Every year the Habs Sports Festival – part of the Haberdashers’ Advantage: Character programme – is a celebration of community and participation, and 2025 was no different.
This year’s festival once again took place at the University of Wolverhampton and the Haberdashers’ Company would like to thank the University for its hospitality.
The Sports Festival is not just about winning games; it is about building character, forging connections, and enriching the Habs student community. Through taking part students learn essential life skills such as discipline, communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence. These skills are also invaluable in personal and professional settings, helping students grow beyond the pitch.
Sporting activities included:
Judo: An introduction to basics and contact lead by GB Judo – three groups/spaces.
Bootcamp: A selection of exercise activities to develop physical fitness and aerobic capacity.
Handball: Development of tactical appreciation through team activity.
Rugby: Development of skills and attributes to understand key concepts.
Analysis of Self: 2D and 3D modelling of student jump performance.
Fitness Testing: Using different fitness testing activities students to develop an overview
During the day, individuals were awarded either a Spirit or an Honour Award in different categories. The Spirit prize was awarded for going above and beyond what is expected through supporting and lifting up others, whilst the Honour prize was given out for acting with integrity. Winners in both categories were selected for showing strong examples of solidarity, dedication, participation.
The number of Honour and Spirit awards were tracked and those who achieved the highest number of these on an individual basis were celebrated as they were linked with the highest scores for their school overall.
The number of Honour and Spirit awards were tracked and those who achieved the highest number of these on an individual basis were celebrated as they were linked with the highest scores for their school.
Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby Year 12 BTEC Sport cohort, supported with the delivery at the Habs Sports Festival event. This was arranged to help support our cohort with their Unit Four leadership module on leadership skills, organisation of a sporting event.
One pupil said: “I was one of the sixth form BTEC students participating in the Haberdasher’s festival. I saw the PGCE students teach the haberdasher by taking part in this event, teaching the children. As I joined in , it has helped me develop my communication skills. When setting up the activities and demonstrating them to the children, it helped build my confidence. I think that as I continue to build up my skills, it will benefit me in the future when setting up a touch rugby for Year 5 and 6 for my Unit 4 leadership module.”
Another pupil shared their experiences: “This event was structured and organised well, which helped the event ran smoothly. The University students presented the leadership skills needed to plan and run an event. From this event, I have learnt how to be confident and clear when explaining instructions. Also, this will assist me when organising an event myself. This event helped me develop my key leadership skills that I have learnt in my BTEC Sport unit 4 course.”
Finally a student shared: “During the day, I supported the university students in leading the events whilst keeping structure for the kids to enjoy. Throughout the events, there were many challenges that required my leadership skills, such as good communication with the university students and the children to understand how the events worked. I also had to be motivational to keep the children engaged in the events. This will help me in my Unit 4 work, as we are learning about leadership skills and will have to organise our own event.”
Warm congratulations go to the overall winners of the day, Haberdashers’ Monmouth School.
We were delighted to be joined by Haberdasher members Ben Hopkinson (Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby Alumnus) and Helen Bostock, who helped give out the prizes.
Sadly Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South were not able to attend the Sports Festival this year, but we look forward to them returning in 2026.
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