Friends’ has a proud tradition of providing a wealth of extra-curricular opportunities, covering a broad range of activities to allow pupils a choice about how they can further develop their skills, interests and passions outside of the classroom.
Sports
Extra-Curricular
Sports
Participation levels are high with many notable individual and team successes. All pupils are encouraged to represent the wider Friends’ team through competitive fixtures for a number of different sports.
Outdoor Facilities
- 2 floodlit Astroturf hockey pitches
- 3 rugby pitches
- 2 cricket wickets
- 3 astro-turf tennis courts
Indoor Facilities
- Old School Gymnasium
- Sports hall, with spectator balcony
- Indoor changing
- Disabled changing and toilet
- Fitness suite
Activities
There is a well-established rugby tradition at Friends’ School with the coaching staff giving up a considerable amount of time both after school and on Saturdays to develop the individual and team skills of the players at all age levels. Each new season brings new team members and new challenges, with every coach and team looking for ways to improve and move forward.
Friend’s School field seven rugby teams from 1st XV to U12s on a regular basis playing Saturday fixtures against comparable Ulster schools while midweek fixtures are organised for “B” teams and the 3rd XV where possible.
Year 8 boys participate in rugby during games mornings (opting for rugby or hockey in September), extra-curricular practice and Saturday morning matches. U13, U14 and Medallion squads have a games afternoon as well as two after school practice while the Senior squad train on Monday and Thursday alongside Wednesday Games.
Senior Players have access to a state of the art fitness suite and outdoor conditioning equipment and are encouraged to follow a training programme best suited to their individual needs.
The 1st XV, 2nd XV and Medallion XV all enter the various Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ cup/ Shield competitions during the second term with the respective draws taking place in November. The new School’s Cup format has the potential to provide more meaningful fixtures and we looking forward to the season.
Friends’ School annually have players in attendance at the various Ulster Regional Development Squads and hope to continue this trend for the years ahead.
Touring and rugby development play an integral part of Friends’ rugby at all levels and both junior and senior tours have in the past laid firm foundations for solid and successful seasons.
Boys’ Hockey is one of the major sports at Friends’ School with over 100 boys representing the school each year. We field teams from U12 to 1st XI and have enjoyed much success over the years with the highlight being the record of 20 Burney Cup wins.
Friends’ pupils regularly represent Ireland and Ulster at underage level and a number go on to gain recognition at international level. In 1988 Jim Kirkwood won an Olympic Gold medal while representing GB Hockey in the Seoul Olympics and more recently Jonny Bell played in the Ireland team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
We have the benefit of 2 synthetic hockey pitches on our school site and this allows us to maximise our time on the pitch after-school and on Saturday mornings. We have a number of qualified coaches on our teaching staff and along with our external coaches and former pupils they ensure that pupils develop in a fun and enjoyable environment.
Girls’ hockey in Friends’ is thriving, with 6 senior and 7 junior teams training and playing in weekly fixtures. Each year some of the girls are selected to represent their province at the Interprovincial levels and also represent Ireland U16 and U18 teams.
Past pupil Caroline Craig continued onto represent Ireland women in the World Cup. Friends’ have a long tradition in hockey and are always competitive in the various cup competitions. Most recently in the 2023-24 season the U14 team won the Junior Superleague, the 1st XI won the Senior Shield and the 3rd XI won the Gibson Plate.
We have a range of dedicated coaches and umpires to support the girls from our teaching staff, as well as former staff and pupils. We strive to meet the needs of every player both at competitive and recreational level. Our goal is to enhance each player’s skills and fitness, helping them reach their full potential. Together, as a team, we aim to play the highest standard of hockey while ensuring everyone enjoys the game.
Weekly after school practices are held for all teams throughout the season and these practices are open to all pupils. The school has two cricket pitches both of which have an artificial wicket. Indoor training is also accommodated through the provision of two indoor nets within the school Sportshall.
Netball is very popular and successful at Friends’ and is offered to all girls. Practices are arranged to enable all girls to play both hockey and netball. Netball takes place four afternoons each week Year 8, Minors (Y9), Juniors (Y10) Intermediates (Y11 & 12) and Seniors (Y13 & 14). In addition on Saturday mornings Year 8 girls are welcome to take part in a full morning of sport with both netball and hockey on offer. The girls are coached by Mrs Gemma Hamilton, a past pupil of Friends’ who gained NI representative honours. Whilst still playing at club level Mrs Hamilton is also recognised as a talented coach and umpire with Netball NI.
All teams are compete in the NI Cup/Shield and Area League competitions, competing against schools from across the province, as well as participating in the Lisburn Development league. Teams are competing in both Blitz style competitions and matches in their cup and shield runs.
Friends’ is currently represented by year 12 pupils Aiofe Mackle and Sienna McCartney on the NI U17 Training squad and year 10 pupils Georgia Thomas and Ruth Biggart on the NI U15 South East RDA Squad.
Previous notable recent representation by past pupils:
Rachel Morton playing for the Senior Open Squad
Athletics (including Cross Country)
Badminton
Tennis
Golf
Swimming
Table tennis
Dance
Equestrian
There is a well-established rugby tradition at Friends’ School with the coaching staff giving up a considerable amount of time both after school and on Saturdays to develop the individual and team skills of the players at all age levels. Each new season brings new team members and new challenges, with every coach and team looking for ways to improve and move forward.
Friend’s School field seven rugby teams from 1st XV to U12s on a regular basis playing Saturday fixtures against comparable Ulster schools while midweek fixtures are organised for “B” teams and the 3rd XV where possible.
Year 8 boys participate in rugby during games mornings (opting for rugby or hockey in September), extra-curricular practice and Saturday morning matches. U13, U14 and Medallion squads have a games afternoon as well as two after school practice while the Senior squad train on Monday and Thursday alongside Wednesday Games.
Senior Players have access to a state of the art fitness suite and outdoor conditioning equipment and are encouraged to follow a training programme best suited to their individual needs.
The 1st XV, 2nd XV and Medallion XV all enter the various Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ cup/ Shield competitions during the second term with the respective draws taking place in November. The new School’s Cup format has the potential to provide more meaningful fixtures and we looking forward to the season.
Friends’ School annually have players in attendance at the various Ulster Regional Development Squads and hope to continue this trend for the years ahead.
Touring and rugby development play an integral part of Friends’ rugby at all levels and both junior and senior tours have in the past laid firm foundations for solid and successful seasons.
Boys’ Hockey is one of the major sports at Friends’ School with over 100 boys representing the school each year. We field teams from U12 to 1st XI and have enjoyed much success over the years with the highlight being the record of 20 Burney Cup wins.
Friends’ pupils regularly represent Ireland and Ulster at underage level and a number go on to gain recognition at international level. In 1988 Jim Kirkwood won an Olympic Gold medal while representing GB Hockey in the Seoul Olympics and more recently Jonny Bell played in the Ireland team at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
We have the benefit of 2 synthetic hockey pitches on our school site and this allows us to maximise our time on the pitch after-school and on Saturday mornings. We have a number of qualified coaches on our teaching staff and along with our external coaches and former pupils they ensure that pupils develop in a fun and enjoyable environment.
Girls’ hockey in Friends’ is thriving, with 6 senior and 7 junior teams training and playing in weekly fixtures. Each year some of the girls are selected to represent their province at the Interprovincial levels and also represent Ireland U16 and U18 teams.
Past pupil Caroline Craig continued onto represent Ireland women in the World Cup. Friends’ have a long tradition in hockey and are always competitive in the various cup competitions. Most recently in the 2023-24 season the U14 team won the Junior Superleague, the 1st XI won the Senior Shield and the 3rd XI won the Gibson Plate.
We have a range of dedicated coaches and umpires to support the girls from our teaching staff, as well as former staff and pupils. We strive to meet the needs of every player both at competitive and recreational level. Our goal is to enhance each player’s skills and fitness, helping them reach their full potential. Together, as a team, we aim to play the highest standard of hockey while ensuring everyone enjoys the game.
Weekly after school practices are held for all teams throughout the season and these practices are open to all pupils. The school has two cricket pitches both of which have an artificial wicket. Indoor training is also accommodated through the provision of two indoor nets within the school Sportshall.
Netball is very popular and successful at Friends’ and is offered to all girls. Practices are arranged to enable all girls to play both hockey and netball. Netball takes place four afternoons each week Year 8, Minors (Y9), Juniors (Y10) Intermediates (Y11 & 12) and Seniors (Y13 & 14). In addition on Saturday mornings Year 8 girls are welcome to take part in a full morning of sport with both netball and hockey on offer. The girls are coached by Mrs Gemma Hamilton, a past pupil of Friends’ who gained NI representative honours. Whilst still playing at club level Mrs Hamilton is also recognised as a talented coach and umpire with Netball NI.
All teams are compete in the NI Cup/Shield and Area League competitions, competing against schools from across the province, as well as participating in the Lisburn Development league. Teams are competing in both Blitz style competitions and matches in their cup and shield runs.
Friends’ is currently represented by year 12 pupils Aiofe Mackle and Sienna McCartney on the NI U17 Training squad and year 10 pupils Georgia Thomas and Ruth Biggart on the NI U15 South East RDA Squad.
Previous notable recent representation by past pupils:
Rachel Morton playing for the Senior Open Squad
Athletics (including Cross Country)
Badminton
Tennis
Golf
Swimming
Table tennis
Dance
Equestrian
School / Club Links
Friends’ has strong links across many different sports with local clubs. Past and current pupils play sport in local clubs, such as Lisburn Racquets club, Kingsway and Laganside Netball clubs, Lisburn, Ballynahinch and Dromore Rugby clubs, Downshire Tennis club, Lisnagarvey, Pegasus and South Antrim Hockey clubs to name but a few. By promoting School/Club links we encourage pupils to see the value in continuing to participate in sporting and physical activity throughout their lives.
Our grounds are used by Lisburn cricket teams and South Antrim Hockey Club is based at school. Ulster Hockey and Ulster Rugby regularly use our grounds and facilities for fixtures and training. External coaches from clubs such as Derriaghy Cricket and Lisburn City Swimming regularly share their expertise and help pupils hone their skills. Opportunities and pathways are made available for all – whether for aspiring future internationals or for those who participate as part of a healthy lifestyle.
“Long after the wins and losses, you’ll remember your teammates and coaches; the bus journeys and team talks. You’ll remember how you had each others back. You’ll remember the relationships and how you needed each other, but most of all…..you will remember how fortunate you were to be part of the FSL team”