South Coast Sports Tour A Great Success

The 15th Annual Junior Sports Tour included training and matches interspersed with plenty of off-pitch activities and fun. It was a great chance for all to hone their skills and practise technique against friendly but competitive teams.

The Year 9 boys had a very successful tour, their hard work in training paying dividends with three excellent wins. They faced Portsmouth Junior Rugby Club first and comfortably won the game with a super 39-5 score line. Their second match was a much greater challenge against the disciplined and never before beaten Dauntsey’s School. Dauntsey’s proved a tough test, but the boys weathered the storm well and their resilience and effort resulted in well organised and professional tries. Head of Boys’ Games, Joe Jackson, was thoroughly delighted with their performance and an excellent 45-24 win. The boys then faced Bournemouth School For Boys claiming a third resounding victory 33-5.

Joe Jackson, said, “All three games were fantastic team efforts with Dauntsey’s proving to be the toughest test. The boys were energetic both on and off the rugby field, although I think their personal highlight was Splashdown Water Park!”

The Year 8 netball girls also had some great results in their games, and what was most pleasing was their progression throughout the tour. Fielding two teams, the girls first played Portsmouth High School with both the A and B teams winning their matches, 16-5 and 10-6 respectively. Their second fixture was against Bournemouth School For Girls. The U13A team came up against fierce competition and a team that was very well practiced. With a slow start from us the girls managed to close the score line with grit and determination, however, it wasn't enough to secure a win and the match finished with a loss 7-11. The U13B team however, played with consistency throughout their fixture and secured their second win 8-3 of the tour.

On tour, off the pitch is always a great chance to build team spirit through lots of different activities. Pupils enjoyed Splashdown, the all-action, flume filled waterpark in Poole, had time for shopping at Gunwharf Quays and of course enjoyed a competitive sunshine-y morning of games on the beach.

Head of Academic PE and Tour Leader, Hannah Carminati, commented, “There was plenty of learning for our sports teams this year and pupils made a lot of progress as they wound their way along the south coast. They were a really good group, impeccably behaved, they mixed well with their opponents and with each other, but what pleased us most was how enthusiastic our pupils all were. It made for a very successful tour.”

Huge thanks to the dedicated sports staff who accompanied the tour: Lee Cassell, Hannah Carminati, Joe Jackson and Ellie Callan. A big thank you of course to the schools and sports clubs that hosted us; their hospitality was outstanding, and we look forward to continuing the relationship with them for future tours.