NEWS - July to December 2008
16.12.08
St Anselm’s College, Birkenhead, and Southend High School for Boys were crowned Sainsbury’s/ESAA National Schools U13 and U15 boys cross country champions at Shepshed School in Leicestershire.
Dr Challoner’s High School, from Amersham, and Leweston School, from Sherborne in Dorset, won the girls’ U13 and U15 titles (for a full report see the January edition of School Sport Magazine).
15.12.08
Holders Merchiston Castle have been drawn at home to Gordonstoun in the fifth round of the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools U18 Cup.
Meanwhile in the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools U15 Cup, holders George Watson’s College have a home tie against Selkirk High School.
12.12.08
Reed’s School, from Surrey, picked up the boys’ year 10 and year 8 titles at the Nestle National Schools Tennis Finals at Bolton.
In the girls’ events, Queenswood School lifted the year 10 trophy while Talbot Heath School won a closely fought year 8 competition (for a full report see the January edition of School Sport Magazine).
5.12.08
The Cricket Foundation is celebrating the introduction of the 2000th state school to its Chance to shine campaign.
Another milestone highlighted today in the charity’s end of year report is the 200,000th child to enjoy the benefits of competitive cricket.
In total, 226,884 children participated in the programme this year in 2,082 primary and secondary schools and a staggering 38,298 cricket matches were played – matches that in almost all of the state schools would not have been played three years ago.
The Cricket Foundation’s Director of Operations and Development, Wasim Khan said: “2008 has been an extremely successful year for Chance to shine, with more boys and girls from state schools playing more competitive cricket than ever before.”
Further encouraging news from the report is that the number of girls participating in club cricket as a result of the Chance to shine campaign is at an all time high.
Forty five per cent of the total - 102,080 girls - participated in the 2008 Chance to shine programme with more than a fifth joining their local cricket club.
The results are linked to the Cricket Foundation’s initiative, backed by the England and Wales Cricket Board, to employ members of the England Women’s team as Chance to shine coaches and ambassadors in 2008.
Not only have the England women players helped to generate interest at school level, they have also encouraged girls to make the transition from schools to clubs.
Seventy eight clubs now have established or strengthened cricket provision for girls through the Chance to shine programme.
Rosalie Birch, one of eight England Women with Chance to shine contracts, said: “It’s great being involved at both school and club level. Seeing enthusiastic girls who’ve become inspired by cricket in our sessions at school moving onto clubs is hugely satisfying. It’s what our jobs are all about.”
Other key figures highlighted in the Chance to shine Operations Report 2008 include:
* 56,076 coaching hours delivered by Chance to shine coaches;
* 10,401 boys and girls ‘migrating’ from schools to clubs during the first three years of Chance to shine; and
* 82% of the children that migrated to cricket clubs in 2007 remained with their club in 2008.
5.12.08
When Wellington College won both the Daily Mail U15 and U18 Cup competitions at Twickenham last season, they became the first school ever to achieve that feat since the two competitions started running in tandem in 1991.No Northern school has managed to get teams into both Cup finals in the same year, but as the two tournaments start to reach the business end of the competition, three schools are still battling on two fronts.Sadly, one is bound to drop out of the race in round six, when RGS Newcastle entertain local rivals Barnard Castle in what promises to be an absorbing affair.When the sides met earlier in the season at 'Barnie', the home side got home 23-21 and both sets have had their sights on a possible rematch in the Daily Mail.
Whatever the outcome, it means that one of the double contenders will be dropping out of the running next week, weather permitting.The other school with twin ambitions is St Peter's, York, who face a stiff test at Barnard Castle in the U15 competition.
They have home advantage against Calday Grange School from West Kirby on the Wirral in the sixth round of the U18 Cup, but having reached the final of the U15 Vase last season, the team from the North West will be determined to get back to the showpiece.They also have two teams still standing in that their U15 team is in round five of the Daily Mail Vase and awaiting the outcome of a delayed Cowley/Kirkham tie.The fact that the U15 and U18 Vase competition finals are also played at Twickenham expands the permutations for a double and Arnold School from Blackpool are also still hoping to make it a double on Wednesday, April 1, 2009.They have home advantage against Manchester Grammar in the U15 Cup, but still have a delayed tie against Clitheroe RGS to deal with before they can look forward.
Leeds Grammar are similarly placed, with RGS Newcastle their visitors in the U15 Cup and a trip to St John Fisher, Harrogate in the U18 Vase.
4.12.08
Bishop Wordworth's School are hoping to continue their rich history in the Daily Mail U18 Cup and book their place in the sixth round.The Salisbury School have been regular cup protagonists, often making the fifth and sixth round stages and director of sport Marcus Hole is hoping for more of the same.Hole said: “We have had a good run so far. This has been a nice draw for us and we want our campaign to continue. We have been regulars in the fifth and sixth rounds previously so this is where we want to be.
“Ideally, we want to get through to the sixth round and take on Wellington College, last year's champions. It would be great to beat them.”But before Bishop Wordworth's can look that far ahead, they have a fifth round date with Abingdon School.
The Oxfordshire school booked their clash with Bishop Wordworth's after a tantalising close match against another Wiltshire School, Dauntsey's.“We don't really have much of an idea about Abingdon School because I believe in cup rugby anything can happen,” added Hole.
“We beat Dauntsey's 55-6 earlier this season and they lost to Abingdon 25-29 in the last round so you could say that is a gage for us but as far as I am concerned that's irrelevant. I know we are powerful enough to take them on, but I also know their coach and I know he'll get his lads really fired up for this game.“In our last match against Milton Abbey we should have scored more points and we have been working on those areas for improvement. However, we have come along way this season, starting the year with a whole new pack so we have had to do quite a bit of work with them.
“If we are to get past the fifth round we need to be stronger. I think we are already punching above our weight, but when you come across the likes of the Wellington College boys you know you are up against some big lads so that is a step up we might have to make.”
4.12.08
Ivybridge Community College have big aspirations this season and they don't come any bigger than been crowned Daily Mail U15 champions.The Devon College, which is linked in with the Rugby Football Union's South West England Rugby Academy, have charged their way through to the sixth round, scoring an impressive 147 points and only conceding 15. Several of their players have also been selected for the Devon U15 squad.Ivybridge's academy manager Rob Gibson said: “We are pleased to be here, but ultimately our aspiration is to win this tournament. This is a very good year group, and there is a lot of support from the academy, the school and the local clubs for this side to do well. “Our toughest fixture to date was playing Penair. It was a game played in difficult conditions, but the lads overcame it to come out 30-5 winners. Now the competition gets tougher from here.”Indeed it does as Ivybridge's next opponents are Millfield School, finalists in the U15 competition last season.
Gibson added: “It's certainly going to be a tough fixture. Millfield are a good sports school and put a lot of time into it, but so do we. I think they'll be just as worried about us as we are about them.
“There is a real buzz in the school about this tournament and the boys are walking tall. They are encouraged by this and as long as they can keep their eye on the ball then I think we have got a real chance.”
3.12.08
St George’s School in Harpenden are hoping to continue punching above their weight in the Daily Mail U18 Cup after defeating Hertfordshire neighbours Richard Hale in the fourth round.Niall Dickens, the St George's coach, watched his side score five tries to two against their visitors from Hertford and said: “For a mixed comprehensive school I tend to believe we punch above our weight with the rugby team.“We have a 70 per cent win rate this season which is a little lower than usual, after we had a lot of year 13s who left the side last year.“But we are touring New Zealand next summer so we are trying to toughen the boys up and they are responding well.”There is no doubt who the star name is at St George's - but inside centre Owen Farrell, who has played for Saracens' first team this season and is in the England U18 squad, is just one of the boys, according to Dickens.“Owen is a well-rounded lad and well liked among the boys,” said Dickens. “Obviously his commitments with Saracens and England mean we don't get to see him for every match.
“I get the nod as to when I can use him, and the way we approach it is to make sure there is no disruption when the backline is changed.“We prefer to play all-round rugby, and, for example, the scrum half John Collins can slot in at centre if we like.”Farrell - whose father, England international Andy, moved to Harpenden when he joined Saracens from Wigan rugby league club - made his first team debut for Saracens aged 17 years and 11 days against Scarlets in the EDF Energy Cup in October.The cup tie against Richard Hale was Farrell junior's fourth school start of the season and he kicked long and accurately off his right boot to earn St George's field position when they needed it in a battle of swift-handling backs against old-fashioned forward muscle.Richard Hale's powerful driving maul ate up huge amounts of ground on three occasions - the experimental law variation allowing the maul to be pulled down legally does not apply at schools level - but St George's stayed calm and attacked decisively to score a couple of their tries in single-phase moves.Right wing Eustace Ojie, outside centre Courtney Dodds and the injured Ojie's replacement Fred Mackrill went over in the first half, with Farrell converting Dodds's effort for a 17-0 lead.Early in the second half Collins led a storming counter-attack from a loose kick and St George's wing Adam Hills scored at the left corner.A pair of yellow cards stymied St George's and the Richard Hale hooker Nick Skyte finished off two tries set up by his fellow forwards, with the first converted by centre Jack Mann.But two penalty goals by Farrell and a fine chip and chase try on the short side of a scrum by the lively Collins completed a 33-12 victory for St George's.They now face the winners of the Worksop College v Loughborough Grammar tie and Dickens said: “In the later rounds of the Daily Mail Cup we come up against schools with major facilities and major backing but we always give it a good shot.”
St George's are also through to the sixth round of the Daily Mail U15 Vase, while in another Hertfordshire 'derby' in the same competition, Bishop's Stortford High School won 29-23 away to St Mary's Catholic School.
3.12.08
Hampton are hoping to combine continued progress in the Daily Mail U15 Cup with a win-win perspective on the Varsity Match this month.The Middlesex school close to the River Thames will take on St Joseph's College from Ipswich in the sixth round of the U15 Cup after an impressive run of wins over Orleans Park, St Benedict's (Ealing), St Ignatius, Emanuel and RGS Guildford.And Hampton's U15 coach Mike Passey hopes the Varsity Match a few miles up the road at Twickenham Stadium on December 11 will have added interest with former pupils Will Browne and Akbar Ansari in contention to appear for Oxford and Cambridge respectively.“Akbar played everywhere in the backs for us and he has already won a blue at Cambridge, being named man of the match in the cricket Varsity Match,” said Passey.
“I am not sure whether he'll make the rugby selection but even if he and Will are not on opposite wings it gives us an extra reason to watch the game.”Another recent past pupil, England Sevens star Simon Amor, was back at Hampton earlier this year.
Amor is head coach of the England women's sevens team who won the recent Dubai Sevens and they used the school's facilities for training.Hampton also brought through the 1992 Olympic gold medal rowers Jonny and Greg Searle, and Passey said: “The school have had football and rowing success on a national scale, including winning the independent schools' football cup two years ago.
“Because the boys have a free choice of sport we sometimes lose promising rugby players to the other sports.“But we have good age groups at both U15s and U14s this year, and the U18 team are through to the fourth round of the Daily Mail Vase.“An interception try made the difference for us against RGS Guildford in a very tight match in the last round of the U15 Cup, and this is the furthest the school have been in this competition. It's the forwards who have laid the platform, which is rare for a Hampton side as we are normally stronger in the backs.”
St Joseph's will be strong and unfamiliar opponents for Hampton, who are captained from fly half by Ludovic Hopkinson with centre Jake Mccgwire as the leading try scorer.
But Passey's side would love to make it through to a possible meeting with Epsom College in the following round, having lost narrowly to their near-neighbours in a non-cup match recently.
2.12.08
Bedford School, winners of the Daily Mail U15 Schools Cup in 2006, are on the march again.They booked their place in the last 32 of this season's competition by ousting surprise package Ecclesbourne School 30-5 in the fifth round, capitalising on the sin-binning of one of their opponents to run in three tries while he was off the pitch.Bedford now host Wymondham College from Norfolk in a sixth round tie that has been provisionally arranged for this Thursday (December 4).Though Richard Midgley, Bedford's master in charge of rugby, is reluctant to draw comparisons with the cup-winning side of 2006 and this side, he is delighted with his current crop of players.“They are a good side and they have got stronger as the season has gone on,” Midgley said.“They have also grown in self-belief and they now know that they can take on whatever opposition we face as they showed last Saturday when we beat Harrow 36-15 in a great game.“We're not strong in one particular area, we are a good all-round side and the players enjoy playing an open running game.”Captain George Humphreys at centre, full-back Toby Lynes and number eight Nick Coward are the spine of this Bedford team but Peter Usher, the school's sports psychologist, continues to play an important role off the field.Usher, who previously worked with Canada's Olympic squad, joined Bedford on a part-time basis three years ago and made a significant contribution to getting the Daily Mail Cup-winning side mentally prepared for their games.
“Peter is still working his magic and his work has been a hugely important factor in improving the side's belief,” Midgley said.
1.12.08
Whitgift School and Portsmouth Grammar became the latest schools to qualify for the finals of the boys U16 National Indoor Hockey Championships yesterday.
Both teams contain several of the boys who fought out an epic Lords Taverners U15 national schools cricket semi-final earlier this year.
They will join East of England qualifiers Ipswich School and The Perse School plus six other qualifiers at the finals next month.
The national stages will be played on Friday January 23 and Sat 24 at the following venues – boys U16 & U18 (Aldersley Leisure Centre, Wolverhampton), girls U16 (Perdiswell Leisure Centre, Worcester) and girls U18 (Cocks Moor Woods, Birmingham)
The runners-up and winners from each region will qualify for the national stages and are split into two seeded pools.
Each team plays four pool matches with the winners and runners up of each pool qualifying for the semi finals which are played at the same venue, after the pool matches.
The two winning semi finalists play in the final at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham on Sunday January 25.
1.12.08
Warwick School hope to have Midlands U18 prop Sean McCarthy back in action for their Daily Mail U18 Schools Cup fifth round tie at Norwich School on December 10.McCarthy has been sidelined for around six weeks with a shoulder injury but he is close to regaining fitness and Warwick hope that he will be able to rejoin the squad for a tough trip to East AngliaWarwick also hope to be able to include scrum-half James Catherall who has recently returned to action after 18 months out following knee reconstruction surgery.
Catherall made his comeback as a replacement in the fourth round victory over Solihull School.But Warwick, winners of the competition two years ago, will be without key lock Hamish Smithers for the rest of the season.
He suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in Warwick's very first game of the campaign and is now recovering from surgery.Despite Smithers' absence, Warwick have reached the last 32 for a third successive season though they were given a fright by Solihull who led 8-6 at the break of their Warwickshire derby.Warwick missed a number of first half scoring opportunities but compensated after the break when they blitzed Solihull with 33 points in a 15 minute purple patch. “Everything we touched seemed to turn to gold, but we missed a couple of other scoring chances during that period as well,” said Mark Nasey, Warwick's director of rugby.The fifth round tie will bring new opponents for Warwick and an overnight stay for their players.“Isn't Norwich somewhere near Norway?” Nasey joked. “It's going to be a four hour trip for us and there is no way that we could do that on the morning of the match given the risk of traffic problems.“So we shall be going the night before which means that we can guarantee the game goes ahead.“From what we hear Norwich's head master is getting the school out so that should make for a great atmosphere.
“We don't know anything about them at all. But that's what makes this competition exciting for both teams. It's about meeting new opponents and going into different environments.”
25.11.08
Nottingham High School pupil, James Taylor has been chosen to represent Great Britain in the 2008/09 U17 British Orienteering Start Squad.
As part of his training, James, 16, has recently returned from a week of extensive training in Trondheim, Norway, which involved running in the forest and terrains twice a day as well as reviewing race and training performance to highlight areas for improvement.
This preparation culminated in the Mid-Norwegian Champs race, a three day event in which James ran with hundreds of people from all over the world, including as far away as Australia.
The race comprised of a 3.5km sprint race in which James came sixth, a 8km long race which saw James come ninth and a relay race in which James team finished in 16th place out of over 50 teams.
In addition, James, a keen orienteer from the age of 12, has been awarded sponsorship from the UK Sport World Class Talented Athlete Sponsorship Scheme (TASS), following good performances on the GB team in Sweden this summer and the selection races last Spring.
James said: “I had a great time in Norway, and I am thrilled with my own personal results as well as those our team achieved.
“I will now be training hard and aiming to compete in the Future Champions Cup races in Spring 2009.
“A good performance in these races will hopefully enable me to get selected for the GB team for the Junior World Orienteering Champs. I’d particularly like to thank all the staff at my school who have encouraged and supported me all the way.”
Nottingham High School headmaster Kevin Fear said: “This is a significant achievement for James and we are all very proud of him.
“James is an outstanding ambassador for both his school and the city. He thoroughly deserves this selection and we will follow his progress with interest.”
James is also a member of the Nottinghamshire Orienteering Club and represents the East Midlands Orienteering Association.
24.11.08
Former Leicester Tigers players Troy Thacker and Ian Smith will be in opposing camps when Leicester GS host Oakham School in the Daily Mail U18 Schools Cup fourth round tomorrow.Smith was Leicester's captain when Thacker, a hooker, played under him at Welford Road and they are now passing on their vast experience to the next generation of rugby players as coaches of the respective schools.“Smith was the finest captain I played under,” said Thacker, who is in charge of Leicester GS. “It's always good to have the chance for a catch-up with him.“There is a rivalry between the schools and between the players but not between myself and Smithy. We will just be happy to see a nice a game of rugby.”Smith, who is now Oakham's director of rugby, took the honours earlier in the season when Leicester GS surrendered a 7-0 half-time lead and were beaten, a performance that Thacker believes typifies their season to date.“Consistency has been our big problem,” he said. “Some games we play some good stuff, some games we play some bad stuff. Next Tuesday it will all depend on which side turns up.”Leicester GS are enjoying their best run in the competition in eight years since a side that included Luke Abraham, the Sale Sharks and former Leicester Tigers flanker, reached the last 32 and were beaten at Manchester GS.“There are no outstanding individuals in this team,” Thacker said. “They are just a good team who work hard for each other.
“No one stands out head and shoulders above the rest. They are a solid squad who want to play for each other.”
23.11.08
Northampton School for Boys will be looking to their U15 side to make up for the disappointment of their senior XV's exit from the Daily Mail Schools U18 Cup.A 21-18 third round defeat at Oakham School, who defended heroically, ended NSB's interest in the U18 competition but their U15s are already through to the fifth round and now face a home tie against Bishop Vesey's GS from Sutton Coldfield this Wednesday.“We believe that some of the players in this U15 team will be good enough to play in the senior XV when they move up next year," said Mark Lee, NSB's director of rugby.“They are a good side and are strong all around the pitch. In the past we have had sides that have been either been very strong up front or with quick backs.“But this U15 side is strong throughout. We do have some big but mobile forwards and we have some pace in the backs.“We believe that it is a side that has the potential to go further in the Daily Mail but we will not be taking Bishop Vesey's lightly and we cannot afford to.”NSB have already beaten Bishop Vesey's this season, a 19-5 away success in a friendly back in September.
But Bishop Vesey's have improved steadily since then under their new director of rugby Zak Feaunati, the former Bath and Samoa back-row forward.
Three members of the NSB U15 side have already impressed sufficiently to be included in the academy set-up at Guinness Premiership club Northampton Saints in centre partners Tom Collins and Jordan Husband and back-row forward Jack Allen.
21.11.08
Our Lady of Sion School’s U16 team has been crowned Sussex champions for the third year running in the county round of the Sporting Destinations National School’s Netball Championships.
Eleven schools took part in the county tournament, held at Roedean School in Brighton.
The Sion School girls beat Brighton College 8-6, Burgess Hill 7-1, Durrington 8-3 and Oakmeeds 9-2 before defeating Imberhorne School in the final 7-0.
The team - Haylee Cawdell, Rebecca Guttridge, Georgina Thow, Olivia Ravan, Myffy Cairns, Sarah Waterton, Katie Taylor and Emma Withers - will now go forward to compete in the South of England Regional Tournament.
Last year they reached the regional final, even though the girls were a year younger than the teams they were playing against.
This year they are hoping to repeat their success of two years ago, when they made the national finals of the U14 section.
21.11.08
Oxfordshire's Bloxham School are relishing the chance to take on the Daily Mail Cup champions Wellington College next week in the fourth round of the U18 competition.The private co-educational school are in just their second year of the tournament but have already surpassed their cup success rate and now face their toughest challenge yet.1st XV Coach Andy Goldsmith said: “We are really pleased to have got this far. The boys love playing cup rugby, they really rise to the occasion of it, and now they have the chance to play the national champions. This will certainly be a big day for the lads.”A 21-14 defeat of local rivals Stowe School in the third round, which cancelled out an earlier league win for Stowe this season, handed Bloxham the opportunity to take on Wellington College.
Goldsmith added: “Playing Stowe was a bit of a grudge match as they had already beaten us this season, so we were delighted with the result. We also had a good win over Wood Green School in the first round followed by a bye in round two.”
Bloxham's Daily Mail Cup aspirations have suffered a knock though with the loss of Oxfordshire U18 scrum-half Will Powell who broke his hand.
“There's no question that this will be our toughest fixture of the season and we will have to work around losing Will to an injury, but I know the lads will be up for this game,” added Goldsmith.
“Hopefully it will be a sunny day as we like playing with pace out-wide and chucking the ball around, but if not we are very tough defensively. We are a school that punches above our weight and I hope we can show that against Wellington College.”
21.11.08
Corsham School hope to continue making school history next week when the comprehensive school contest the fifth round of the Daily Mail U15s Cup against Millfield School.
The Wiltshire side have never been as successful as this in the schools cup before and Corsham School are enjoying the experience.
Rugby coach Tim Unwin said: “We are a confident team that play good rugby. We are a committed side and hopefully we can keep making school history.”
Corsham reached the fifth round after wins over Malborough College, Bishop Wordworth School, Dauntsey's School and St Johns from Marlborough.
Unwin added: “We have beaten some strong teams this season and that is partly because this side is made up of a successful local club, Corsham RFC.
“They have had a junior section grow up to over 250 members, fielding sides from under 7s to under 18s and this is beginning to show in the results of Corsham School locally, and hopefully further afield.
“Our games, apart from St Johns, have been close affairs with the closest score on the last play at Dauntseys when James Cryer went the length of the pitch to seal a 19-13 win. The games against Bishop Wordsworth and Marlborough College have been close affairs too.”
There's no doubt that Corsham now face their toughest challenge of the season with a clash against Millfield School, who are regular cup contenders, but Unwin is hoping some of his star players will be in the thick of the action.
“We have got some very good individual players. No8 Tim Norton and centre James Cryer have bagged most of the tries, and Jacob Unwin has kept the scoreboard ticking over with the boot as well as controlling the game at fly half.
“We also have Adam 'Gus' Jamieson back in the front row after a head injury kept him out last year, which has given us a big lift. The rest of the side is made up from Corsham club players with a few extras that are enjoying the experience of playing rugby.”
20.11.08
Pupils at Felsted Prep School in Essex are enjoying a new sports hall after three years of fund raising.
Essex cricketer and Felsted parent Jason Gallian ran a cricket workshop in the new Roed Hall with pupils following the opening.
Headmistress Jenny Burrett said: “We are extremely grateful to all our donors who gave so generously over the past few years to make this possible.
“This will make a huge difference to the School particularly during wet weather when pupils are unable to practise key sports. The Hall is also available for hire by the local community.”
20.11.08
Local rivalry always adds an extra spice to the Daily Mail Schools Cup competitions and that feature is sure to be a part of the fourth round U18 Cup game at Woodhouse Grove when Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School from Wakefield are visitors to Apperley Bridge.Neither side is really setting the game alight, but both can point to handicaps that have hampered progress and to a gritty response to those setbacks.When QEGS won the Tynedale International School Tournament at the start of the season, the future looked extremely rosy for the Yorkshire lads.
Victory, albeit by the only score of a tense final against previous winners Filton College from Bristol, was just the boost QEGS needed to launch another campaign.Sadly, while skipper Joe Barker managed to lift the Tynedale Council Trophy, it was to be his last rugby activity of the season.
He subsequently damaged his knee ligaments and is now consigned to a season on the sidelines, a body blow to QEGS ambitions.With fellow international Andrew Forsyth also ruled out because of his commitments at Leicester RFC and a stress fracture of the back and with North U18 wing James Woods only resuming playing recently, the statistics look reasonably satisfactory.“All things considered, we haven't been doing too badly,” says director of sport Trevor Barker: “We've lost by a score away to both RGS Lancaster and Wilmslow, but otherwise we've had some good wins.“The bulk of the squad is the year that did well as U15s and includes four players currently in the Yorkshire U18 squad - props George Birkinshaw and Josh Bayford, lock Ben Morris and No 8 Matt Locock.”With Woodhouse Grove coach Anthony Cadman also in charge of the Yorkshire county team, he will be well aware of the threat posed by the QEGS pack when the pair meet in the next round.Another Grovian with first-hand experience of what to expect is their hooker, Harry Hannan, who also represents Yorkshire and will be packing down with the QEGS contingent in another keenly fought derby, the U18 Roses match, at Ripon on Sunday.Hannan is very much the talisman of the Grove side. A member of the Leeds Academy and widely tipped to go a long way in the game, he has a formidable physical presence and is sure to pose a few problems for the visitors from his school role in the back-row.Fly-half Elliott Cosgrove is another player who has already put down a marker with Castleford Tigers RL Academy, while versatile Jacob Young has been in the county U19 squad.“Harry is big enough and strong enough to do the work of four men,” says master in charge Roger Howard, with tongue every-so-slightly in cheek: “He holds the side together by playing at No 8 generally and he's very highly regarded.
“We've had a mixed season largely because of injuries and I think Anthony has done very well all things considered. We'll be going into the QEGS game as underdogs and we're relishing the challenge. Nobody comes here and has an easy time.”
19.11.08
Northampton School for Boys will open their new floodlit artificial football pitch this Saturday.
The Fieldturf S1 3rd generation rubber crumb facility, installed by ERDC, represents the latest in artificial sports field technology.
Complete with associated player and spectator access, the facility comprises full size floodlit football pitch, spectator area, player shelters and maintenance facility.
To celebrate the opening of the facility, the school U12, U13 and U14 teams will play ‘back to back’ fixtures on the pitch against Northampton Town FC Centre of Excellence teams kicking off at 9am, 10.30am and 12.15pm.
At noon, guest speaker Dave Woollaston, English Schools Football Association Chairman of International Coaching & Selection, will perform the official opening ceremony.
Then, from 2.30pm, the pitch will play host to an English Schools Football Association U18 international trial match, with the top young schoolboys from the Midlands and South East regions competing for the chance to play for their country.
Northampton School for Boys has developed a rich pedigree for sport across a number of activities, culminating in the Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Award for State School of the Year in 2006.
The development of this facility mirrors the growing strength of the football programme at the school.
A Football Association Chartermark school, NSB were involved in more than 70 inter-school football fixtures across the age ranges last season, with eleven teams at either A, B or C levels training on a weekly basis.
The U12 and U13 squads reached the last 32 stage of the ESFA National Schools competitions and the U14 squad reached the last 64 stage.
Now in its fifth year, the U13 squad have an established annual Easter tour to the USA, where they billet with families associated with the Desert Foothills Soccer Club in Phoenix Arizona.
The squad will be working hard to raise money for this year’s tour, where they will play games against clubs in Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The school is also committed to developing its young coaches and officials. Senior players lead elements of the training sessions with the younger boys at the B and C levels and there is a weekly student-led goalkeeper clinic.
In addition, the twelve qualified referees amongst the senior students rotate to officiate the majority of home fixtures at the school.
Beyond PE and school sport, Northampton School for Boys has always sought to develop strong school–club links.
This season the new facility will be used as the weekly training venue for the Northampton Town FC Centre of Excellence teams at all age groups, together with the NTFC Advanced Player Development Centres.
In addition, the pitch will be used ‘out of hours’ by the junior and senior players of the local Old Boys’ association, the Old Northamptonians’ Chenecks.
The facility will also host popular holiday coaching courses for boys and girls from the Northampton area, organised by the Arsenal franchised Back of the Net Coaching Company.
18.11.08
Warden Park Comprehensive from Cuckfield in Sussex will visit Brighton College in the fifth round of the Daily Mail U15 Rugby Union Cup after knocking out three public schools - Christ's Hospital, St Bede's, Hailsham and Dulwich College.
Last season Warden Park won the Sussex state schools cup and coach Paul Perry said: “The amazing aspect is that there are only five full-time rugby players. We have school footballers, cross-country runners, and basketball players.”
18.11.08
Magdalen College Junior School’s U11 cricket team are touring North Yorkshire from June 21-26 this year and are looking for fixtures.
The Oxford school play hardball cricket and are happy with either twenty or thirty+ over matches.
Interested schools can contact John Place at jplace@mcsoxford.org or 01865 458482.
17.11.08
Bragging rugby union rights on the South Coast in the Daily Mail U18 Cup went to Portsmouth Grammar in a high-quality 21-20 win at home to King Edward VI from Southampton.The early skirmishes were fast and furious at Hilsea and some good driving forward play from King Edwards and a missed tackle on the fringe of a maul allowed Rob Lewis to score the opening try converted by Charlie Cooper.PGS replied with a penalty from Richard Cha, but Cooper kicked two for King Edward for a 13-3 half-time lead.A try from full back got PGS back into it, then Hampshire U18 scrum half Tom Brooks made a break and prop Harry Brooks got over to level the scores.Cha's conversion and penalty made it 18-13 to PGS before Hampshire U18 fly half Chris Lewis landed a long-range penalty.
A late King Edward rally in which Adam Wilkinson scored a try converted by Cooper was not enough.
Portsmouth Grammar were less successful in their fourth round U15 Cup tie, losing 31-19 to Brighton College.
16.11.08
West Suffolk College battled on two fronts in one day, but had to give best in their Daily Mail U18 Cup tie against Norfolk's Norwich School.WSC had won the RFU's Play On Students 10s competition at their local club, Bury St Edmunds RFC, before setting off for the evening meeting with Norwich School.Having been delayed by traffic, followed by a delay in the start of the match by a lights malfunction, it was a long hard evening for WSC.
Norwich's speedy back three helped them to a half-time advantage of 8-3 and it was 21-6 by the end
15.11.08
Whisper it softly around Chris Jones and Phil Friel, coaches of The Campion School, Hornchurch, but their side are away to St Joseph's College, Ipswich in the fourth round of the Daily Mail Schools U18 Cup.Asked after Campion's 43-5 win in the third round tie at local rivals Coopers Company & Coborn whether he thought the next opposition would be tough, Jones replied: “I've no idea. We always feel it's presumptuous to look at the next round so we never look at the draw. It's the wrong mentality for the lads in the team.”The pride of this part of Essex in the north-east suburbs of London was at stake as Campion - alma mater of internationals Lions tourists Tony Diprose and Damian Cronin - made the three-mile trip to Coopers' home in Upminster.Neither side dominated the breakdown so it came down to who could use their possession best, and Campion were clear winners on that score, particularly when Coopers began to chase the game and conceded too many turnovers after trailing 17-5 at half-time.Wing Mike Eghan ran in three tries for The Campion and there were others for No 8 and captain, Joe Jones - whose strong running was a feature throughout - centre Andy Lewis, full back Callum Howard and wing Dan Smith.
The Coopers try by wing Jon Foong, who has been selected for Saracens' Academy, was scant consolation, although defeat was bittersweet for Coopers coach Leigh Marshall, who also looks after Essex U16s.“There were a few of our old Essex U16 side in the Campion team,” Marshall said. “It was good to see them and say hello even if the result on the day wasn't what I was looking for.“Our players kept trying to make things happen and I would always encourage them to do that.”Chris Jones, whose Campion side played most of the match with 14 men after a sending-off, was content with his young team's performance.
He said: “The 1st XV is based mainly on the lower sixth and they're learning as they go.“We were choked a little at the breakdown but we made ground from the opposition's mistakes. It's the fourth time we have played Coopers in the cup, and we have three wins and one stoppage due to a high score, so we are happy.”
Campion - who have also brought through top-flight players Kevin Sorrell, John Rudd, Dan Zaltzmann, Stuart Philpott, Dan Dooley and Daren O'Leary in recent years - will be touring South Africa next summer but St Joseph's are their next U18 Cup test.
13.11.08
Olympic and Paralympic gold medallists Darren Campbell and Helene Raynsford have given their backing to the Sky Sports Living for Sport programme.
The renamed scheme which aims to engage 30,000 young people through sport by 2012 was launched today by Andy Burnham MP Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Steve Grainger chief executive Youth Sport Trust and Sky’s chief executive Jeremy Darroch.
Sky Sports Living for Sport aims to provide every secondary school in the UK with the chance to use sport to motivate and inspire young people, between 11 and 16 years old, at risk of opting out of school life.
The free programme, available at www.skysports.com/livingforsport, was created by The Youth Sport Trust in partnership with Sky.
Living For Sport has been renamed Sky Sports Living For Sport to reflect Sky’s investment and support of sport at all levels through rights fees, promotion, airtime and sponsorship schemes which encourage the development and participation of sport.
The scheme, supported by the department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), aims to encourage pupils to take on different activities and learn new sports, from football to fencing and basketball to boccia.
Teachers can use these sessions to help pupils work towards measurable self-development goals that help build interpersonal and leadership skills.
As the pupils grow and develop they are encouraged to put their new skills and confidence into practice outside the initiative by conceiving and managing their own sporting events.
The ambition of the project is for 2,000 schools and 30,000 young people to register with Sky Sports Living for Sport by 2012 and to build the activities into curricular and extra curricular activities.
Former sprint-star Darren Campbell will be leading a group of sporting mentors who will provide help and advice to youngsters involved with the programme.
He said: “I have heard first hand from teachers and pupils at schools who talk passionately about Sky Sports Living for Sport and I've seen for myself the life-changing journeys many pupils have made.
“I always walk away from school visits both proud and incredibly humbled and I look forward to meeting even more of those who are benefiting from the programme.”
Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s chief executive, added: “This programme has already proven that sport has the power to change lives. Now we want to help make a difference to tens of thousands of young people across the country.”
Steve Grainger, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “Sky Sports Living for Sport is a real success story that has produced some great results over the last five years to motivate and inspire thousands of young people.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer the project to every secondary school in the country through the new website and hope that by using the power of sport, we can support thousands more youngsters through the programme.”
Jaskiran Rai, Young sports leader for Sky Sports Living for Sport, said: “Taking part in Sky Sports Living for Sport has given me more confidence and a new interest in extra curricular activities.
“I was very shy at school but taking part in sport has encouraged me to be more outgoing. I am now a sports leader, working with local primary school to deliver activity days and sports events to help other children less able than myself.”
An independent study on the impact of Sky Sports Living for Sport carried out by The Institute of Youth Sport at Loughborough University provided encouraging statistics.
Eighty per cent of teachers reported that pupils had benefited from project aims and 68.7% of teachers reported the project had a positive impact on bullying in their schools.
For more information, visit www.skysports.com/livingforsport.com or www.youthsporttrust.org
12.11.08
Seven primary schools took part in Hammersmith and Fulham’s first skip2bfit skipping Challenge.
Larmenier & Sacred Heart Primary School picked up five trophies in the event arranged through Hammersmith & Fulham Sports Development and School Sport Partnership.
Skip2bfit founder John McCormack said: “I was so pleased to see so many children having such a wonderful time, trying to win the trophies for the school.
“In particular I would like to congratulate St John’s who were so excited on winning the Junior Challenge Cup.”
Schools competed for a selection of trophies by skipping individually or in groups for two minutes to see how many skips they can do.
11.11.08
Ashley School from Widnes were beaten in the final of the Rugby Football Union's National MLD Schools competition, but they returned from their first visit to Twickenham with lots of very positive memories.“We had a good trip,” said team manager Kevin Fairbanks. “We lost in the final to a Berkshire schools team but feel very proud that our school team gave this county select team a run for their money. “The South West were represented by a team drawn from three schools, so I thought we did very well. Taking part in the match and a guard of honour was great, something we all enjoyed and an experience we'll always remember.
“We are very proud of the achievement and behaviour of our pupils. We congratulated the Berkshire team on their win and for the friendship shown on the day.”
7.11.08
The regional stages of the Carnegie Champion Schools Tournament, the world's biggest rugby league knockout competition, were launched today by Castleford Tigers star Joe Westerman who three years ago represented Airedale High School in the competition.
From 2001 to 2006, the Tigers loose forward played for Airedale High School in the competition which attracts well over 20,000 pupils each year, and at the launch he was on hand to give advice to rugby league’s potential stars of the future.
He said: “Playing in the Carnegie Champion Schools Tournament gave me a great grounding in the sport.
“I represented Airedale High School in the competition for five years and we reached the national final on three occasions, winning it in 2005.
“It was fantastic to represent my school in the competition and play with my mates against other schools.”
The 2008-2009 Carnegie Champion Schools Tournament began in September with the local stages which have recently concluded.
The action now steps up a level with the most successful schools in each local area competing in the regional stages of the tournament.
The best schools from the regional stages across the UK will then progress through to the Carnegie Champion Schools national stage which reaches its climax in London over the Carnegie Challenge Cup weekend with the majority of the finals being played at a spectacular showpiece event in London.
However, the highlight is the Carnegie Champion Schools year 7 boy’s final which is held at Wembley Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final.
Last year Wigan's Standish High School ran out 58-8 winners against Pickering High School from Hull in front of more than 80,000 supporters.
Following their triumph, Standish High School have been feted through the town and they recently had a reception with the mayor of the borough to celebrate their achievement.
Joe Westerman added: “To play at Wembley is a lifelong ambition for many players with only a lucky few ever getting the chance to step on the hallowed turf. The fact that 11 year olds up and down and country can get to play at the world famous stadium by reaching the year 7 final is fantastic.”
Representatives from successful local schools Castleford High, Freeston High and Airedale High who are all involved in the Yorkshire regional competition were present at the launch.
Last year 429 schools participated in the Carnegie Champion Schools Tournament which included 1,318 separate boys’ teams and 185 girl’s teams.
Over the last six years more than 1,915 schools, 6,780 teams and over 111,232 pupils have taken part in the competition, and it still continues to expand with new schools joining the tournament each year.
Any school interested in taking part in the Carnegie Champion Schools Tournament should visit www.carnegiechampionschools.co.uk
7.11.08
Ashley School from Widnes will be heading for Twickenham today with a special good luck message from England rugby union team manager Martin Johnson to speed them on their way.Johnson is making his management debut in the game against the Pacific Islanders, a challenge he shares with his counterpart from Ashley School, Kevin Fairbanks, who, along with colleague Keely Glover, will be leading their team into the first final of the National MLD Schools competition against a combined team from Holyport and Arbor Vale Schools on Berkshire.Learning of the curtain-raiser and that Ashley would be forming a guard of honour when the senior players run onto the pitch, Johnson sent the following message to his opposite number:He said: “Kevin. Just a quick note to wish you and the Ashley team good luck at Twickenham on Saturday in the National MLD Schools competition final.“I still remember how excited and nervous I was during the build-up to my first game and what it was like when I ran out into the stadium.“Saturday is obviously another 'first' for me in terms of making my debut as England manager and I can imagine just how you as the Ashley manager and your team will be feeling now and at kick-off time.“It will be a very special occasion that we'll never forget. I hope it's the same for you and Ashley School. Have a great day.”The gesture brought a warm response from Fairbanks, who said: “The message is very much appreciated. I was thinking earlier in the week that we were sharing an experience in being at Twickenham as managers for the first time and the kids will love the fact that he's sent his best wishes.” Ashley reached Twickenham by winning tag rugby tournaments for U16s with moderate learning difficulties at Blackburn and Leeds to qualify for the final as the Northern champions.
Earlier they were presented with medals for their victory at Leeds, copies of a team picture from that event and some kit for their Twickenham trip.The school assembly was also attended by Mark Sutcliffe, the rugby development officer for Merseyside, who told the team: “You are all very lucky people. There are rugby union players - including professionals - who play all their careers and never get a chance to run out on the Twickenham turf. You deserve it from what you've achieved so far.”Ashley will travel today, staying in Cheshunt overnight, before going on to Twickenham on Saturday morning and visiting the Museum of Rugby. They then start their big-match build-up in earnest.The whole adventure only began in May when the school first started tag rugby sessions.
Fairbanks added: “We've had rugby on our curriculum previously, but we've only done five or six sessions with an eye on developing the cooperation element within the game and the running skills - aspects of rugby that are transferable to other sports.“We received an offer of tag rugby coaching by Merseyside RFU through Merseyside sport and community rugby coach Mark Devine came in for four sessions in May. The kids loved it.
“We went on to enter and win the North West festival held at Blackburn in July and then came away winners of the North finals at Leeds. We were surprised, but of course highly delighted. “Now there's a great atmosphere in the school - the place is really bubbling and everyone is very excited. The problem is that as a small school, we can't cater for everybody playing a full range of sports and it will be interesting to see how many of the players join local clubs.“Until the RFU lads came in to help, our only support had come from Widnes Vikings, but now, through this success, we've broadened awareness, so maybe we'll get more people interested in us.
“We've already been invited to a Merseyside Festival to be run in April and we'll be there. It's all very positive.”
One person who will be rejoicing at the school's success is the man after which it is named - Jack Ashley, Baron Ashley of Stoke, who was born in Widnes, educated at a local elementary school and has always been a champion of people facing adversity.
6.11.08
Scotland’s top Scottish school sides joined the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup today as the top seeds entered round four of the competition.
The top 16 – which includes big names such as Stewart’s Melville, Edinburgh Academy, Galashiels Academy and George Watson’s College – will face the victors of round three which saw the teams seeded from 17 to 32 come up against the unseeded victors from the previous round.
A Borders derby between Galashiels Academy and Selkirk High School is among the highlights of the round which sees defending Cup champions Merchiston Castle School travel to Kilmacolm to face last season’s beaten Bowl finalists, St Columba’s High School, while 2006/2007 Cup champions Bell Baxter High School travel to Glasgow to play Hutchesons' Grammar School.
Colin Thomson, head of community rugby at Scottish Rugby, said: “It’s always a very exciting time for any competition when the top teams join the action and we’re delighted that, yet again, even more schools across Scotland will get to be a part of that excitement.
“Every year we have a lot of new rugby sides joining the competition and in order to maximise the enjoyment for these young players we opted to seed 32 of the rugby sides based on their progress in the previous year while continuing to offer a secondary and tertiary trophy – the plate and bowl.
“We have been working very hard on our youth and schools rugby and believe the growing number of young players playing the game and the continuing success of the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup is testimony to that.”
This year, entries for the 2008/2009 Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup set another new record with 35 more teams entering Scottish Rugby’s flagship schools competition than ever before.
The tournament has broken entry records for the past three consecutive years with the total number of competing teams soaring from 184 in 2006/2007 to 244 in 2008/2009 – a massive 33% increase.
Scottish Rugby aims to increase the number and amount of rugby played in state secondary schools and efforts to introduce it to the comprehensive curriculum are showing signs of success as 16 state schools are set to compete in the tournament for the first time.
6.11.08
RGS Newcastle have their sights set on a possible rematch with local rivals Barnard Castle if they can get through another couple of rounds of the Daily Mail U18 Rugby Union Schools Cup.Duchess High School from Alnwick are next on the RGS itinerary next Wednesday at Alnwick RFC and while they are taking nothing for granted, it will be serious feather in the Duchess cap and a formbook upset if they don't progress.“We've had a mixed season so far,” says Paul Ponton, who has handed over the first-team reins to Jim Pollock and is working with the U16s in his final year in teaching.
“We were beaten by Sedbergh, Barnie and Kirkham in a fairly challenging sequence of matches, but we were only beaten 23-21 at Barnard Castle, so we're conscious that a rematch could possibly be on the horizon.“Overall, the team is much changed from the side that reached the quarter-finals last year and went out to eventual winners Wellington College, but they've settled down well. We have an interesting balance in that the upper sixth players are in the pack, while the back division contains the younger players coming into the team.“They were part of the very successful U16 team we had last year and came back from New Zealand unbeaten and only lost to the Cook Islands on their summer tour.“We still have Scottish Exiles U17 and Falcons Academy lock Findlay McGowan captaining the side, while prop Luke Handalage and flanker Oliver Irons were also involved last season.
“In the backs, fly-half Andrew Hall is another player from last season. They're the major players who are still with us. We've had a fairly major re-shuffle and we're certainly not as strong as last year.”A similar assessment attaches to the U15s, who have home advantage against Duchess.“You wouldn't describe them as a strong side, but you can never tell what can happen on the day,” says Ponton. “If their pack can produce the goods, they can do well. In the past the U15s haven't got through Christmas in the competition, but you can't tell what might happen this year.”Barnard Castle have a repeat of last season's ties when they entertain Queen Elizabeth's, Penrith, who went on to reach the U18 Vase final at Twickenham in April, while there is plenty of added interest from the derby rivalry that decorates some of the other round three pairings.Wilmslow High School's visit to neighbours Lymm High is such a game, while there will be plenty of old-fashioned Red Rose rivalry when RGS Lancaster travel down the M6 to Hutton Grammar, where England's new skipper Steve Borthwick cut his teeth as captain.Calday Grange also have the stimulus of having played at Twickenham last season in the Daily Mail U15 Vase and they will be hoping that the added incentive will prove valuable at Wirral Grammar.In round four of the U15 Cup, two teams especially will be aiming to make the most of having reached this stage without actually beating their round three opponents on the pitch.Local rivals Bradford Grammar and Leeds Grammar drew 14-14 at Bradford and Merchant Taylor's edged out Wirral Grammar after finishing 12-12 at Wirral, but both progressed courtesy of the 'away side' rule which gives the visitors an edge if the scoring patterns are identical.
Now both are on the road again in round four, although Leeds do not have too far to travel.
They are involved in an even closer 'derby' game when they travel a couple of miles to Roundhay School.
5.11.08
Bedford Modern School's rugby is enjoying an upturn in fortunes under former England prop Rob Hardwick.Hardwick took charge as Bedford Modern's director of rugby at the start of last season when his playing career, which included long stints with Coventry, his home-town club, and London Irish ended, and he is now in overall charge of 18 teams across the age groups.Though an administrative error led to Bedford Modern's U15 team being expelled from the Daily Mail U15 Schools Cup for playing an ineligible player, their senior side, coached by former Bedford player Ashley Tapper, is going well in the Daily Mail U18 Schools Cup having beaten Biddenham Upper School 49-0 and Stratton Upper School 50-10.They will now have home advantage for the first time against Redbourne Upper School in the third round today when they expect to field a side that includes two Saracens academy players in centre Henry Staff and flanker Tom Wheeler plus scrum-half Chris Wood who played for Midlands U16s last season.“I'm really enjoying my new role,” Hardwick said. “It's great job to be in and it's a really challenging one working with players from across the age groups.“The school is putting a lot of time and effort into improving rugby at the school and although we might not have the numbers to choose from, there is plenty of talent here.“Part of my remit is to identify and develop talent players and I was very pleased with the development of Sam Staff, Henry's elder brother, last year. He was a huge lad who had played in lots of different positions and he had become a victim of his size."He was a very skilful player but I thought that because of his size his position should be tighthead prop. At 6ft 3ins and 21 stone he was going to be a fantastic commodity. He's now at Loughborough and he's just been snapped up by Saracens.”Hardwick combines his duties at Bedford Modern with part-time work as one of the RFU's citing officers for Guinness Premiership matches.“I think the two jobs go together,” Hardwick said. “It's important that Premiership players are role models for youngsters. If youngsters see the top players doing something on television then they will copy it.
“The game is very clean at the top level these days, you rarely get cases of mass citings but helping to maintain discipline is something that I find interesting and which I enjoy.”
4.11.08
Teachers, students and parents will get the opportunity to gain an understanding of the skills needed to coach or teach netball to young people aged between 7 and 11 years at a netball coaching course. The England Netball Combine course will take place on Sunday 23rd November 2008 from 10am to 4pm at Canterbury Christ Church University’s Gymnasium, situated at the University’s North Holmes Road Campus, North Holmes Road, Canterbury.It will enable participants to teach netball at a standard level and covers essential skills, tactics and rules. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive and attendance certificate enabling them to progress onto the next level. Canterbury Christ Church University’s Sports and Recreation Officer, Kim Debling, said: “Courses such as this one are a stepping stone to developing confidence and provide the individual with the opportunity to access higher level courses. This course is excellent for an aspiring sports teacher or parent wishing to further their skills in the teaching profession.”The course is open to the public and costs £26 for students and £30 for non-students. No playing experience of netball is required. This course will be repeated on Sunday 1st February 2009 and Sunday 10th May 2009.
For more information and to reserve a place on the course contact Canterbury Christ Church University’s Sports and Recreation Officer, Kim Debling, on 01227 782679 or email kim.debling@canterbury.ac.uk
3.11.08
These are busy and exciting times for Whitgift in the Daily Mail Schools U18 and U15 Cup competitions.
The school in Croydon, south London, attended by England and London Wasps fly half Danny Cipriani, are through to the third round of the Daily Mail U18 Cup – where they will face Gordon’s – and the fourth round of the U15s, where their opponents are Colfe’s.
That’s a total of five cup matches played and won across the two age groups so far this season, and Chris Wilkins, the former Blackheath, Wasps and Esher flanker who is Whitgift’s director of rugby, is particularly pleased with the U15s progress.
“It has been a difficult year for the U15s, with a number of influential players injured,” Wilkins said. “The boys have worked hard and learned how to play without what might be called their key leaders.”
James Margetson, the back row forward and captain, injured an ankle in a mountain bike accident during the summer and No 8 Harry Ledger has only recently returned to fitness.
Wilkins has worked at Whitgift for 18 months and is also the forwards coach at Esher RFC in National Division One.
He paid tribute to the U15s coach, Adrian Norris, and added that having a director of rugby looking after all the groups from year 6 to year 13 was paying dividends.
“The younger players can relate much better to the 1st XV and in return some of the first team help with their sessions,” Wilkins said.
“I love it, working with the 10-year-olds all the way through to the 18-year-olds in their final year.”
Whitgift U18s have accounted for Reeds and St George’s College, Weybridge, while the U15s defeated Priory Orpington, Wallington County Grammar and Langley Park School for Boys (the winners of last season’s Daily Mail U15 Vase).
Chatham House Grammar School for Boys in Ramsgate will doubtless welcome the comforts of home for their third round tie in the Daily Mail U18 Cup against Kent rivals Sir Roger Manwood’s from Sandwich.
Chatham House, who can count former Prime Minister, Sir Edward Heath, among their alumni, had narrow away wins over the Norton Knatchbull School (13-10) and Duke of York’s RMS (17-12) in the first and second rounds.
Chatham House are also preparing a new Rugby Academy for the 2009-10 academic year, which should help bring on successors to former pupil and current London Wasps academy lock forward Matt Corker.
A school spokesperson said: “Our school's governing body, our local physical education advisor and representatives from the RFU have all positively responded to this proposed scheme.”
2.11.08
South Bradford School Sport Partnership is hosting a large pom cheer introduction and competition on November 20 at Richard Dunn Sports Centre in Bradford from 9am to noon.
More than 1100 primary school girls from years 1 to 6 will be taking park, assisted by secondary school girls who are hoping to qualify for their cheer leaders, leader award.
Partnership development manager Claire Myers said: “Three cheer clubs will be present with one leading the session. We’ll hopefully be showing that alternative sports and physical activity can be fun.”
1.11.08
Lucky girls at Liskeard Community School had two whole days of being introduced to contact rugby this week.
Kevin Moggridge, one of the RFUW’s club and coach officer, joined forces with Andy Demaine, chairman of Liskeard & Looe RFC mini junior section and head coach of the Liskeard & Looe Leopards Teams, Chris Hocking, Liskeard & Looe RFC senior head coach and U16s team coach, as well as numerous members of the PE staff from the school.
They delivered five sessions of contact rugby on both days to girls from years 7-11.
Kevin spent Monday evening with the girls and ladies and helped train the Cornwall U18s Rugby squad at Liskeard & Looe on their Trevecca pitch underneath the newly installed training lights funded by a grant from the RFU.
“It was amazing to see the change in the girls’ faces over half an hour,” said’ Kevin. “Girls who said that they didn’t want to get their knees muddy at the outset, were getting into the thick of it within minutes and played a game of full contact rugby by the end of the session.”
This venture, binding school, club, Cornwall rugby and the national coaching development team, is the first of its kind in Cornwall where girls’ rugby is going from strength to strength.
“This is obviously the way to go,” said Mike Bratt, the RFU’s Cornwall regional rugby development officer. “I hope that many of the girls here will want to join a club to develop their rugby skills.”
And the result of all this activity? The Leopards can now put out a brand new U15s team and ten new girls joined the faithful four Leopards.
The Liskeard & Looe Leopards are now in their fourth season and new girls are always welcome. Training is at 6.30 pm every Friday at Trevecca and matches are at 2 pm on Sundays. For more information please contact Ann or Andy Demaine on 01503 230292.
24.10.08
Millfield School in Somerset has become one of the few independent schools to pioneer a new BTech course in physical education.
Mr Adi Whatling, the new head of PE at Millfield, says: “A major advantage of BTech is that teachers take students for four double periods each week which gives them time to develop the subject and there is no need for the kind of clock-watching necessary in some A level courses where lessons last only 35 minutes.
“There are no exams which might lead students to believe that this is an easy option but they soon discover this is not true.
“Millfield is full of budding elite athletes and the BTech is a vocational course geared to their needs because however talented and committed they are, they will not all make it to full professional status and will need the qualifications for an alternative career.”
The BTech has three strands - the Diploma which is the equivalent of three A levels, the Certificate which equals two A levels and the Award which equals one A level.
Particularly suitable for students with dyslexia or dyspraxia, it is a full-time course and most committed sports players just take BTech though some might decide to do one A level as well.
In the first (LVI) year, the students take six units, taught by three members of staff. Then, in February 2009, the staff will change. In all, students will take twelve units.
As well as sports nutrition, there are two other main areas of study, there are fitness and exercise testing which are geared to elite athletes and the body in action – anatomy and physiology.
Mr Whatling added: “In a recent session, I asked students to bring in the breakfast they had eaten and discovered that the food they had chosen was unsuitable
for people aspiring to become top athletes.
“Next day I brought in the kind of breakfast they should be choosing, pointing out that
to become a top athlete could depend on what people eat, as there are now such
minute margins between top level competitors.
“As a result of this exercise, students are now much more conscious of their food
choices and frequently consult me on the best options.”
23.10.08
Mark Lancaster, the Conservative MP for Milton Keynes North East, has been witnessing how the Rugby Football Union is taking the game into schools in England.
Mr Lancaster spent an afternoon with one of the RFU’s Community Rugby Coaches (CRCs) in Buckinghamshire.
The visit to Long Meadow School in Milton Keynes was one of a number he is making to projects showcasing the work of the RFU and RFUW’s staff and volunteers as part of the Parliamentary Sports Fellowship Scheme.
The MP watched Buckinghamshire CRC Bob Hardman working with teachers and 30 year 5 and 6 children.
“It really was great to see first hand the work and dedication of community rugby coaches like Bob,” said Lancaster, who is the Shadow Minister for International Development.
“He and many others are making a tremendous difference to the sport at a grassroots level the and enjoyment on the kids faces was there for all to see, I can think of no better way of introducing rugby to a new generation of players.”
Hardman, who works with ten schools each week, has overseen the introduction of rugby to 21,000 primary and middle school children in Buckinghamshire over the last two years.
He delivers five or six consecutive weekly sessions at each venue and trains teachers to make Tag Rugby sustainable within the schools.
Long Meadow’s Chris Nixon was due to attend her coaching foundation course this month.
Hardman’s work is replicated throughout England by 155 community rugby coaches put in place by the RFU since 2003.
“At Long Meadow they’ll have six sessions – 12 hours of coaching in all – delivered partly in the curriculum and partly as an after-school club,” said Hardman.
“The agreement is that if we go into a school, we want to train a teacher too and then we provide a set of equipment for them to use to keep the game going.
“Ultimately we want to encourage kids to move on into clubs with their mates to continue enjoying themselves and I’m sure that will happen with some of them at Long Meadow.
“They’re an enthusiastic bunch of kids, their natural skill levels are high, they have enthusiastic teachers and that should see them do well in the future.”
Lancaster attended as part of the Parliamentary Sports Fellowship Scheme, managed by UK Sport, which aims to build links and increase knowledge sharing between Parliamentarians and sports organisations.
Participants spend seven days working with sport or sport-related organisations involved in the leadership, management or business of sport.
The scheme would be run over a period of one year but with some flexibility to be extended to two years if necessary.
It is also a two-way scheme, giving organisations the chance to spend an equivalent amount of time in Westminster and increase understanding of policy-making and Parliamentary procedures among sports bodies.
22.10.08
Netball players at Our Lady of Sion School have taken part in trials for the Sussex county academies.
Haylee Cawdell and Rebecca Guttridge were both selected for the U16s while Shannon Brightman was selected for the U14s.
Georgina Thow, coached by the school’s dance and PE teacher Mrs. House, was invited to go to Aldershot for the South of England Development Programme and will be playing for Team Bath in the National Training League.
Georgina has also been invited to the England Talent Squad Training.
21.10.08
North Dorset RFC and Gillingham School are celebrating after being awarded a prestigious prize at the UK Sport Young People Best Practice’s Awards.
The Dorset School and Club were named winners of the ‘Best Cutting Edge School Club link by a School/Club’ at the School and Sport Partnership Conference in Telford.
Stephen Keates, North Dorset RFC Chairman, said: “We are delighted that our valued partnership with Gillingham School has been recognised for the benefit of the pupils. This award also highlights the fantastic work our volunteers do to enable us to have such a platform to work with within the community.”
North Dorset RFC and Gillingham School have been recognised for their outstanding work, which has included the two parties working closely to raise the standards of refereeing and coaching.
North Dorset RFC have also made their facilities available for school matches and rugby festivals, the club also sponsor and donate prizes to the school’s sports award evenings and they also promote ambassador school club links and the Step into Sport programmes.
The aim of the School Club Links work strand is to create and develop links between schools and community sports clubs, to support an increase in the number of children aged between 5-16 years old who are participating in community sports clubs.
17.10.08
Eighteen schools from as far afield as Newcastle and Devon took part in the second ISGA Schools Cup this year at Collingtree Park.
The Wellington College team of teacher Iain Henderson and pupils Ed Peters, Alexandra Peters and Jordan Mann won the gross team trophy – ten shots clear of last year’s winners Bedford.
The nett trophy was won by Reeds School from Surrey while the teachers trophy was won by Mark Patterson from St Josephs.
Wellington college players Ed Peters and Alexandra Peters took the best individual trophy for boys and girls.
16.10.08
For the first time in Durham School’s history, an eight crew from the Durham School Boat Club will be competing in The Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, the world’s largest two-day rowing event.
One of only four teams from Great Britain, the school’s 1st Eight will be competing against teams from all over the world in the Youth Eights.
The Head of the Charles was first held in 1965 and over the past 43 years has grown tremendously.
It now welcomes more than 7,500 athletes from around the world who compete in 55 different events over the regatta weekend on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October.
The Durham School 1st Eight crew will compete against an entry of 66 boats in the Youth Eights, including crews from Eton and Radley College.
Team Durham School will be travelling to Boston this week and will be training and competing in a boat lent to them by the Buckingham Brown Nichols School, a prestigious New England school in Cambridge, USA.
As part of the process for selecting the Durham School crew, trials were held by the school over the past six weeks and the final squad announced a few weeks ago by the head of rowing Jon Williamson.
The crew members selected are: (cox) Jack Deverson, Sam Ciampolillo, Matthew Smith, Philip Anderson, Tom Edwards, James Pinner, Josh Tognarelli, Tom Maddick and Harry White.
Jon Williamson, a former World and Commonwealth medallist, said: “The crew has been training hard and have achieved great successes this season, both individually and as an Eight squad, including qualifying and competing at Henley Regatta in the summer.
“We know that we will be up against a very high quality entry for the Regatta and the crew is greatly looking forward to the whole experience and the opportunity to enjoy watching some excellent racing from world class stars from the sport of rowing.”
15.10.08
Calday Grange School from the Wirral and Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School from Penrith are two schools who both tasted the highs and lows of prolonged involvement in the Daily Mail Schools Cup competition last season, both reaching Twickenham only to fall at the final hurdle.
For both, however, the excitement generated not only be reaching the showpiece, but also being involved in the thrill of the journey, is something that will live long in their memories and will give added energy to this season’s challenge.
Calday Grange, U15 Vase finalists, and Queen Elizabeth’s, who reached the final of the U18 Vase, both experienced the way in which a run of success in the Daily Mail and a Twickenham outing can excite not only a school, but also an entire community.
Both have reached round three of the U18 Cup ahead of schedule, with the Cumbrian lads facing a stiff test at beaten semi-finalists Barnard Castle and the Cheshire team looking ahead to an ‘international’ trip to the Isle of Man if King William’s from the island get the better of a home tie with Wirral Grammar.
St Ambrose College from Hale Barns made some decent headway in the competition last season before being beaten by semi-finalists Barnard Castle and one of their better wins was a victory over Sandbach.
This week the pair meet again at St Ambrose, with the winner having home third round advantage against the winners of Bridgewater High and Cheadle Hulme.
With 10 Northern teams having first-round byes – among them St Peter’s, York, Bradford Grammar and QEGS, Wakefield – there is a handful of teams dipping a toe in the water for the first time this week, all of which adds to the interest as the Daily Mail Cup lays on another treat.
14.10.08
One of the joys of the Daily Mail U15 Cup competition is the unpredictability of the outcome of games in the earlier rounds.
There are no solid form guides when the youngsters embark on their bid to be two of the last men standing at Twickenham on April 1, 2009.
Many will be groups of players with exceptional records among their peers as they have made their way through the age groups to U15 level.
But only when they step out of the comfort zone of teams they have beaten on an annual basis is the real calibre of teams and individuals put to the test.
While a pecking order is established through the rounds as results provide concrete evidence of quality, initially there is a measure of uncertainty as young teams unaccustomed to the added pressure of a national knockout competition step onto a bigger stage.
At the more senior U18 level, there are clear pointers. Long-established levels of excellence, the previous season’s performances in the Daily Mail, current season successes, individual representative honours and the carry-over of players from the previous campaign.
But the U15 teams start with a comparatively clean slate, which adds to the excitement as previously unsung teams make headway.
The growing influence of club junior sections has undoubtedly impacted on the quality of play in schools and with schoolteachers continuing to add plenty of value once the boys come under their guidance, playing levels have probably never been higher.
Last season Stokesley Comprehensive School from North Yorkshire flew the flag for the ‘minnows’, putting out Yarm, Richmond, Barnard Castle, Ampleforth and Durham en route to round six, where their Twickenham team was finally ended by Manchester Grammar.
The fact that they were rubbing shoulders with the elite of the North East, however, underlines the magical quality of the Daily Mail Cup and after winning 40-5 at Bedale High School in round two, there will be no shortage of confidence when Queen Ethelburga’s are visitors in the next round.
While the emergence of ‘unknowwns’ adds spice to proceedings, there are still plenty of tried-and-tested schools who can be relied upon the make an impact year-on-year and most of those will be featuring in round three this week.
In some cases there will be local and inter-county rivalry to bring extra incentive, with Ullswater Community College’s visit to Trinity Carlisle and Cockermouth’s trip to Whitehaven School examples from the North West.
Calday Grange at home to St Ambrose, Arnold School entertaining Lancaster RGS, Merchant Taylor’s at Wirral Grammar and Wilmslow’s trip to Stockport are among the Lancashire/Cheshire pairings that whet the appetite, while the game at QEGS Wakefield, where Mount St Mary’s are visitors, pairs two schools with a strong pedigree.
It’s a programme to make the mouth of any schools rugby aficionado water and it will be interesting to see who are the dark horses to emerge from it.
9.10.08
England’s unluckiest school football team are getting the chance to design and win new home and away kits.
To win, the team will need to prove they are the unluckiest and most injury-hit team in England with entrants being judged on the number and severity of injuries.
The competition is being run by NHS Careers, as part of its Step into the NHS www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk campaign.
As well as kits for the whole squad, the winning team will be visited by healthcare professionals from the NHS and will get tips on staying fit and off the treatment table.
Regional winners who will be visited by NHS staff, such as physios, nutritionists and sport physiologists, while the national champions will win the kits.
The competition is open to students and teachers to enter a team.
9.10.08
Schools from Bristol are embracing the Daily Mail Cup competitions this month with several of the region’s schools making their way into the second and third rounds of both the U18 and U15 Cups.
In the Daily Mail U18 Cup, Backwell School put on a confident display in round one against Wellsway School to book their place in the second round where they will take on Churchill Community College.
Head of PE Paul Stephens said: “This is the school’s first ever year in the Daily Mail Cup competitions and the boys in both the U15s and U18s Cups are really enjoying the experience.
“Unfortunately the U15s lost their second round game but the U18s hope to make up for that at the same hurdle.
“We are going into the game confident. This is a strong year group and nearly all our players’ play club rugby, even some alongside me at my club Nailsea & Backwell.
“The forwards put on a good performance against Wellsway and, although our backs were a bit rusty, we controlled the game and really should have put more points on the board.”
In the next round, Backwell School take on Churchill Community College on Wednesday October 15 and they too are a local school.
Stephens, who has enjoyed Daily Mail Cup success previously with Beaufort School and The Grange, added: “The games against Churchill are always really close so you never know which way they’ll go but my boys are feeling confident and I would like to think we can get to the next round and maybe take on Colston’s Collegiate.”
In the U15 Cup, Bristol’s Clifton College are also taking on local rivals in Bristol Grammar School.
Clifton booked their place in round three after a dominating 40-7 victory over Wycliffe College. They received a bye into round two.
Director of Sport Paul Askew said: “I was really pleased with our first outing in the Daily Mail U15s Cup. The lads played really well, especially our backs who were very elusive and out manoeuvred Wycliffe. We also have a very good fly-half this season in Lloyd James, who I think will be a key figure this term.”
Clifton head into round three on the back of an unbeaten run this season, which includes wins over Dean Close, Cheltenham College, King’s Taunton and Sherborne School.
Askew added: “As for aspirations this season, I would say that we are feeling confident of having a good run, but this is a cup competition and one bad game can see you out, so who knows.”
8.10.08.
British & Irish Lions legend and HSBC Lions ambassador Jason Robinson today launched the world’s largest rugby union grass roots initiative in the form of the HSBC Rugby Festivals.
The festivals, supported by HSBC, will be the first time that a grass roots campaign spans all four home unions, as well as South Africa.
The programme will reach more than 60,000 schoolchildren and 3,000 teachers and coaches across 300 youth festivals in the UK and Ireland and form strong cultural links with schools in South Africa.
In another first, 40 of the schools within the Rugby Festivals programme will be selected to participate in the SOS Kit Aid Programme, affiliated to the International Rugby Board (IRB).
These schools will act as regional hubs for other schools in their area, collecting rugby kit which will then be flown to emerging rugby schools in South Africa ahead of next year’s Lions Tour.
As part of HSBC’s programme, the chosen UK and Ireland schools will be twinned with South African schools and a series of mini-rugby festivals will also take place ahead of Lions Test matches next summer.
Robinson, who today launched the Rugby Football Union (RFU) element of the programme at a festival at Broughton RFC in Manchester, will be fronting the initiative across the four home unions and South Africa.
A network of approximately 300 local community rugby coaches will help co-ordinate the scheme supported by other local Lions ambassadors.
In England, the HSBC Rugby Festivals will incorporate the existing RFU Emerging Schools programme that comprises more than 150 individual events.
Young players take part in U12, 13 and 14 categories at local, county and regional festivals before a national finals day staged at Staines RFC.
The top teams meet on the pitch at Twickenham, in front of a 40,000 crowd on the day of the annual Army v Navy match in May.
As part of the HSBC Rugby Festivals, HSBC will provide schools with kit as well as ongoing tips and coaching via a central grass roots area on the official Lions website – launching later in 2008 at www.lionsrugby.com
Giles Morgan, Group Head of sponsorship for HSBC Holdings plc, said: “The HSBC Rugby Festivals have two fundamental elements.
“First, they are about getting more kids involved in playing the sport and inspiring them through the involvement of the HSBC ambassadors.
“The support of the four governing bodies has been tremendous and we are all excited about introducing a programme that for the first time encompasses all four nations of the British & Irish Lions.
“The festivals have another important aim of bringing together people from different cultures and countries – something that is at the very heart of HSBC as the world’s local bank.
“By linking schools in the UK and Ireland with schools out in South Africa through SOS Kit Aid, we hope that the children involved will be able to experience even just a fraction of what makes the British & Irish Lions so special.”
Robinson, who won five Lions caps, added: “I know what it’s like to be a school child aiming for the highest level of sport and it is fantastic that HSBC is making such a strong commitment to youth rugby across five countries.
“It is a programme that will hopefully transform and touch the lives of many youngsters in this country, and I look forward to meeting many of those involved across the festivals over the next nine months.”
Andrew Scoular, the RFU’s Director of Community Rugby, said: “We’re delighted that HSBC is supporting the development of the game in this way and that the National Sports Foundation have matched their commitment.
“The HSBC Rugby Festivals programme incorporates the RFU’s Emerging Schools Festival which has grown over the last decade and last year involved more than 50,000 children whose schools previously played little or no competitive rugby.
“The Armed Forces play a key role in delivering this and staging a memorable finals day at Twickenham each year that provides a superb climax to the season for these young players.”
Further details of the HSBC Rugby Festivals will be available after the launch at www.lionsrugby.com
More information about the specific programmes in Wales, Ireland, Scotland and South Africa will be released in due course.
8.10.08
Gary Lineker, on behalf of the Football Foundation, and trustees of the Children With Special Needs Foundation, conducted the official opening of the new football pitch and presented The Abbey School with a new seven-seater vehicle and sports kit for football and rugby.
The Abbey School is a special needs secondary school for students with Learning Difficulties and Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
This new football pitch, the result of a £40,000 grant from the Football Foundation, the UK’s largest sports charity, and support from Surrey County Council, has enabled The Abbey School to drain and level their previously sloping pitch, remove the trees from the middle of the pitch and enlarge it to a 60m x 40m level grass football pitch.
The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country.
Funded by the Premier League, The Football Association and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation’s largest sports charity with a £40m budget going straight into the heart of football.
Since its launch in July 2000, the Foundation has funded nearly 6,000 worth over £715 million.
Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation said: “Football is our national game and the Football Foundation is investing money from the top of the game into the grass roots to help give everyone the opportunity to play it and stay healthy.
“These excellent new playing surfaces at The Abbey School are the latest example of how we are creating a level playing field across the country and opening up access to sports. It is fitting that one of this country’s finest ever strikers in Gary Lineker is declaring them open.
“I want to congratulate the Abbey School staff and Surrey County FA for making this happen.”
Jill Currie, PE Manager at The Abbey School, said: “The fantastic Football Foundation grant has enabled all of our enthusiastic special needs football players to be able to play on a high quality level grass football pitch of the correct size, through out the year.”
“We will also be able to host teams from other schools. We would also like to thank Surrey County Council for their generous contribution towards this partnership funding enterprise.”
7.10.08
The early rounds of the Daily Mail Schools Cup competitions are notable for ‘derby’ matches, and all over the country there are local bragging rights up for grabs.
Hampshire is just one example, where Portsmouth Grammar School are waiting to find out whether they will visit South Downs College in Waterlooville or St John’s College of Southsea in the second round of the Daily Mail Under 18 Cup.
The first round match at South Downs has been held over until Wednesday (October 8) due to St John’s being busy last week entertaining Australian opposition in the form of Sydney school Mater Maria.
“St John’s is a De la Salle school, Christian Brothers, and we are celebrating our centenary in 2008,” explained Brian Saunders, the head of sixth form.
“In the summer we took two rugby teams (U16s and U18s) and a netball team on tour to Hong Kong, Perth, Sydney and Cairns, returning via Singapore.
“We played rugby in thunderstorms in Perth, and 95 per cent humidity in Hong Kong, and we reciprocated with Mater Maria by having them over to us last week in a match we lost by 10 points.”
Saunders has been at St John’s 25 years and he is making a “gradual handover” of first XV rugby duties this season to Andy Tart, who is a hooker for Havant RFC in National Three South.
“We have taken part in the Daily Mail competitions since their inception and we have a reasonable team this season, so are hopeful of getting through,” Saunders said.
“If we do get to play Portsmouth Grammar it will be tough – we play each other every year and it’s the local derby.”
Portsmouth Grammar produced a scintillating first half of six excellent tries to get on top against Hampshire rivals Barton Peveril College in the first round in Eastleigh.
Fly half and captain Chris Lewis orchestrated a display of fast, precise handling at pace that showed 15-man rugby at its best, though Barton Peveril never gave up and were first to score after the interval in what was ultimately a 60-7 win for PGS.
Master in charge of rugby, Simon Baker, and director of sport, Chris Dossett, were delighted with the performance, while acknowledging that several good opportunities to score tries had gone begging.
Seven of the Norwich School team which reached the last 16 of last season’s Daily Mail U15 Cup have been promoted to the 1st XV squad.
Norwich launched their U18 Cup campaign with a 48-7 win over Wymondham High School, and in the second round they face their city rivals, Langley School.
6.10.08
Four schools have been booted out of the Daily Mail U15 and U18 competitions for playing over-age players.
Claires Court School, from Maidenhead in Berkshire, were one of three schools disqualified from the Daily Mail U15 Cup for playing an over-age player in their second round game against Dr Challoners Grammar School.
Trinity School, Croydon, have also been disqualified from the Daily Mail U18 Cup for playing an over-age player in their London & South East first round match against Wimbledon College.
Schools have been reminded to check the player-eligibility regulations for the competitions.
All of the cases were brought to the attention of the organising committee who forwarded them to the England Schools' Rugby Football Union referral group who are charged with making such decisions.
26.9.08
Manchester Grammar School and Brentwood begin the defence of the Rensburg Sheppards U15 and U13 ISFA Cups when the 2008/09 competitions kick-off this month.
A record 92 teams are entered into the competitions which are open to all schools who are members of the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA).
Chris Ray, senior investment director at Rensburg Sheppards, said: “Schools football has a vital part to play in the development of stars of the future.
“This is especially so at a time when the FA is expressing concern at the lack of core skills amongst young players.
“These cup competitions provide the best players with the opportunity to compete in a prestigious national tournament, where they may aspire to follow in the footsteps of arguably the most famous product of an ISFA member school - Frank Lampard.”
Schools from as far afield as Truro and Newcastle are entered into the competitions which are played on a knockout basis, leading to the finals next March.
Mark Dickson, ISFA chief executive added: “Last season’s tournaments were a tremendous success resulting in two hard fought and entertaining finals.
“It’s great to have the support from Rensburg Sheppards as this enables us to deliver a highly professional competition which I know the players appreciate.”
In last season’s finals, Manchester Grammar School beat Latymer Upper from London 3-2 after extra time to win the U15 Cup.
Brentwood lifted the U13 trophy following a 3-0 victory over The King’s School Chester.
25.9.08
A win on the 18th hole to halve his match by Norfolk’s Luke Johnson steered England to a 9½ - 8½ victory over Wales in their annual schools international at Cradoc Golf Club near Brecon.
However, despite Johnson’s efforts, overall it was the English girls who dominated the day, winning five of their six matches while the boys collected just 4½ out of 12.
Played in unrelenting drizzle, England led 4-2 after the foursomes, the girls winning both of their contests, Holly Clyburn (Lincolnshire) and Jamie-Leigh Voss (Leicestershire) beat Gemma Bradbury & Anna Carling 2 and 1 while Elizabeth Mallett (Warwickshire) and Rebecca Heeles (Norfolk) won 5 and 4 against Sophie Rees & Georgia Thomas.
In the singles, the England girls again showed good form and they came close to emerging unbeaten. But Rebecca Heeles suffered the only defeat, losing her match to the Welsh captain Anna Carling on the 18th green.
England’s Elizabeth Mallett won her match 4 and 3 against Georgina Thomas despite damaging her back when she slipped on leaving the 12th tee.
Of the England boys, Luke Bramall (Yorkshire) and Luke Krupa (Somerset) won their matches while Luke Johnson (Norfolk) secured a half against Matthew Moseley.
Results:Foursomes (England names first): Girls: H Clyburn & J-L Voss bt G Bradbury & A Carling 2&1; E Mallett & R Heeles bt S Rees & G Thomas 5&4. Boys: J Britain & L Bramall bt N Lofthouse & S Evans 3&2; A Mason & J Simpson lost to G Edwards & D Udry 1 hole; S Sullivan & P Stevenson bt G Owen & R Bentham 1 hole; L Johnson & L Krupa lost to M Moseley & C MacDougall 3&2
Singles: Girls: Clyburn bt Rees 7&6; Voss bt Bradbury 2&1; Mallett bt Thomas 4&3; Heeles lost to Carling 1hole. Boys: Brittain lost to Udry 2&1; Bramall bt Bentham 3&2; Mason lost to Owen 1 hole; Simpson lost to Edwards 3&1; Sullivan lost to Evans 1 hole; Stevenson lost to MacDougall 1 hole; Johnson halved with Moseley; Krupa bt Lofthouse 1 hole
England completed the double over Scotland in the annual schools international at Royal Lytham and St Anne’s.
The girls cantered to a 7-2 victory but the English boys had to battle hard to gain a narrow 9½ - 8½ success.
The boys result might have been different as the Scots were handicapped by the loss of Chris Corbett, who injured his back during the practice round and had to pull out after five holes of the foursomes. He also missed his singles which was declared a half.
The boys’ foursomes were shared 3-3 but England looked to be taking a firm grip of the singles when Gianluca Romano from Staffordshire cruised to a 6 and 5 win over Matthew Reid, Spencer Wells from Essex beat Thomas Sharkey 5 and 4 and Jerome Titlow from Kent won the 16th and 17th to edge past Chris Robb 2 and 1.
But the Scots offered stern resistance with Adam Denton getting past Shropshire’s Jamie Brittain 4 and 3, while Paul Shields beat Norfolk’s Luke Johnson 3 and 2.
Although Josh Evans from Cheshire comfortably beat Chris Bremner 7 and 6 after winning four of the opening five holes, Oliver Huish, son of Scottish pro David Huish, kept his side in the hunt by edging out Wiltshire county champion Ben Stow.
Tommy King from Middlesex added to England’s cause with a 6 and 5 victory over Mark Kelly but there were further Scottish success for Angus Tester, 2 and 1 over Tom Brown, son of former touring professional and now TV pundit Ken Brown, Tester winning the 16th and 17th with pars for his victory.
That left England still requiring one win from the remaining two matches for victory. It was supplied by Somerset county champion Matt Kippen 3 and 2 over Ian Redford to see England over the line, while Sam Strachan kept the scoreline close by winning the final match 2 and 1 over Bedfordshire’s Robert Sutton.
The girls match was more one-sided after England edged the foursomes 2-1. With Holly Clyburn and Jamie Leigh Voss winning the top two matches, it left the Scots with a mountain to climb, only Sammy Vass managing a win, beating Heidi Baek on the final green after the Suffolk champion had won the 16th and 17th to get back to all square.
However, Vass holed a 20-footer for birdie on the last while Baek couldn‘t follow her in.
Clyburn, 17, was never behind against Kelsey MacDonald but could never completely shake her off before winning 2 and 1 but Leicestershire’s Voss, days after her 15th birthday, had an eagle and two birdies in her 6 and 4 win over Jill Meldrum.
The other three matches all went to England thanks to Yorkshire‘s Sophie Godley, Katherine O‘Connor from Oxfordshire and Emilee Taylor from Lincolnshire.
Results:Boys: England 9½ Scotland 8½Foursomes (England names first): G Romano & J Titlow lost to M Kelly & C Robb 4&3; L Bramall & S Wells lost to O Huish & T Sharkey 2&1; J Britain & J Evans w/o S Strachan & C Corbett; L Johnson & B Stow bt I Redford & A Tester 5&4; T King & T Brown lost to P Shields & A Dunton 3&2; M Kippen & R Sutton bt M Reid & C Bremner 7&6
Singles: Titlow bt Robb 2&1; Romano bt Reid 6&5; Bramall halved with Corbett; Wells bt Sharkey 5&4; Brittain lost to Dunton 4&3; Evans bt Bremner 7&6; Johnson lost to Shields 3&2; Stow lost to Huish 2&1; Brown lost to Tester 2&1; King bt Kelly 6&5; Kippen bt Redford 3&2; Sutton lost to Strachan 2&1
Girls: England 7 Scotland 2
Foursomes (England names first): H Clyburn & J L Voss bt K MacDonald & S Vass 2 holes; H Baek & S Godley bt E Briggs & R McQueen 2&1; K O’Connor & E Taylor lost to L Atkins & J Meldrum 3&2
Singles: Clyburn bt MacDonald 2&1; Voss bt Meldrum 6&4; Baek lost to Vass 1 hole; Godley bt McQueen 3&2; O’Connor bt Briggs 5&4; Taylor bt Atkins 2&1
25.9.08
Having been at the sharp end of the Daily Mail Schools U18 Cup for a year or two, Barnard Castle coach Martin Pepper is looking ahead to a season where the pressure will not be quite so intense,
But no sooner has he spoken of a rebuilding process, he is extolling the virtues of a very tasty bunch of U15s who will be stepping up to the plate next week.
In recent times, ‘Barnie’ have had the likes of Calum Clark and Rory Clegg to provide the inspiration, with fellow England internationals Alex Gray and Tom Catterick to ensure that the thread of real quality continues into another campaign.
Any school with a record which has produced 20 international players in the past decade can never be written off, even in a season of rebuilding, and it will be interesting to see what new names from the current squad are written alongside the likes of Lee Dickson and Matthew Tait in the years to come.
That said, the Daily Mail U18 Cup is a very challenging environment, especially when the cream of English Schools rugby rises to the top in the later stages, and Pepper’s assertion that he does not expect his team to be still in the hunt after Christmas has a touch of pragmatism to it.
“I don’t think we’ll be featuring in the later stages of the Daily Mail this season,” he says: “We’ve started with three wins, which I suppose is good for what is a young team.
“We have five of the starting line-up in the semi-finals last season still involved, with prop Chris Bark and Alex Gray the only forwards still involved. Let’s say there’s no great pressure this season for the U18s and we’ll see how it unfolds.”
While Pepper is low-key about the chances of the senior squad, he is more enthusiastic about the U15 challenge.
“We’ve a very good U15s this year and in Daily Mail terms, their chances are more positive. They’ve won all their games so far, including a win over RGS Newcastle, which we felt would be a good marker as to how useful our lads were.
“We’re hopeful that they’ll have a good run and they definitely have some very good players, but just how good it’s hard to measure.
“We are picking from only 42 boys in the year group, so when you come up against team who have 140 to choose from, you’re on a sticky wicket to start with. But we’ll be giving it a go.”
24.9.08
The Youth Sport Trust has recruited Newcastle’s Young Ambassador and successful swimmer James Welford for a national road show to speak about his Beijing Olympic experiences.
The Youth Sport Trust is touring the country inspiring young people to get involved in the Young Ambassador scheme ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The registered charity wants to create a brighter future for young people through physical education and sporting opportunities, and the young ambassadors’ scheme is a key part of their mission.
James Welford is a talented swimmer with ambitions for 2012, and is a Young Ambassador within the Newcastle School Sports Partnership (NSSP), one of only four young people from across the country selected to join Team GB in Beijing.
He returned to Tyneside after an amazing ten days in the Chinese capital, where he met many of the Olympic champions.
James has already spoken at one Youth Sport Trust event in York, and is booked to attend another conference in Manchester on Tuesday 30th September.
He says: “At the opening ceremony at the Bird’s Nest stadium - where I sat within reach of my sporting hero, Michael Phelps - I was just one of 90,000 spectators, yet going to Beijing was such an awesome experience it has inspired me to be a full participant when the Games come to London in 2012.
“These Young Ambassador conferences are a perfect opportunity for me to tell other young people what it’s like to be part of Team GB at an Olympic Games, and encourage them to get involved themselves, ahead of 2012.”
Joyce Matthews, NSSP’s development manager, said: “I know that James’ experience in Beijing was a life-changing one. He is a brilliant young ambassador, not just for the NSSP but for Newcastle and the region.
“I’m sure young people attending the Youth Sport Trust conferences will benefit from hearing about his experiences and will be spurred on by his passion and enthusiasm.”
24.9.08
Daily Mail double cup champs Wellington College are back on the road to Twickenham in the U18 and U15s Cups.
The Berkshire school became the first school ever to win both tournaments last season, and they did it in style beating Millfield School 22-15 (U15) and St Benedict’s 7 – 3 (U18) at the home of English rugby.
Now Wellington must start all over again if they are to recreate the Twickenham magic they experienced last season.
In the U18 Cup, Wellington kicked off round one with a convincing 46-0 victory against Windsor Boys’ School and next they face either the Licensed Victualler’s School.
Master in Charge of Rugby Greg Woodrow said: “We have got about 50 percent of players in this squad that were involved in the U18 final a year ago and that should stand them in good stead.
“If comparisons were made between the two squads, I think we are stronger in strength and depth this year so we are hopeful that we can go all the way again this year.”
One player to watch this season is young scrum half Charlie Gordon, who featured in the U15 final last season. He is the only player to make the immediate step up to Under 18 rugby this season and according to Woodrow he is already impressing.
Woodrow added: “For a lad who is playing with guys, some two and half years older than him, he is doing well. Scrum-half is obviously a crucial position and we needed a player who could give our fly half good service, so he can set our backs loose.
“Charlie found his feet in our first game against Whitgift and stepped up another level against Dulwich, so I think he can do the job.”
For the U15s, they take on Reading Blue Coat School in the second round. Wellington were given a bye into round two.
And unlike their senior counterparts, the U15s are heading into this campaign an entirely new outfit.
Woodrow, who also coaches the U15s, said: “Bar one boy, this is a completely new side. Nevertheless, the boys are super excited about playing Daily Mail rugby.
“They were all at the final at Twickenham this spring and certainly were caught up in the excitement of the event, and now they know this is their turn.
“This will be a completely new experience for them though. They are not used to playing midweek rugby, so they will face new challenges, but this is a reasonably strong side and I’m looking forward to seeing how they go.”
23.9.08
The highly successful St Benedict’s, Ealing side of 2008 has broken up and a new-look team is about to begin their bid to go one better than last season’s losing final in the Daily Mail Schools U18 Rugby Union Cup.
This season’s captain, second row Tom Jewers, is one of three survivors from the team which developed together through the age groups and went through last year unbeaten in all 1st XV fixtures until the 7-3 defeat by Wellington College in the Daily Mail Cup final at Twickenham Stadium.
Stuart Pearham, the fly half, and back row Liam Dolan are the others to reappear in the St Benedict’s 1st XV, whose 2008-09 cup campaign kicks off tomorrow away to St Ignatius College in Enfield.
There is a new coaching line-up, too, with Jesse Coulson having moved on to Harrow School and the team are looked after now by Nick Guise, a New Zealander who worked in the academy at Auckland, and Richard Finch, who also plays for the Esher club.
“We had no complaints about losing the final to Wellington, they put in a magnificent defensive effort and deserved to win,” said Martin Knights, the St Benedict’s director of sport.
“This new XV struggled early on with a couple of tough fixtures against Dulwich College and St Peter’s, Gloucester, but they beat St George’s Harpenden 16-3 last weekend and with every match I can see them turning another corner.
“We believe schoolboy rugby should not be based on size alone and that you need to develop skills and thinking and speed. That is one thing which hasn’t changed.”
From last season’s schools “team of the year”, scrum half Michael Simpson is playing in New Zealand, Arthur Ellis has joined his brother Hugo full time at London Wasps and back row and school captain Rowan Halsall is with Ealing in National League Three South.
But James Booth, the full back who played for St Benedict’s at Twickenham in both the U15 and U18 finals, has returned on a gap year and is helping out with the U13 Bs.
Girls’ rugby is also rising up the agenda at the school which has recently gone co-educational.
Langley Park School for Boys – winners of the Daily Mail U15 Vase in 2006 and 2008 – made it through the first round of this season’s U15 Cup with a 48-14 win away to London Nautical to earn a second round tie with Haberdasher’s Aske's Knights.
If any school can testify to the magic of a Twickenham final it is Langley Park, from Beckenham in Kent, who won the U15 Vase at the home of England Rugby last April with a dramatic penalty goal in added time by their fly half, Ben Hollister.
22.9.08
Leading educational PE and sports equipment supplier Davies Sports has teamed up with the Youth Sport Trust (YST) to become the headline sponsor for this year's School and Sport Partnerships’ Conference 2008.
Now in its third year, the School and Sport Partnerships’ Conference is firmly established as one of the highlights of the school sports calendar and draws together the network of school sport’s partnerships, national governing bodies and local education authorities.
The two-day event, including an exhibition and conference, will take place at The International Centre in Telford on October 15 and 16 and is being opened by Sir Clive Woodward, Director of Elite Performance at the British Olympic Association.Entitled ‘Playing your Part in the Team’, the conference will recognise the work it takes to provide PE and sport for young people and will explore these roles through five central themes - Leading, Curriculum, Volunteering and Coaching, Competition and Infrastructure.
As part of these themes, Davies Sports will also be hosting three networking tables in conjunction with a number of high-profile partner organisations.
These networking sessions will examine current themes that partnership development manager’s (PDM’s) and school teachers are facing in their settings.
October 15 – 12-1.15pm - ‘Activate in the classroom’ with Neil Bangs of Val Sabin Publications. Val Sabin is an internationally respected training consultant and author of over twenty teaching manuals for PE teachers. Neil works closely with Val and will be explaining how an extra 75 minutes of quality physical activity each week can increase the physical fluency and automised banks of movement for children.
October15 - 2.15pm – 3.30pm – ‘Supporting primary school lunchtimes through revised Huff & Puff equipment packs’ with Tameside SSP. Lyndsey Whiteside from Tameside School Sports Partnership (SSP) will be discussing how Tameside SSP have re-developed the unique Huff & Puff scheme alongside Davies Sports. Six new kits have been developed which feature supporting resource cards showing how to utilise the new kits in an effective and safe manner. Huff & Puff gives children the opportunity to be creative and get fit, all whilst working towards the government guidelines of achieving five hours of activity a week.
October 16 – 11am - 12.15pm – ‘Tri-Golf skills award, Tri-Golf Activators manual and training’ with Brendon Pyle of The Golf Foundation. Tri-Golf is a widely established, fun and easy way to deliver a top golf programme to school children. Brendon Pyle will be discussing the new Tri-Golf Skills Awards, Activators manual and training. Tri-Golf equipment is the only adapted golf resource developed specifically for use in British schools and is the safest equipment available. In order to ensure this equipment is used safely and effectively, The Golf Foundation will explain how to introduce Tri-Golf to a large group of children in a fun and safe way plus explain how practitioners can maximize inclusion and progression of this activity.
Each networking session offer an opportunity to share ideas and discuss new initiatives and best practice amongst peers and professionals in the PE and sports arena.
Davies Sports also have a dedicated demonstration area and will sharing this with their partner organisations - The Golf Foundation, Val Sabin Publications and Training and Brazilian Soccer Schools.
Visitors will be able to test out the latest P.E. resources and speak to leading industry organisations about their own settings’ needs.
In particular, visitors will be able to preview the new Huff & Puff kits. This well renowned playground scheme has been re-vamped with six new kits and supporting resources written by Tameside School Sports Partnership.
The kits include Team Games, Parachute Games, Movement & Dance, Skipping, Target Games and Circuit Games.
Each pack contains 15 resource cards with games and tips on how to use the equipment within the packs. The kits are designed to be fun and easy to use and involve other children in the playground whilst helping children develop core skills that they can use in their PE lessons.
The second day of the conference will be addressed by Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and there will various mini-keynote speakers throughout both days including David Sparkes, CEO, British Swimming and Mike Diaper, School Sport and Club Links Project Director, Sport England.
John Clement, Davies Sports Senior Marketing Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be the headline sponsor at this year’s School and Sport Partnerships’ Conference. We’ve been working with the Youth Sport Trust for over fifteen years and really value the impact they have had in this sector; working alongside them on projects means Davies Sports can remain at the forefront of innovation in P.E. and sports equipment.”
21.9.08
St Clere’s School in Essex is celebrating the opening of a third generation floodlit football pitch.
The project was made possible thanks to a grant of £356,493 from the Football Foundation, the UK’s largest sports charity, and £200,000 from Cory Environmental Trust in Thurrock, a long term supporter of the school.
This funding enabled the school to construct an artificial floodlit football pitch, which is of full international size dividing into three seven-a-side pitches.
The pitch is a Third Generation synthetic surface designed to replicate the performance and playing characteristics of natural grass.
Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “I am delighted that St Clere’s new playing surface is now open for business. This is a big boost for the area will open up more opportunities for people around Thurrock to play a range of sports. Congratulations should go to the School, the Essex County FA and all of the local partners involved for making this happen.”
Grahame Thomas, chairman of the Cory Environmental Trust said: “On behalf of the Trust I want to offer our congratulations to the School and to thank all the staff and the design contractor, Munday & Cramer for their hard work bringing this new facility to the Borough.”
Jon Purkiss, head of key stage 3 physical education and community sports co-ordinator at St. Clere’s School, led the project.
He said: “This opening concludes two years of hard work by many individuals and the school is grateful for this. St. Clere’s School can now provide a facility which will not only improve the quality of curriculum delivery for our pupils, but meet the needs of many local football clubs.
“Thurrock has few quality accessible amenities, but this facility will improve this situation for many. Sport provides great opportunities and I am confident St. Clere’s School can improve the lives of many in Thurrock.”
Headteacher Paul Griffiths added: “This success is fantastic news for all our students and the community we serve. Our community resources continue to grow and develop to improve the opportunities in sport for many.
“I would like to thank Cory Environmental Trust in Thurrock for the continued financial support and the Football Foundation for their support and funding for this excellent facility.”
20.9.08
Funding provided by Sport England has given schoolchildren in the north-east of England the opportunity to develop their skills in dance.
Year 10 and 11 pupils from Northfield School & Sports College in Billingham, along with several other local secondary schools, are running a ten week course of hip hop/street dance in conjunction with Stockton School Sports Partnership and Stockton Sports Development.
Community dance coach Lyndsey Davis along with several specialist dance teachers – including Deloris Martin, Danyelle Clarke and Michelle Robinson - are working to provide an exciting programme of dance routines and unique choreography that aims to encourage the children into after school dance classes.
The programme reflects the current trend for ‘Street Dance’ and ‘Break Dance’ and should be running a second term from January 2009.
The partnership will be looking to branch out into break dancing for boys, targeting male dance using an inspirational male dance coach.
Combining the physical and creative aspects of dance, the scheme hopes to move the children forward with their understanding and expertise of dance performance and choreography - ultimately directing them towards external club links and dance provisions within the North East region.
19.9.08
Shelley College will represent Yorkshire in next year’s Lords Taverners U15 Schools Trophy after winning the rain-delayed U14 county cup final this week.
Shelley College, from Huddersfield, beat Scarborough College by 35 runs in a low-scoring tie.
Although the early part of the competition was disrupted by weather, the 40-over final was eventually played at Scarborough College's cricket ground
After batting first on a difficult wicket, Shelley struggled to reach 128 with captain Jonny Hoyle top scoring with 30 and quickfire contributions from Tom Halton (22) and Dec McGivern (20).
Needing only three runs an over, Scarborough quickly discovered runs weren’t easy to come by against fast-bowling duo Josh Scott and Jimmy Burke.
With the asking-rate kept rising, Jordan Greaves took a stunning catch to dismiss Oliver West and Shelley began to believe they could win.
Then Brad Bond, unlucky not to be named man of the match, took 4-13 runs and Scarborough quickly collapsed, eventually being bowled out for 93.
This year, a record number of 121 schools throughout Yorkshire entered the competition.
To reach the final, Shelley College beat Holmfirth, Royds Hall, Heckmondwike Grammar, QEGS and Kingstone.
18.9.08
Redingensians RFC and Bulmershe School have teamed up to offer youngsters in the area a chance to try out rugby.
Bulmershe School and Redingensians RFC will join together on October 12 to deliver an outreach rugby event, believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
During the morning, the school will host the club’s mini rugby section, and children from local schools, aged 6-12, will be invited to come and try rugby.
“This is a perfect example of a club-school link in action, bringing sporting benefit to the local community” said Dan Whiteman, the Rugby Football Union’s rugby development officer for Berkshire.
“The Bulmershe School has fruitful partnerships with many sports, and this is typically innovative thinking from Redingensians.”
16.9.08
Students at Telford College of Arts and Technology are looking forward to meeting Anna Jackson, a Paralympics sportswoman tomorrow.
Anna will be visiting the college to inspire young people to think about teaching sport to disabled students.
Anna has been playing wheelchair basketball since 1997 at international level, representing team GB in a number of different countries and tournaments.
She represented the country in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics Games, and in 2003 qualified at the European Championships in Hamburg for the 2004 Athens Paralympics Games.
Injury has prevented Anna from competing in the Beijing Games this year, but she is looking forward to London 2012.
Anna will be using the Beijing Games as a platform to illustrate the benefits of teaching sports to young people with disabilities on her visit to Telford College.
She will be talking to sports studies students who are considering a career in teaching physical education to young people.
15.9.08
The Daily Mail Schools Rugby Union Cup continues to go from strength to strength as another record entry for this season’s competition underlines.
Entries for the U15 and U18 Cups have again set new standards, increasing from 1,068 last year to a massive 1,143 for 2008/09.
Once again the U15 section shows the greater increase, with 646 going to post, while 497 schools will take part in the senior event.
Places in the finals at Twickenham on April 1, 2009 are at stake, and while at this stage that dream is a distant prospect for most of the youngsters involved, there will be no fooling around once the competition gets underway and those ambitions are laid on the line.
For a significant tranche of the U15 entry, most making their debuts this season, the thrills and spills will begin this week, with round one ties due to be completed by Wednesday, September 17.
At this stage, the knockout element is only partially in place in that at U15 level, losers in the first three rounds of the Cup are eligible to take part in the U15 Vase, which also offers the incentive of a Twickenham outing on April 1 for the finalists, so there is a second bite at a very tasty cherry for teams who find themselves outplayed early on.
For many newcomers, there will be the first taste of the pressure of knockout competition as their campaigns unfold and once the entries for the two Vase events are established – first and second round losers in the U18 Cup qualify for another tilt at Twickenham – the highs and lows of competitive sport kick in. Personal character development is a key component.
While for many, a Twickenham outing will be a dream to aspire to, the ultimate motivation for a young rugby player, for others it will be a more tangible target.
Last season Wellington College became the first establishment ever to win both the U15 and U18 Cup competitions in the same year, a tremendous achievement that earned them a permanent place in the annals of the Daily Mail Cup.
It also exerts a measure of pressure given the great expectations invoked by that memorable ‘double’, something of which the boys representing Colston’s Collegiate School from Bristol will doubtless be aware.
The name of their school appears on the U18 Cup a record seven times, six of those successes coming in an unbeaten run from 1995 to 2000.
All of which adds up to another season packed with excitement and expectation - youthful exuberance that touches unknown heights and also bitter disappointments which equally forge character ahead of the next challenge.
It’s all part of the Daily Mail Schools Cup challenge – and as another increased entry confirms, the youngsters love it.
8.9.08
Oundle School were crowned Lords Taverners National Schools U15 cricket champions yesterday when they chased down 176-9 to defeat Portsmouth Grammar School by four wickets in the last over of an exciting 40-over final.
The match, at Arundel Castle Cricket Club, was reorganised after the previous final at Kibworth Cricket Club in Leicestershire was abandoned halfway through because of rain.
5.9.08
More than 40 teams of schools old boys took part in the Cronk-Cunis National U21 Rugby Festival – the country’s biggest one-day festival of 15-a-side rugby.
King’s College School, Wimbledon took top honours in the cup final against Tonbridge from Kent at the conclusion of nine hours of continuous action involving more than 800 players in 71 matches on the combined grounds of KCS Old Boys RFC, Old Blues RFC and King’s College School in Motspur Park, Surrey.
Brian Williams, President of the Rugby Football Union, presented five trophies – Cup, Plate, Bowl, Vase and Shield – and paid tribute to an annual event supported by the RFU as a valuable boost to the Play On campaign to keep players aged 16 to 24 engaged with the game.
“This National Festival represents the best of what rugby is all about and I wish it every success in the future,” Williams said, having observed the great strides made by the Cronk-Cunis Festival and its participating teams in giving school-leavers the opportunity to carry on playing rugby.
Now in its 12th year, the Festival attracted old boys’ U21 teams from all around England’s Home Counties, as well as Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Northants, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Warwickshire and Wiltshire.
The Scots and Welsh were represented, too, by Gordonstoun, Christ College Brecon and Rydal Penrhos School.
In the Cup Final the home side KCS Wimbledon were too fast and too powerful for Tonbridge who had endured a tough path through the competition including victory over St John’s College Leatherhead in a sudden-death drop goal ‘shoot out’.
For KCS, wing Gareth Stoppani – a prolific scorer for his school’s 1st XI last season – was unstoppable in the final scoring a hat trick of tries as King’s won by 31-0, and it was a tribute to captain Tom Dugarin’s side’s skill and organisation that they did not concede a try all day.
“Our main mission is to keep lads playing rugby after they have left school,” said Tim Cunis, joint-organiser of the Festival.
“The catchment age ranges from U19s – many of whom have just left school in July – up to U21s.
“We were awarded ‘national’ status by the RFU in 2006, I’m pleased to say the President has attended for the past three years and planning has started already for 2009.”
The RFU’s support for the Festival included the supply of match balls, polo shirts for the referees and organisers and t-shirts for the players.
The RFU’s Surrey rugby development officer Jo Martin and Middlesex RDO Ronnie Barry were on hand with five community rugby coaches, helping the smooth running of the event and combining with the RFU’s mobile promotions unit to spread the Play On message and put players and coaches in touch with their local O2 Pathfinders.
1.9.08
Prime Minister Gordon Brown today commended the increasing number of entries to the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Rugby Union Cup – and the return of rugby to his former school.
Entries for the 2008/2009 competition have set another new record with 35 more teams entering Scottish Rugby’s flagship schools competition than ever before.
The tournament has broken entry records for the past three consecutive years with the total number of competing teams soaring from 184 in 2006/2007 to 244 in 2008/2009 – a massive 33% increase.
The Prime Minister said: “It is fantastic news that more teams than ever before have signed up to the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup this year, giving more young people the opportunity to get involved in rugby.
“I was especially pleased to see the return of rugby to my old school, Kirkcaldy High School and the launch of this year’s tournament at the school today.
“What I remember most about my school days at Kirkcaldy is the sport - running, rugby, football, tennis. And I had the good fortune of playing rugby for what became a great rugby team when I was just fifteen.
“I will never forget the first try I scored for the school first fifteen. I can still remember kicking that ball ahead in terrible weather and scoring the try that won the match. You never forget those moments.
“The lessons I learned then about training hard and being part of a team have been good for me through the rest of my life.
“I am delighted that more young people will have the chance to participate in this great sport.”
Scottish Rugby aims to increase the number and amount of rugby played in state secondary schools and efforts to introduce it to the comprehensive curriculum are showing signs of success as 16 state schools are among the new entrants set to compete in the tournament for the first time.
Colin Thomson, head of community rugby, said: “What we’re beginning to see is the results of Scottish Rugby’s revised structure – team work in all corners of the country to create links between schools and clubs to maximise the opportunities to play rugby.
“The Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools’ Cup is providing the opportunity for more children to have more opportunities to play more often and that has to be the recipe for the competition to continue to grow and generate more players for the club game in Scotland.
“I also think we should acknowledge the significant role the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup is playing in developing players with potential. Alongside the John Lewis National Youth Cup and our Player Pathway programme we’re making strides in accelerating the progress of those players and their readiness for top level competition.”
“Seeing players such as Chris Fusaro, who won the Schools Cup with Bell Baxter High School in 2007, go on to represent Scotland 7s, shows that the competition is an important platform for identifying and nurturing young rugby talent. We hope that the tournaments continue to break records and provide even more enjoyment for the players.”
Scotland 7s player of the year, Chris Fusaro, paid tribute to the flourishing competition. He said: : “I was determined to help my school to victory in the 2007 final and the intensity that surrounds the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup encouraged me to work harder on my game and think seriously about making rugby my career.
“Who knows, if youngsters involved in this season’s competition apply themselves then they could make strides towards the national 7s squad, pro team level or within a couple years play for the Scotland team like John Barclay did just three years after lifting the trophy.”
Marc Wilkinson, senior divisional director at investment managers Bell Lawrie, added: “With another record year for entries we are pleased to see the Bell Lawrie Scottish Schools Cup continue to thrive.
“Eight years ago when our sponsorship began, 56 teams took part and to see that figure increase year on year, with 244 teams entering this season, is very encouraging for the future of Scottish rugby. The competition reaches all corners of Scotland which is great for us as a company as all of our seven offices are able to take in games in their local area.”
Once again, this season’s finals of both the U15 and U18 tournaments will be held on the international pitch at Murrayfield on Wednesday18 March 2009.
31.8.08
Double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington was the star attraction at the UK School Games in Bath and Bristol as nine sports enjoyed four days in the spotlight (for a three-page special on the Games check out issue 21 of School Sport Magazine – out on Sep 15)
30.8.08
Castleford High School picked up four titles after getting six teams through to the eight end-of-season national Carnegie Champion Schools rugby league finals (for a double page special on the finals check out issue 21 of School Sport Magazine – out on Sep 15)
29.8.08
Sport England today announced a £36 million investment in ‘Sport Unlimited’ - a nationwide initiative to get more children and young people taking part in sports that interest them - most outside of school.
The three-year programme will enable 900,000 more 11-19 year olds to choose from a vast range of sports including several in which Team GB has excelled at the 2008 Olympics such as sailing and cycling as well as less traditional sports like dodgeball, snowboarding and American football.
Sport Unlimited offers young people 10-week taster sessions in sports which they have requested and aims to get 300,000 participants to join clubs and continue with sport when the 10 weeks are up.
The programme, run by Sport England in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and County Sports Partnerships across England, has already been successfully trailblazed in 12 areas and will now be fully rolled out across the country, resulting in 4,000 new sporting projects being set up.
Sport Unlimited will make a significant contribution to the Government’s target of giving children and young people the opportunity to do 5 hours of PE and sport a week at school and in the community.
The funding is part of the additional £100 million investment in sport for young people announced by the Prime Minister in 2007.
Jennie Price, Sport England Chief Executive, said: “Today’s announcement demonstrates our determination to do everything we can to get more young people regularly taking part in sport.
“I particularly welcome the extent to which the sports on offer through this initiative will be driven and determined by young people themselves. Having their input will help sustain their enthusiasm and commitment to the programme.”
Projects from the 12 trailblazer areas across the country have already shown strong results. ‘Sail of the Century’* in South London -- which encouraged 120 young people to get involved in kayaking and sailing -- led to local clubs running specific competitions and regattas for the young people and providing them with opportunities to gain qualifications in the sport.
In the east of England, Active Norfolk directly surveyed 25,000 young people to find out exactly what sports they really wanted to take part in. 44 projects were then delivered including ‘Skiing after school’ – a chance for young people from rural South Norfolk to try snowboarding and skiing at Norfolk Ski Club. 94% of the young people who took part in the project completed the course.
Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “The Youth Sport Trust welcomes this new initiative which plays an extremely important role in encouraging more young people in to sport and builds on the vital work that is already taking place in school and community sport to get youngsters more active and engaged in a range of sporting activities.”
Sport Unlimited will help Sport England to achieve its strategic goal of making a major contribution to the delivery of the five hour offer for children and young people.
25.8.08
An eagle-three on the 18th saw Rebecca Heeles snatch the English Schools U16 Championship from the grasp of Heidi Baek in a dramatic finish at Tankersley Park, near Sheffield.
Baek, the England international from Suffolk, was easing to the title with a two-shot lead when her approach to the 18th green finished in the trees and in an unplayable lie.
With Heeles just off the green in two, Baek returned to where she last played and hit her fourth shot just short of the putting surface.
A chip and putt gave her a double-bogey seven but Norfolk-based Heeles then pulled off a sensation by holing her chip from around 30 yards for a three to snatch the title by a stroke.
Heeles’ closing 73 gave her an aggregate of 140, while Baek also shot 73 for 142.
In the boys event, Will Chambers from Hertfordshire opened with 67 for a three-shot halfway lead which he almost protected for a winning 140, two strokes ahead of Sam Sullivan from Avon who took the runners-up spot on countback from Leicestershire’s Ashley Mason.
Although Chambers felt the pressure in round two, his 73 was good enough, while Jonathan McAllister’s 68 earned him fourth spot.
Leading final scores:
Boys: 140 W Chambers (St Georges, Hertfordshire) 67 73; 142 S Sullivan (Bedminster Down, Avon) 72 70; 142 A Mason (Guthlaxton Coll. Leicestershire) 70 72; 144 N Ray (Coleshill, Warwickshire) 73 71; 144 J McAllister (St Pius, Yorkshire) 76 68
Girls: 142 R Heeles (Thorpe House, Norfolk) 69 73; 143 H Baek (Kesgrave High, Suffolk) 70 73; 145 B Law (Cheadle Hume, Cheshire) 76 69; 146 E Mallett (Sutton Grammar, Warwickshire) 75 71; 146 B Davies (Thistley Hough High, Staffordshire) 75 71
31.7.08
The Rugby Football Union and the England and Wales Cricket Board have joined forces to host rugby and cricket schools this summer in Dorset & Wilts.
Designed for 8 to 13 year-olds who have a keen interest in sport, the summer schools will provide children with an invaluable sporting experience.
They will be run by highly qualified coaches offering children the opportunity to learn new skills and develop their existing abilities in a safe environment which promotes enjoyment. Children have the option to play cricket or rugby, or both.
The Summer Schools will run over three days every week at different venues from 9.30am to 4pm and cost £20 a day or £50 for all three days.
The dates and venues for the summer schools in Dorset and Wiltshire are as follows: 5-7 August - Trowbridge Cricket Club; 11-13 August - Weymouth Rugby Club; 18-20 August - Devizes Cricket Club; 25-27 August - The Dorset Cricket Centre, Christchurch
For more information please contact the Dorset Cricket Centre on 01202 470852
18.7.08
This year’s Carnegie Champion Schools Rugby League competition is gearing up for an exciting climax next month.
Hundreds of teams have battled it out over a series of district, county and regional matches to reach this year’s finals
Record numbers have taken part this year with 429 schools, 1,318 boys’ teams and 185 girls teams – making it the largest rugby league knockout tournament in the world.
Relaunched in 2002 by the RFL in partnership with English Schools Rugby League, the tournament has enjoyed year on year growth ever since and attracted schools from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as England.
This year’s U12 boys’ final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday August 30 between Standish (Wigan) v Pickering (Hull) (KO 1.15pm - 25 min each way, 5 min half-time).
The other finals will take place on Friday August 29 and will feature the following teams:
Carnegie Champions Schools Final (Girls) Year 7
Castleford High v Holy Cross (Chorley)
KO: 11.15am - 20 min each way, 5 min half-time
Carnegie Champions Schools Final (Girls) Year 8
Castleford High v Lowton (Wigan)
KO: 12.15pm - 20 min each way, 5 min half-time
Carnegie Champions Schools Final (Boys) Year 8
Castleford High v Freeston (Wakefield)
KO: 1.10pm - 25 min each way, 5 min half-time
Carnegie Champions Schools Final (Girls) Year 9
Castleford High v Halifax High
KO: 2.15pm - 20 min each way, 5 min half-time
Carnegie Champions Schools Final (Boys) Year 9
Wade Deacon (Halton) v Castleford High
KO: 3.10pm - 30 min each way, 5 min half-time
Carnegie Champions Schools Final (Girls) Year 10
Castleford High v St John Fisher (Wigan)
KO: 4.25pm - 20 min each way, 5 min half-time
Carnegie Champions Schools Final (Boys) Year 10
Airedale (Wakefield) v Great Sankey (Warrington)
KO: 5.20pm - 30 min each way, 5 min half-time
Finished for 7.00pm
The RFL’s national development manager Andy Harland said: “The Carnegie Champion Schools tournament is the product of a tremendous partnership between the RFL, the English Schools Rugby League and all the players, teachers, parents and volunteers involved with the schools themselves.
“Schools’ rugby league has been a tremendous growth area for the sport in recent times and the Carnegie Champion Schools has been a key means of introducing the sport to an ever increasing number of young people.
“The tournament has grown at a rapid rate and has provided thousands of young people with many opportunities to participate in Rugby League for the first time.
“It also provides young players with the chance to enjoy competing together and learning skills and generating memories that may well stay with them for the rest of their lives and rugby league careers.”
In the course of the last six years more than 1,915 schools, 6,780 teams and over 111,232 pupils have taken part.
In 2005, Welsh school Brynteg won the Year 7 Champion Schools final when it was played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
In 2007 a group of young players became the first teams to play at the new Wembley Stadium after its re-opening.
West Yorkshire schools Castleford High and Freeston High met in the Carnegie Champion Schools Year Seven final.
The match was played a curtain raiser to the Carnegie Challenge Cup final between St Helens and Catalans Dragons and action from the game was broadcast nationally by the BBC.
This incorporated a long tradition of schools curtain raisers before the Challenge Cup Final into a modern format and provides a tremendous opportunity for a group of youngsters to showcase their skills on a massive sporting stage.
The Carnegie Champion Schools tournament has also received a great deal of support and endorsement from many high profile international players.
Former Great Britain captains Andy Farrell and Phil Clarke have been among the famous faces to present some of the winning schools with their trophies on finals day and last season Australian skipper Darren Lockyer took time out from a holiday in the UK to attend the event and was highly impressed by what he saw.
The naming of the player of the match medals after current or former stars of the mens’ and womens’ game has also formed a strong connection between elite players and the players in the schools tournament.
Famous faces such as Denis Betts, Chev Walker and Lisa McIntosh have all been present to hand over the awards named in their honour to promising young performers.
17.7.08
Reeds School, from Surrey, won the National Schools Glanvill Boys Tennis Cup while Cheam High School picked up the girls Aberdare Cup (for full reports see the September edition of School Sport Magazine)
16.7.08
Paralympian gold-medallist Dervis Konuralp is joining forces with Sense, the national deafblind charity, on Thursday 24th July to highlight the lack of sports accessibility for deafblind children in the UK.
The charity is organising its own sports day in the 2012 Olympic borough of Enfield in North London to demonstrate how easily deafblind children can be involved in sporting activities given the right assistance.
Lucy Drescher, campaigns officer at Sense said: “We were forced to host our own sports day to highlight the lack of support from local authorities to include deafblind children in regular sports activities that other children take for granted. Too many deafblind children are not given any support outside of school by councils and miss out.”
Dervis Konuralp, the visually impaired GB swimmer bound for Beijing next month is organising a swimming coaching session.
She said “I am saddened that so many deafblind children do not get a chance to take part in sports because they are not given the support they are entitled to.
“I’m living proof that if you are given the right support you can reach the highest levels of sport. These are the kids we should be encouraging and supporting now for the London Paralympics in 2012 and beyond.”
15.7.08
Brentwood School beat Manchester Grammar to claim the David English U13 Bunbury Cup in a had-hitting final at Oundle School (for full reports see the September edition of School Sport Magazine)
8.7.08
Bad weather prevented an exciting conclusion to the national final of the Lords Taverners U15 Schools Cup at Kibworth Cricket Club yesterday between Oundle School and Portsmouth Grammar School.
After winning the toss and batting first, Oundle School, from Peterborough, recovered from 65-3 to post a challenging target of 175-9 in 40 overs.
In between stops for showers, Guy Hodgkinson hit an important half century while Cameron Prentice (3-30) and Rob Tusler (3-28) took the honours with the ball.
In reply, Oundle, last year’s runners-up, took a wicket in the first over but first-time finalists Portsmouth recovered to 50-2 off ten overs before torrential rain put paid to any chances of finishing the match.
The final will now be replayed on Monday September 8 at Arundel Cricket Club in West Sussex.
7.7.08
Two state primary schools will join six independent schools at the ESCA/Bunbury U11 hardball cricket finals at Oundle School, Peterborough, on Thursday July 10.
Salesbury Primary School, from Lancashire, and Jesse Gray Primary, from Nottingham, will compete against Eagle House School, from Berkshire, Millfield Prep School, Parkside School, from Surrey, RGS Grange School, Worcester, The Abbey School and Queen Elizabeth Grammar Junior School.
All eight teams won regional championships during the summer from an initial entry of more than 500 schools from 31 counties.
2.7.08
A magnificent cricket season for Repton School came to a fitting end with victory in the National Independent Schools Twenty/20 cricket championship.
Repton carried off the title thanks to their victory over the holders Dulwich College at J.P. Getty’s Wormsley ground in Buckinghamshire.
After winning their group. Repton had beaten Rugby, Shrewsbury and King’s College, Taunton to reach the big day, producing some brilliant cricket along the way.
After Dulwich won the toss and chose to field, there was an early setback when Hamza Siddique, whose runs had been a major part in Repton’s progress to the final, was bowled in the first over by the pacy Betts.
Captain Tom Poynton and the hard-hitting Charles Sindrey took the score to 80 after 10 overs without further loss before the introduction of medium pacer, Paton, changed the game significantly and Repton plunged to 94-5 after 14 overs.
Some tremendous hitting by Richard Lawrence (33no off 19 balls) and Tom Cosford then saw the score to an eventual 143-8 as the innings closed.
Like Repton, the holders lost an early wicket as Ranatunga chipped Luke Lacey to mid on and with left-arm spinner, Tom Eldred, producing a superb spell of 4-0-17-3 and Lacey 4-0-21-3 the Dulwich innings was soon in tatters at 39-6.
Matt Wood, the side’s most effective Twenty/20 bowler, contributed 3-19, Josh Moore grabbed a wicket and three catches and Tom Poynton delivered one of his trademark leg-side stumpings as Repton cantered to victory, dismissing Dulwich for just 87 in 13.3 overs.
Frank Watson, master in charge of cricket at Repton said: “This magnificent result was a fitting way to end a great season which has seen the boys win 18 matches and also to mark the last season for Mike Kettle, who has been groundsman/coach at Repton for 30 years.
“Tom Poynton has led the side superbly but every member of the 14-man squad has played a significant part in the campaign at some stage and this was, ultimately, a team effort. We are, of course, delighted.”
1.7.08
Jesse Gray Primary School, from Nottingham, will be flying the flag for the state sector the national finals of the ESCA U11 Hardball Cup for the second year running.
Jesse Gray reached the Midlands regional final by winning the Nottinghamshire Schools' U11 Tanvic County Cup with victories over Berridge Primary, St Teresa's RC Primary, West Bridgford Junior School and Worksop’s St Edmund Hillary Primary School.
There they beat Oxford champions Magdalen College Junior School by just seven runs before seeing off Buckinghamshire champions Chalfont St Peter School, Bucks by 52 runs
Rain then washed out the reminder of the day and judges ruled that Jesse Gray were crowned regional champions as the only unbeaten side on the day.
Jesse Gray now travel to Oundle School, Northants, next Thursday 10 July where they will tackle seven other regional U11 champions in the national final.
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