Sports & Games

Cricket

Cricket has been the major summer sport in grammar schools across the province for decades and it has been no different at Methodist College. The aim is to provide pupils with high quality coaching, facilities and experiences to make sure that, by the time they finish their education, they have had the opportunity to reach their full potential as cricketers.

Badminton

The Badminton Club meets every Friday from 3.30pm to 4.30pm in the sports hall. The club is for players of all abilities and is open to pupils in all forms from 1-Upper 6. Badminton is a popular club, with around 30-40 pupils taking part each week.  Prefects help to set up and organise the younger players.   As a club it does not organise teams/enter competitions, although occasionally some individuals may enter competitions on their own. 

Equestrian Club

Throughout the year there are a variety of competitions held on Saturdays. This provides students with the opportunities to meet others from different year groups and schools, learn to work as part of a team, practice their show jumping skills and enjoy a sport they have in common, whilst representing the College. The club meets on Friday afternoons, for more information, contact Miss Bond.

Cross Country

Minor, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Teams are entered at District Championship level with opportunity for qualifiers to compete at Ulster and Irish Schools Championships.

Football

The aims of the school club are to provide opportunities for pupils to participate in matches against other schools, as well as a recreational outlet for senior pupils on the Wednesday Games Afternoon which is now played at New Forge Sports Complex. This is also where Home games for the U18 and U16 are now played.

MCB currently enter Under 18 and Under 16 teams in the Northern Ireland and Belfast & District Cups, as well as in a local Belfast Grammar School U18 league.

Rugby

Senior Club-

1st - 5th XV with regular/weekly inter-school fixtures throughout the season; 6th - 8th XV- on-going mid-week fixtures. 

1st XV- entered in Ulster Schools Cup Competition plus annual tour. 2nd, 3rd, 4th XV's- entered in appropriate Ulster Schools Cup Competitions.
 

Junior Club-

Three teams each of U12, U13, U14 and Medallion (U15) with regular/weekly fixtures and invitational age group and 7-a-side tournaments. 
 

Medallion-

Entered in Ulster Schools Medallion Shield. 

Athletics

Athletics is popular in Methody, with pupils training hard for team and individual events. Each year, a number of pupils take part in District heats, with many progressing on to Ulster and Irish Schools' competitions.

Rowing

Rowing in Methody has a dedicated following, with both boys and girls taking part in this popular sport. A new boathouse was opened in 2005 and fundraising activities coupled with financial support from former pupils and parents have allowed the purchase of equipment and boats. Life on the River Lagan is as active as ever for the rowers of MCB. With the excellent boat house and continued hard work of Mr Marron, Mr Taylor with a group of Rowing Ireland qualified volunteer coaches. There is rarely a day when MCB boats are not on the river. 

Boys’ Golf

The Senior Boys’ team play in two championships and a league.  All of these matches are played in September and October.  Handicaps on the Senior Team are typically in single figures so the level of golf is quite high.

The Irish Schools’ Strokeplay Championship takes place in September and is played at a different course each year.  The Ulster Schools’ Matchplay Championship is also played in September.  The Ulster Schools’ Winter League sees teams playing in mini groups of three or four teams, and the winners of each group progress to the knockout stages of the competition.

There are also two Junior Golf Championship held in September and June, which see twenty to thirty schools competing.  Pupils must be under 16 in order to qualify for the junior team and handicap is usually quite low (under 20).

If  you would like to be considered for the team, give your details to Mr Corken in E7 at the start of the year, and to keep him informed of any handicap changes as the year progresses.

Girls’ Golf

The girls usually compete March when the annual Ulster Schoolgirls' Golf Championship is held. 
Any girl with a handicap of 34 or less can compete, either as an individual or as part of a two girl team and are urged to contact Miss Moore is interested.  Prizes are awarded for the best gross and net scores.

Boys' Hockey

Methodist College Belfast Boys’ Hockey currently fields five hockey teams, competing in many tournaments. We train and play on our own astro-hockey pitch at Deramore Park. The 1st XI tour each season to either England or Europe, and there is a regularly tour to Scotland or Ireland for the junior boys.

Junior Boys Hockey Practice

All boys in Forms 1 – 3 are welcome on Tuesdays after school on the pitch at Deramore. 

ALL BOYS IN FORM 1 ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME ALONG AND GIVE IT A GO! Details are on the hockey noticeboard in L Block or contact Mr Welshman or Dr Campton.

Netball

We have Form 1 netball along with the Junior and Senior Netball Clubs at Methodist College, catering for all year groups within the school.

F1 - Monday 3.20 - 4.45 in the Large Gym

F3 - Wednesday 3.20 - 4.30 in the Sports Hall (Mrs Hart)

F2 - Thursday 3.20 - 4.30 in the Sports Hall (Mrs Montgomery)

Senior Club - Tuesday 3.20 - 4.30 in MCB Sports Hall (Mrs Fulton and Miss McIntyre)  

Swimming

Swimming is a popular sport with boys and girls at Methody. Swimmers enter a number of galas in the course of the season. Swimmers frequently bring medals back to the College from both team and individual events. In recent years, a number of pupils have also been selected for Interprovincial championships.