Loughborough Schools Foundation is proud to announce that PE teacher, Mr Tom Halfhide has been selected to represent England in the 2025 Men’s Netball Nations Series in Singapore – an exceptional achievement for an athlete who first picked up the sport just over two years ago.
Tom received the wonderful news earlier this month and his selection follows a remarkable rise through the sport, built on determination, natural athleticism, and an impressive breadth of multi-sport experience.
Having grown up playing basketball, representing the Army during his service, as well as rugby and several other sports, Tom first entered a mixed charity netball tournament alongside his fiancée. The pair went on to form Stunts netball, a Loughborough-based mixed performance club that made history in 2024 as the first non-London team to win the Mixed National Championships.
Alongside club success, Tom has trained with Loughborough Lightning and Nottingham Forest Netball in the Netball Super League. His England preparations included a full-day training camp at Loughborough University, including a performance match against the Vitality Roses, the England women’s national team, and world number three.
Speaking about his selection, Tom said: “It’s an amazing honour – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’ve competed internationally before with Army basketball, but representing my country in netball is completely different. I can’t wait for Singapore and the opportunity to play against some of the world’s best.”
In school, Mr Halfhide teaches PE across Loughborough Schools Foundation – including rugby at Loughborough Grammar School – and coaches girls’ netball, working closely with pupils who are beginning their netball journey as well as those progressing along performance pathways. Because he joined the sport so recently, he brings a rare relatability to coaching.
“I have recent experience of learning the basics. Two years ago I didn’t know the rules. That helps me support pupils who are trying the sport for the first time, just as much as those aiming for elite level.”
Tom Halfhide, PE Teacher
From next year, Tom’s mixed club will train on Loughborough Schools Foundation’s own netball courts, further enhancing opportunities for pupils to observe, learn from and be inspired by adult performance players.
Jo Hackett, Director of Sport for Loughborough Schools Foundation said:
“Tom’s achievement is a source of immense pride for our whole community. His passion, humility and meteoric progression in the sport are a powerful example to pupils of what can be achieved through dedication and courage. Our young players see in Tom not only an outstanding coach, but a role model.”
Tom will travel to Singapore in 2025 to compete for England in the Men’s Netball Nations Series.
