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After joining the 50th Annual QE Rugby Sevens at the last moment, Maidstone Grammar School went on to set the tournament alight, beating last year’s winners in a thrilling final.

The Kent school received their place less than two days before the event, after another school dropped out. They certainly made their mark, triumphing 31-29 over Ipswich School, who were going for the ‘double’, having won the U14 title last year.

QE’s own U14 squad acquitted themselves well, playing brilliantly in the group stages (in which Maidstone were one of their competitors) and reaching the Plate quarter-final.

And for the 50th year of an event which has long attracted some of the country’s best-known rugby schools, there was a special presentation for legend of QE rugby, David Maughan – the tournament’s founder and a highly respected former national coach who was QE’s Head of PE from 1974 to 2003.

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “It was a great day overall, with a very high quality of rugby played and a splendid atmosphere. The bonus was an exciting final worthy of our fiftieth-year tournament.

“Our U14 squad should be proud of their performance and it was lovely to see many of their parents cheering them on.

“It was also fitting to celebrate David Maughan’s stellar contribution to QE Sevens over its first half-century – what a record he has!”

Like the main Cup competition, the Plate contest was an exciting affair. Plate finalists Gordon’s School from Surrey were late entrants like Maidstone, promoted from the reserve list. Having knocked out the QE team in the quarter-final, they lost to Tonbridge School in the final. This meant that Tonbridge retained their Plate title from 2025.

In the group stages, the QE team won two of their matches and lost only to eventual tournament champions, Maidstone. They defeated Robert Clack School, from Barking and Dagenham borough, by 24-5, and eased out Norwich School 10-7, thus earning their progression to the Plate quarter-final, where they lost 26-0.

Director of Sport Jonathan Hart said: “Our QE line-up gave a real squad performance, ably led by captain Husain Jassim, and played some very good rugby.”

Marcus Ingal carried the ball brilliantly, his strength and speed making it very difficult for the opposition to stop him making significant yardage, ball in hand; Alex Fields-Bicar used his pace and footwork in the wider channels to finish off opportunities well; Rohan Mukherjee brought great physicality in attack and defence; and there was some good steering of the games from Andy Hasanaj, usually at first receiver.

Mr Maughan was presented with an engraved shield by the Headmaster in recognition of his founding of the tournament and the School’s appreciation for his ongoing support.

He has remained a constant presence at QE Sevens since his retirement back in 2003. He is also still seen in School most weeks, attending rugby and cricket for the lower years and also rarely missing a First XV game. He managed England U16s for a decade beyond his retirement from QE.

Mr Hart thanked: inspiresport, who sponsor the tournament; the referees; the catering team and Friends of Queen Elizabeth’s helpers; pupil helpers from Year 7, who faithfully delivered the scores from each pitch back to the operations hub; first aid crews; supporters from all schools; and, of course, his own PE department, including Head of Rugby Ollie Di-Lieto.

The QE U14 (Year 9) squad was:

1. Husain Jassim (captain)
2. Rohan Mukherjee
3. Saami Mansur
4. Alfie Enderby
5. Marcus Ingal
6. Emile Uju
7. Andy Hasanaj
8. Jerry Ju
9. Ishaan Bhosale
10. Alex Fields-Bicar
11. Leon L. Kariuki
12. Aryamann Wadhwani Sharma
13. Raphael Gbadebo

Coach: PE teacher Sam Marks (who is also their Head of Year).

Click on the thumbnails to view the images.

Sixteen players fought it out in QE’s first competitive table tennis fixture for many years, as the School responds to strong pupil demand for more opportunities in the sport.

The boys, representing Years 7, 8, 9 & 10, made the five-mile journey for an away fixture at Ashmole Academy – and returned with their first victory under their belts. Although Ashmole won two of the year-group battles to QE’s one (with one draw), QE had the higher points tally overall, with 17 games won to Ashmole’s 15.

The resurgence of inter-school fixtures has been driven largely by Year 10 table tennis enthusiast Habeeb Tharoo, who was instrumental in selecting the 16-player squad. He was the team captain for the fixture.

Senior PE teacher Richard Scally said: “Habeeb’s leadership helped set a positive tone throughout the afternoon as players across all year groups demonstrated resilience, skill, and great sportsmanship.”

The approach of the fixture and the squad’s preparations for it created a “genuine buzz around the PE department”, said Mr Scally.

“The players are already eager for a rematch, and with the commitment shown, future fixtures promise to be even more exciting.

“Pupils from Years 9, 10 and 11 are regularly developing their skills during PE lessons and, beyond that curriculum time, there’s a thriving lunchtime culture and an enthusiastic after-school club held every Monday and Wednesday,” he added.

For this first major table tennis outing, a new competitive format inspired by the Ryder Cup was adopted. It involved each side fielding their top four players in every year group. Matches were split so that the top two QE seeds faced their counterparts from Ashmole, while the third and fourth seeds competed in their own pairings.

Each match won contributed one point to the overall team tally for that year group, creating an exciting and fast‑paced scoring system.

Here are the results by year group, with Mr Scally’s comments on each.

Year 7: Drawn 4–4.  “The youngest squad showed impressive maturity and calmness under pressure, securing a hard‑fought draw. With several close games, Year 7 proved they have strong potential for future fixtures.”

Year 8: Won 7–1. “A comprehensive scoreline, but another highly competitive contest. Year 8 excelled against more experienced opposition.”

Year 9: Lost 5–3. “Year 9 produced some excellent rallies and tactical play throughout their matches. Falling just short of parity, they can take great pride in a performance that showed both development and depth.”

Year 10: Lost 5–3. “Led by captain Habeeb, the senior team delivered powerful performances with several confident wins. Though Ashmole edged the overall score, the attitude and quality displayed by the QE side were clear highlights.”

Reflecting afterwards on the trip, Habeeb said: “This was a brilliant first fixture against a strong Ashmole side. The boys are keen to give it another go!”

The Rugby Dinner featured inspirational speeches, startling statistics and honours for all ages – but most of all, the evening was about celebrating the love of a great game.

Hundreds of boys from across the year groups gathered in the Shearly Hall for a programme that included the eagerly awaited announcement of the QE Rugby Team of the Year.

And guest speaker, Old Elizabethan Max Hassell (2002–2009) gave a stirring address, urging today’s QE players: “Remember, you’re not just representing yourself and your teammates, but a long line of former pupils who have made that shirt what it is today…Whatever you put in, rugby – and this School – will give back to you tenfold.  And whatever you do, please don’t lose to Habs!”

Headmaster Neil Enright afterwards lauded a “brilliant” evening. “Rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship are what makes the game special for those who enjoy the environment and culture they create,” he said. “They resonate deeply with the mission of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet which is to produce young men who are confident, able and responsible.”

During the dinner, attendees also learned about the benefits of schools rugby – that, for example, 69% of players reported being more confident, according to research.

They were told that so far this season, more than 400 pupils had represented QE across some 22 different teams.

There were presentations of prizes for boys in Years 7–11, for the Second XV and for the First XV. Awards went to: the Most improved player; Players’ player (for both the A and B teams in Years 7–11); and Player of the season.

The achievements of boys awarded their Senior Colours were celebrated, while there was also praise for the Sports Leaders – senior pupils whose contribution has included managing Year 7 boys in their rugby fixtures, as well as coaching training on Friday afternoons.

Guest speaker Max recalled growing up within earshot of the School: “I could hear the firsts and second teams playing on a Saturday afternoon from my garden, and as odd as it may sound, dreamt one day it would be me on those pitches.”

His dream was realised a few years later when he won a place at QE. While in Year 7, he idolised sixth-former Aaron Liffchak (OE 1996–2003), the “England U18 star of the School”. Some years later, Aaron coached Max “to a silver medal in one of my proudest-ever life achievements – representing Great Britain Rugby at the Maccabiah Games in Israel, an international sports tournament held every for four years for Jewish athletes from all around the word, second in size only to the Olympics and Commonwealth Games”.

Max had played for the School, the county and the University of Bristol, and he had had “the honour of both representing my country and captaining my current club, Saracens Amateurs”.

His talent was recognised at an early stage, as he was made Year 7 captain. “I remember we had an almost unbeaten season, winning every game except a narrow 3-0 loss to St Albans. I’m proud to remember I have never lost to Habs [QE’s traditional friendly rugby rival, Haberdashers’ Boys’ School]!”

The evening culminated with the naming of the following boys, drawn from across the School, for the QE Rugby Team of the Year, 2025–2026.

• Starting forwards: Thinuka Geeganage Kapugama, U16; Dhamma Singappuli, U15; Ashar Khan, U13; Vivann Reddy, U13; Cyrus Kiani, U13; Alfie Enderby, U14; Daniel Ogidi, U15; Esa Aslam, U16
• Starting backs: Victor Varbanov, First XV (Year 12); Andy Hasanaj, U14; Aarush Mehta, U13; Jake Owens, First XV (Year 13); Yashwant Reddy Sunkara, First XV (Year 12); Jerry Ju, U14; Carl Nkouka-Backa, U13.
• Replacements: Marcus Ingal, U14; Nazif Ashik, U12; Sachin Saddi, U14; Ronith Bala, U16; Oscar Kaltenbronn, First XV (Year 12); Emile Uju, U14; Edward Corcoran, U12; George Dhapre, U15.

The evening ended with a video highlights package from the year, plus some humorous segments, put together by Neelesh Fotedar, of Year 11.

The starting team of the year attended the Gallagher PREM fixture between Saracens and Newcastle Red Bulls the following day.

Click on the thumbnails to view the images.

QE’s First XV last night beat friends and traditional rivals, Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, in a thrilling encounter under the lights at Saracens’ StoneX stadium. 

With a gritty, disciplined performance, the QE team secured a hard-fought 12-5 victory. 

Congratulating them, Headmaster Neil Enright said: “It was an inspiring experience for our students to play in the stadium of one of the world’s best club sides, and the match befitted the setting in its fierce but sporting competitiveness. 

“The support for both schools – including many current pupils, alumni, staff and other friends – added to the atmosphere and sense of occasion. We are proud of the performance of our players and are delighted that they secured the win.

“Many of those from Year 13 have committed themselves for seven years, with most having been new to the game when they started at QE. They have developed athletically and technically, but also as teammates and young men: their mutual supportiveness and their camaraderie has been notable.” 

QE’s Head of Rugby, Oliver Di-Lieto, reported that the game had been intense from the first whistle, with both sides showing determination and skill.

“QE struck first, when Victor Varbanov produced a brilliant show-and-go [dummy pass] to break the defensive line and score. He calmly converted his own try, giving QE a deserved early 7-0 lead. 

“Habs responded strongly, crossing the line for their own score. Although they missed the conversion, the gap narrowed to 7-5, setting up a tense contest. 

“Momentum swung back to QE when Timi Banjo delivered a moment of magic, slicing through the defence for a superb solo effort. The try extended QE’s advantage to 12-5. 

“From there, the match became a defensive battle. QE’s backline and forwards worked tirelessly, with Jake Owens and Yashwant Sunkara leading an outstanding defensive shift that kept Habs at bay. 

“In the dying moments, Habs mounted a final attack, but QE’s captain Krutarth Behera produced a heroic effort to hold up the ball over the line, denying what would have been a game-changing try. 

“Having combined attacking flair with resolute defence, our boys secured a memorable victory.”     

Fresh from that victory, captain Krutarth said: “It was an incredible performance from all the players and a fantastic last match for all the Year 13s. A game we will never forget.”

Player of the Match Yashwant Sunkara said: “It was a very physical game and we knew we had to play at our best. Every player worked their socks off and I am so proud we managed to get the win.” 

Before the First XV took to the field, the two schools’ U15 sides also played, with Habs winning 31-20. 

 First XV squad 

1. Alvin Xu, Year 12
2. Krutarth Behera (Captain), Year 13
3. Simardeep Sahota, Year 13
4. Edward Muscat (Vice-Captain), Year 13
5. Abubakr Shofolahan, Year 13
6. Sharvesh Sudhagar, Year 13
7. Oscar Kaltenbronn, Year 12 
8. Thinuka Kapugama Geeganage, Year 11
9. Victor Varbanov, Year 12 
10. Aadam Aslam, Year 13 
11. Ubaidah Rahman, Year 13
12. Jake Owens (Vice-Captain), Year 13
13. Yashwant Reddy Sunkara, Year 12
14. Louis Miller, Year 12
15. Thomas Young, Year 12 
16. Akira Norimura, Year 12 
17. Kyaan Syed, Year 12 
18. Ishan Nakadi, Year 12
19. Martin Machytka, Year 13 
20. Esa Aslam, Year 11 
21. Timi Banjo, Year 13 
22. Yashinth Sivananthan, Year 12
23. Faaiz Adil, Year 12
24. Tristan Fink, Year 13

• Click on the thumbnails to view the images.

Year 9 pupil Ibrohim Saidahror won a silver medal after reaching the final in his category at the British Taekwondo National Kyorugi Championships. 

Ibrohim competed in two bouts to secure his silver in Sheffield, winning his semi-final 2-0, before losing by the same margin in the gold medal match against opponent Finley Lamour.

QE’s Director of Sport, Jonathan Hart, said: “Our congratulations go to Ibrohim on this achievement: behind it lies a great deal of dedication and hard work to develop his skills and strength.” 

Ibrohim sparred in the –37kg category novice cadet category with competitors aged 12–15 (he is 13).  

Each fight comprised up to three 90-second rounds, with the winner being the first to win two of the rounds. Points could be scored to the body or the head, with ‘knock-out’ also a possible outcome.  

Jubilant on his return from the championships, held at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield, he said: “”I started taekwondo to learn self-defence, but I really enjoy it. It is great for my flexibility and core strength.”   

Ibrohim trains in West London at the Superior Taekwondo Academy and competes regularly at regional and national competitions. He plans to keep up with the sport.  

Last term’s Sports Bulletin reported on him winning a gold medal in a sparring competition at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff. “I am very proud of this achievement as it shows my determination and discipline in training,” he said at the time. 

QE alumnus Dr Mustafa Sarkar has been named among the world’s leading sports and exercise scientists in an annual survey.

For the second consecutive year, Mustafa (OE 1997–2004) has been ranked in the top 2% worldwide in his field. Mustafa was also seventh in the UK and 32nd globally in his field for researchers with their first publication from 2012 onwards,

Headmaster Neil Enright said: “My congratulations go to Mustafa: as this ranking demonstrates, he is forging a very distinguished career at Nottingham Trent University.”

Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists ranking evaluates researchers based on how often their work is cited by others, their role in research, and their productivity.

Mustafa is an Associate Professor of Sport and Performance Psychology at Nottingham Trent. His research addresses the psychology of performance excellence, with a particular focus on resilience, psychological safety, and mental health.

He leads the High Performing Individuals, Teams and Organisations (HPITO) theme at Nottingham Trent’s Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement Research Centre. He also sits on the University Shadow Executive Team (USET).

He teaches sport and performance psychology across the undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes and contributes to the second-year undergraduate module, Practical Applications in Sport Psychology, and is module leader for the postgraduate module Performance Psychology.

Mustafa graduated from Loughborough University in 2008 with a first-class degree in Sport and Exercise Science. Before arriving at Nottingham Trent in 2015 as a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, he spent two years as a Research Fellow at the University of Gloucestershire.

• Mustafa was the subject of the first-ever OE Spotlight feature, in Edition 7 of QE’s Sports Bulletin, published in the 2024 Spring Term.