every win and every loss — it’s all made up the incredible journey so far. Who knows what the next 65 years will bring — (we hope) more cheers at Henley Royal Regatta, further development of girls’ sport and continuing to ensure every Shiplake pupil has the opportunity to take part and thrive in sport.”

To celebrate this enduring legacy, the college has a number of events going on throughout the year welcoming our whole community. This includes a Festival of Sport on September 13, a High Performance Parenting Talk on Tuesday, September 16 on how best parents can support their children with their sporting commitments and goals, and a business lunch, “Careers in Sport”, on Thursday, October 9.

These in-person and online events are a great opportunity to celebrate and share our passion for sport and hear from alumni, parents and friends of the College about a career with sport at its heart — connected@shiplake.org.uk

To find out more about sport at Shiplake including scholarships and bursaries available please contact registrar@shiplake.org.uk