What’s News? School Sports Successes

Eastbourne College, East Sussex

Balancing a demanding academic timetable with high level sport is always a challenge but one that Eastbourne College’s elite tennis players relish as they prepare for another successful summer season.

Both the College’s senior girls and senior mixed doubles tennis teams have made it through to the national finals of their respective LTA Schools competitions.

In another ace performance from the senior girls team this week, they stormed to victory in the regional play-off against Hurstpierpoint College winning 4-2. They have now earned their place at the national finals of the British Schools LTA Winter Senior Students Competition.

The win follows other recent successes as the team takes advantage of the year-round training programme which includes support from experienced teaching staff, weekly fixtures against other schools, an expert external coaching team (formed of the likes of ex-Davis Cup player Luke Milligan) and opportunities for winter training in Tenerife. As a result of the team’s consistent record, they have been pre-seeded as one of the top four teams in Great Britain and will also be playing the LTA Schools National Championships in Nottingham in July.

This year, for the first time, the College entered the girls team into the Sussex Ladies Winter League and won their division, playing against experienced adult club teams; they will be promoted next year.

In a high quality, exciting match, the mixed doubles team have also demonstrated their worth. After two rounds of doubles matches the score stood at 2-2, which meant a 10 point tie-break shoot out with Sevenoaks, with both schools being required to nominate a new pairing. In a tense final, the Eastbourne College pair held their nerve to secure a 10-8 win.

The national finals will be held at the USN Bolton Arena in early March. Simon Gent, Master in charge of tennis at the College was thrilled.

This is the third time in the last four years that the College have reached this national final and having two teams representing us is testament to the hard work and commitment to both the elite and grass roots tennis programmes we have in place.

Simon Gent, Master in charge of tennis at the College

ACS Cobham, Surrey

ACS Cobham International School’s girls’ football team won the gold medal at the Under 11s World School Games, held at Dubai’s Sports City earlier this month.

The girls’ football team topped their qualification group and commanded dominant wins in both the quarter and semi-finals. The team’s gold medal deciding match was competitive, with student Natalie Vernier scoring the winning goal in extra time. 

As well as the girls’ football team, ACS students also competed in swimming and athletics. The whole team, known as the Cobham Cougars, received the ‘School Spirit Award’ for its team comradery, sportsmanship and passion for the tournament.

Competing against nineteen other schools, this was ACS Cobham’s first appearance at the World School Games, which brings together the best athletes from schools around the globe in a fun and competitive environment.

Going into the competition, you never know how talented the other teams might be. I went into the girls’ football tournament hoping for a gold medal, but to receive one after playing such tough matches was amazing. The Cobham Cougars went into the Games wanting to stay positive and try our best, which we definitely did.

Adela Checova, ACS Cobham student and team captain

Port Regis, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Port Regis’ under 13 boys have recently won the ISGA National Gymnastics Championships. Myles, Harry, Ben and Sam, the school’s most experienced gymnasts, competed with some of the best routines of the day and were awarded first place and crowned ISGA National Champions. Even better, in the individual competition Ben was placed second.

Gymnastics has always been very strong at Port Regis as the school is fortunate to benefit from a fully-equipped gymnasium, which serves as a National Centre for Junior Gymnastics and facilitates expert coaching by fully qualified British Gymnast coaches with the finest equipment for beginners and national team members alike. Gymnastics provides an excellent foundation for many other sports by helping children to develop agility, balance, core-strength  and coordination.

READ MORE: Critical Thinking Lessons Teach Children to Question the Status Quo | Incredible Global Schools Worth the Long-haul