RGS Sport: Why Team Culture Matters for Today’s Teens
Sport, Social Media and the Search for Belonging
Our Director of Sport, George Browning, reflects on sport, social media and the teenage search for belonging – drawing lessons from the Netflix series Adolescence, and the TeamReigate approach at RGS. Read the full article below.
The new Netflix series Adolescence offers a powerful exploration of teenage life in the digital age, a world increasingly shaped by smartphones, social media, and curated online identities. These platforms offer connection, yes, but often at the cost of authenticity, emotional wellbeing, and real-world relationships. The series raises a vital question for educators and parents alike: where can young people find meaningful connection away from screens?
At Reigate Grammar School, we believe one of the most powerful answers is sport.
Sport offers a third space, outside of family and schoolwork, where students can build genuine friendships, test themselves physically and emotionally, and experience the highs and lows of shared endeavour. The social benefits are clear, but so too are the emotional and psychological ones. Through sport, young people learn how to regulate emotion, respond to setbacks, support others, and build resilience, all within a safe and structured environment.
At RGS, we are proud to create an inclusive sporting culture where every student feels part of something. From First Form, any student who wants to represent the school will have the opportunity to do so, and our practices are open to all, regardless of ability. As students progress through the school, there are more tailored coaching opportunities that align with individual ability and ambition, but the inclusive ethos remains. Everyone is welcome, and everyone is coached with care, skill, and expertise.
Our approach goes beyond technical training. We focus intentionally on character development. That begins with combining expert coaches with pastoral leads on teams, ensuring students are supported not just as athletes, but as people. We also empower students through leadership and collaborative roles. Older pupils take responsibility for mentoring others, upholding shared standards, and supporting younger members of the RGS community in what we call TeamReigate.
This model creates a powerful legacy effect, where the values, habits, and attitudes of older students are passed down to those who follow. In this way, sport becomes more than just a game. It becomes a formative part of who our students are, and who they are becoming, offering them belonging, connection, and confidence in a world that increasingly needs all three.
George Browning is Director of Sport at Reigate Grammar School, where he has led the development of an inclusive and ambitious sporting culture for the past four years. He is a passionate educator with a particular interest in challenge, risk, and the development of character through sport. A strong advocate for the power of physical activity and service, George believes in creating environments where pupils can thrive, grow, and become happy, confident, and selfless individuals.
