A Kegrave school is celebrating major sporting success as it prepares to send five teams to county finals – just days after a sixth won the national championships.
This is the joint most teams that Kesgrave High School has ever had play at the very top of their game – with dozens of children from Years 7 to 10 competing for their respective titles.
The school is sending five football teams to the county finals, less than a week after the Year 9 girls’ basketball team became national champions.
After first dominating their semi-final match, the girls went on to take the trophy on the national stage in Manchester.
However things weren’t plain sailing from the start, as PE teacher Stuart Simmons said: “We only found out on Wednesday afternoon that we were going to Manchester on Sunday, so there were a couple of girls who couldn’t make it.”
With a squad of only six players, down from ten, the girls had to work extremely hard with little rest.
But their efforts paid off, as they beat Aylesbury High School to the trophy – with team member Susannah Rafiu taking home the prestigious title of Most Valued Player (MVP) after bagging a huge 27 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter.
Back on the football pitch, the Year 9 boys are set to open the show tomorrow – as they prepare to play Stowupland High School.
On Wednesday, the Year 9 girls will take on Stowupland High School, followed by the Year 10 boys’ match against Westbourne Academy.
Then on Thursday, the Year 7 boys are set to compete against Thurston College, while the Year 8 girls also have their sights set on success as they prepare to face Westbourne Academy.
The rules vary according to ability, with the Year 7 and 8 teams playing 9-a-side, and the Year 9 and 10 teams playing the adult standard 11-a-side.
All games will take place at Needham Market Football Ground, which – with multiple teams playing on two days – Mr Simmons said would be good for moral.
“We will have one team playing and staying to support the other team,” he said. “There is a real community feel to it.”
He added that he was extremely proud of his students for their achievements.
“It’s fantastic,” he said. “The nice thing is, it is the second year in a row that we have got five teams to county finals – and seven different teams across two years.”
But winning isn’t everything, according to the coach.
“If everyone has a really positive experience it won’t matter if it is win or lose,” he said. “Obviously winning is great, but we just want a fair game and a good experience.”
Mr Simmons added that he wanted to thank both staff and parents for the time and effort they commit to school sport.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here