RUGBY
The rugby programme at Shebbear College, led by Mr Bryant and Ms Vetch, is built on player development, enjoyment and opportunity for every student. While improving core skills and game understanding, we help players build confidence, resilience, leadership and communication skills that they can apply both on and off the field.
Our teams enjoy regular fixtures with strong opposition across the region. We play mainly 15-a-side in the autumn term, before transitioning into 10s and 7s later in the year. As a small school, we pride ourselves on punching above our weight, competing at prestigious tournaments such as the Rosslyn Park National School 7s, and the Jonny Wilkinson Cup. Our fixtures are designed to provide the right level of challenge, offering a safe space for beginners while also nurturing those with exceptional talent – making rugby at Shebbear a programme for both participation and performance.
We are especially excited by the growth of girls’ rugby at Shebbear, where players are embracing the sport with passion and enthusiasm. We maintain strong connections with local clubs and one of the highlights of our year is hosting our mixed U10 and U11 Festivals, celebrating how our core values can be nurtured through sport.
KEITH
UPPER SIXTH
SPORT SCHOLAR – RUGBY
Achievements:
Plays for Okehampton Rugby Club & Shebbear College 1st XI
Won ISA National 7s Tournament
Competed at Rosslyn Park 7s Tournament
Middleweight Boxer for Torrington Boxing Club – won most recent two fights
Shebbear College Sports Person of the Year 2025
Favourite thing about sport?
I think it’s got to be the competitive element. I’m naturally a competitive person and I’ve always been good at sports from an early age so I’ve been drawn to playing at the highest level I possibly could and pushing myself. I just really enjoy it.
Sporting Hero?
There’s a fair few of them. Anthony Joshua – as an athlete in general he’s a great role model. Also another one is Michael Jordan – I think he’s probably the sporting hero for a lot of people, but he’s a great example of hard work and dedication on and off the court.
Favourite food?
I do like a burger to be fair – any type of burger! Or a steak!
MR BRYANT
RUGBY & ATHLETICS COACH
Qualifications:
MSc Sport Management (Loughborough)
RFU Level 2 Rugby Coach
Advanced CPDs in season planning, player profiling and performance analysis
Career highlights:
- Helping Devon Women win back-to-back County Championships (2024,2025)
- Winning the National Community Cup at Twickenham with Topsham RFC
- Barnes RFC hall of fame
- Working with the Cayman Islands national 7s
- BUCS University 7s cup title with Loughborough University
- Cayman Islands exchange – working with the National 7s team and establishing a youth programme
- U16 Welsh Discus Champion
Favourite thing about your job?
Helping young athletes, not just with tactics and skills, but challenging the to build resilience, solve problems and form connections. I enjoy being part of a coaching team who understand, appreciate and support each other.
Sporting Hero?
I don’t have a single sporting hero, I admire different qualities in a variety of athletes and coaches.
Favourite food?
I love food, and I love to cook. A properly cooked steak dinner is a favourite, but it sits at the top table with lasagne and Christmas dinner. Oh, also, pizza…
MS VETCH
PE TEACHER – RUGBY & HOCKEY SPECIALISM
Qualifications:
BEd (Hons) Sec in PE
Geography minor
Career highlights:
Selected for England University Rugby, moving up the ranks to England Academy, England A (Captain) and England!
Played rugby for England in the Hong Kong 7s
Played rugby for England vs South Africa
Favourite thing about your job?
Watching the ‘aha’ moment for pupils! I love seeing the kids realise that they can do it, that they can be something.
Sporting Hero?
I don’t have one particular person, there are many athletes that have inspired me along my journey. I admire people that have a hard work ethic, determination and grit, and don’t give up even when the chips are down.
Favourite food?
I love the heat of Sri Lankan food…but to be honest I like most food!
MR LAW
PE TEACHER
Qualifications:
BA (Hons) in Sport and Coaching Studies
PGCE with QTS in Physical Education
Career highlights:
- Playing university football.
- Playing cricket in Australia.
- Running the football and cricket programmes at Shebbear College.
- 3 time Barbados tourist with Shebbear.
- Coaching U15 rugby to North Devon Cup success.
Favourite part of my job:
Seeing pupils develop their skills and find something in sport that they love. The goal as a PE practitioner is to help students develop a love of physical activity, and seeing them find that sport that they will carry on with after school is what it’s all about.
Sporting hero:
Eric Cantona/Jonny Wilkinson/Andrew Flintoff. My main interest growing up has always been team sports – with football, rugby and cricket being closest to my heart. These are 3 legends who for different reasons are heroes of mine.
Favourite food:
I’ve got to go with Mr Nicholls on this one and go for steak and chips! I am also partial to a pizza – not the healthiest, but everything in moderation!
