Grays Teamsports

A Year to remember. 2024 Highlights from Carl Bailey, Global Head of Education, Grays International. As we reflect on 2024, I want to take a moment to share what has been an extraordinary year for the Education Division. Despite the unprecedented challenges we’ve faced – from changes in government policy, including the impending 20% VAT on UK independent school fees, to the global cost-of-living crisis affecting families and schools alike – we have persevered and thrived. This year, we doubled down on our commitment to supporting our school partners and their communities. I’m proud to report another year of exceptional success. Strengthening Partnerships Our flagship school program has gone from strength to strength. The re-signing of key partners like Clifton College, University College School, The King's School, Canterbury and Felsted School demonstrates the trust our schools place in us. These multi-year agreements, including the landmark 7-year partnership with St Dunstan's College in London and the signing of our flagship University, Canterbury Christ Church University (Christ Church Sport & Active Health) underscore the value and impact of our program with further announcements to follow in the New Year! Celebrating Sporting Excellence Our existing partners, including John Lyon School, Mill Hill School, Duke of York’s Military School, Worth School, Stockport Grammar, Stamford school and Woodhouse Grove have had tremendous sporting achievements this year, all of which has been tremendously promoted and showcased via our social media. A special mention goes to Gosfield School, which has transformed its sports program in just three years to become ISA National Winners for sport in 2024 – a testament to the power of collaboration. This success reflects our dedication to fostering participation at all levels, from grassroots to elite athletes. Together with Directors of Sport, parents, pupils, and principals, we’ve worked tirelessly to ensure our schools stay ahead in an increasingly competitive environment. Acknowledgments None of this would be possible without the unwavering dedication of the Grays team. From our ambassadors to the incredible staff behind the scenes – every individual has played a vital role in our successes this year. To our head office teams, warehouse staff, embellishment experts, designers, product developers, order processors, and accounts team: your hard work does not go unnoticed. Together, you ensure that Grays Teamsports remains the No. 1 complete sports solution provider for our school partners. Looking Ahead As we close the chapter on 2024, I couldn’t be more optimistic about the future. The groundwork we’ve laid this year promises an even brighter 2025 and 2026. Thank you all – our schools, partners, parents, and pupils – for being part of something truly unique. I look forward to working together as we continue this incredible journey. Here’s to a bright and successful New Year! Warm regards, Carl Bailey

What a Term! Review of the Michaelmas term - Phil Greenaway, Schools' Consultant, Grays International. The Michaelmas Term has been another busy one for our partner schools' and it has been wonderful to continue to able to see so many pupils engaged in sport and physical activity. The Youth Sport Trust figures released this week revealed a continued rise in obesity levels in young people, a continued rise in mental health issues and schools' continuing to face major challenges. The impact of VAT on private schools remains an unknown, the recent National Insurance rise and the cost of living continue to challenge budgets across the independent schools' sector. Despite all of that, the schools' we work with continue to put physical activity at the forefront of their provision recognising the vital part it plays in keeping young people healthy and setting them up for success beyond their time in formal education. Rugby continues to thrive in the schools' sector with female rugby programmes bucking the trend of lower playing numbers, and it was fantastic to be part of the Jason Robinson Foundation launch event and hear from Rocky Clarke and Jason himself on the impact that the game has had on their lives. The inaugural John Fisher state school tournament was an event that we were delighted to be part of. State school rugby remains a vital part of the rugby ecosystem and we look forward to continuing that support next year, as well as continuing to offer support to all rugby playing schools. We have seen some wonderful rugby played this term and whilst I am determined to enjoy the festive break, I am already excited by the 7's and 10's season next term. Teachers across the sector should be applauded for their dedication to getting pupils active. They are working hard to continue to overcome the hurdles faced in order to provide wonderful opportunities for all pupils by being creative and adapting continuously. As a company, we are continuing to adapt in similar fashion to demands from schools', pupils and parents. We are working hard to adapt our online offering, by becoming a far more eco friendly organisation and being price sensitive to the current climate. Our ability to offer playing kit for all sports on offer in the schools', that is price competitive alongside our world leading equipment offering - through our four brands; means we remain at the forefront of the offering in the schools market. Here’s to Spring 2025 and working closely with the GTS Team! Warm regards, Phil Greenaway

We are thrilled and very proud to announce our continued partnership with our longstanding flagship school, The King's School, Canterbury. #completesportssolution #flagship #teamwear #stayinginthefamily #schools

We are thrilled and very proud to announce our continued partnership with our longstanding flagship school, Felsted School . #completesportssolution #flagship #teamwear #stayinginthefamily #schools

Here is our Wednesday round up for the last time this term. Our schools have been so busy and shown no signs of slowing down as they reach the end of term! Let’s kick off with some outstanding action shots of Collegiate School’s Girls’ 1st team in their final game of the season. 📸Dieter Lloyd We also have a very impressive judo superstar from Collegiate School, James, who won bronze in the British championships! Worth School U14A Rugby team in their iconic match kit, with a very impressive 7/9 win rate this season. The King's School, Canterbury tennis team gained a cup win after a very tough fixture. LADY ELEANOR HOLLES SCHOOL vs St Dunstan's College in a netball head to head. An outstanding performance at the Independent Schools Association (ISA) National Swimming Finals from the Gosfield School swim team. And we round off with the Gosfield School U14 Netball team in their eye-catching, starry, sublimated Gilbert Netball dresses. #schools #wednesdayshoutout #teamwear #youbringthepassion #thatsawrap

Spotlight on one of our newer members of the flagship programme - Canterbury Christ Church University. Here are their nominated sporting highlights of the term: Tom Marshall - Sports Coaching student - “Winning the final at Westbrom on pens for palace was a a big highlight of my career”. May 17th , National Football Youth Cup at the Hawthorns Westbrom Stadium. Josiah Thomas -Physical Education Sport and Exercise Science student - “Results is not always what keeps you going, it’s the passion”. London Area Competition, May 2024 at the University of East London. Josiah placed 3rd and got bronze. However, he also archived his black belt. Dan Thomas - Sport & Exercise Science student - “It was the first league game of the season, making my debut for Rochester City playing against Greenways Aces at their ground. I went on to score a well-taken volley to win the game 3-2 with 10 minutes to go.” Faye Wills - PhD Education student - “We came home with the Women’s Bronze in the Match of Nations, which I’m really proud of for my first international GB cap.” European Championships, Pevidem, Portugal. Stein Umelue - Paramedic Science Student - BUCS Game against Essex, November 2024 – “Hard work beats talent but nothing beats Stein” Jordan Simmonett - Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation student - “Returning an interception for the East Kent Mavericks in the 2023 National Championship game”. Britbowl (AF National Championship), at Butts Park in Coventry, September. We’re incredibly proud to see such inspiring accomplishments from Canterbury Christ Church University students across diverse sports and competitions. These moments are a testament to their hard work, passion, and resilience both on and off the field. Welcome to the flagship programme—we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this talented group of athletes! Canterbury Christ Church University James Cook #sportingexcellence #flagship #CCCUSport

At Grays we recognise that the true potential of sports extends far beyond the field or court. It's about fostering a sense of teamwork, discipline and growth. Our Flagship Schools Program embodies our commitment to nurturing the athletes of tomorrow and creating an environment where every student has the opportunity to excel at one of our schools. The Flagship Schools' Program is more than just a partnership. It's a dynamic initiative that brings the full force of our brand's expertise to our schools' and educational partners offering a multitude of unique benefits. These benefits include professional coaching clinic's that empower and support staff and students, content days where our creative team visit the school and create an on location shoot, ambassador visits, stadium visits and experiences, collaboration opportunities and much, much more.

We are thrilled and very proud to announce our continued partnership with our longstanding flagship school, University College School. #completesportssolution #flagship #teamwear #stayinginthefamily #schools

Grays Teamsports is proud to be one of the foremost names in sport within the education sector, providing an unrivalled complete sporting solution to schools'. From Rugby and Netball to rowing, cricket, football, hockey, athletics, triathlon, cycling, golf, lacrosse, squash, fitness, dance, tennis and basketball, plus many more. The Brands comprehensive sporting solutions are unparalleled. We handle everything from start to finish. Our dedicated SMU (special Make Up) team will work with you to get your Grays Teamwear exactly right. We'll assist you on every step of the journey, from garment and fabric selection to colour management. If you would like to know more, please contact us at hello@grays-int.co.uk Alternatively you can contact our Global Head of Education Carl Bailey to talk all things Teamwear, schools', flagship and more. 📸 Mill Hill School #schools #teamwear #completesportssolution

After the success of featuring our Wednesday round up on LinkedIn as well as our socials, here we are with this week's highlights. We love our network of schools' getting in touch with their sporting achievements from the week, so in order here is this weeks top selection: We kicked this week off with another inspirational post, this time from the rugby training squad at The King's School, Canterbury. Collegiate School 1st XV vs Prior Park. 📸 Dieter Lloyd (Instagram handle - @manaboutoffice). Leweston School Annual X-Country races, which was renamed this year after the dedicated, long standing sport & cross country teacher, Dave Barlow. Royal Navy Netball team vs Guernsey men. Dulwich College Cricket Team. Stowe School 2nd XV (Lions) with an impressive season of 9/11 wins so far. University College School U18 Basketball team in a head-to-head fixture against fellow flagship school, Mill Hill School. #schools #wednesdayshoutout #teamwear #youbringthepassion #community