From the beginning of this academic year, football has been available to pupils as a full Games option for Year 7 and above, joining rugby and hockey on the curriculum. The move reflects growing enthusiasm for the sport across the Foundation and a wider commitment to offering pupils more choice in their sporting journeys.
“For many of our pupils, football is their passion, their outlet, and their way of connecting and growing,” said Perry Wild, Head of Football at the Foundation. “This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It’s about responding to what our pupils are telling us they want and creating a sporting culture that reflects who we are today, not just who we were 50 years ago.”
While the Foundation has a strong tradition of rugby, football has long been part of its DNA. It was the very first competitive sport played here at LGS, with alumnus Harry Linacre going on to play for England in 1905. Football returned for senior pupils in the mid-2000s, and recent years have seen a renewed effort to make the game more accessible across year groups.
The Foundation’s football programme has grown rapidly. The U15 team at Loughborough Grammar School is ranked 14th nationally by SOCS – School Online Communication System, Year 10 boys recently lifted the County Cup, and Prep School pupils reached the IAPS – Independent Association of Prep Schools – finals for the first time in recent history. Girls’ football is thriving too, with pupils from Loughborough High School entering ISFA – Independent Schools Football Association – competitions and achieving national representative honours.
In addition, several pupils, past and present, are already excelling at football with one LGS pupil, Will, being part of Leicester City’s professional academy pathway. Additionally, a Loughborough Grammar School Alum, Johnson Osong, has this year been offered a professional contract at Derby County.
None of this momentum would be possible without the right expertise. Perry Wild brings extensive elite-level experience to the Foundation, having coached the Swedish U19 and U20 men’s national teams and worked in international academies and senior performance roles. “That background shapes a lot of what we do here—from our training methods and performance monitoring to the mindset we aim to instil in every player,” he explained.
“Most rewarding of all is the sheer joy and commitment I see every day from students showing up early, improving every week, and having a genuine passion for the game.”
Perry Wild, Head of Football
The Foundation is also actively contributing to regional football development. Perry recently convened a summit of Heads of Football from independent schools across the Midlands at Nottingham Forest’s ground, sharing best practice and discussing how to grow the sport collaboratively. “We’re building something special here,” added Perry. “A football culture that values effort, opportunity, and growth.”
To read Perry’s blog in the Independent Schools Magazine about ‘Why football belongs at the heart of our schools’ click here and turn to page 59.
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