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News archive - July to December 2008 - March 2007 to June 2008 • 2009 • 2010

8.2.12

Shenfield High School are enjoyed an away day success in the ESFA U16 football championships.

The 2008 national champions reached the quarter finals with a 4-1 victory over Mossbourne Academy, from Hackney.

After going 1-0 down, Shenfield equalised in the 60th minute when captain George Pratt saw his penalty saved only to bundle in the rebound.

After Gavin Singh hit the bar, Pratt made it 2-1 with a 20 yard effort before Matthew Williams scored another spectacular long range goal.

Freeman capped a great team performance when he chested the ball down before smashing home the volley to make it 4-1 and send Shenfield into a last eight clash against St Birinus School, Oxfordshire, February 28 - their seventh consecutive away draw in the competition.

8.2.12

Leading figures from the world of education and sport are gathering in Telford today as the Youth Sport Trust’s 2012 national conference gets underway.

In what is an extremely exciting year for PE and school sport, the two-day conference allows school leaders the opportunity to share ideas and innovations on how sport can be used right across the curriculum to improve attainment and achievement.

Headteachers, directors of specialism, PE teachers and school sport practitioners, including those from Youth Sport Trust member and partner schools, will hear from high profile speakers over the two days who have a range of unique experiences and insights.

They include keynote addresses from Olympic gold medallist, Jason Gardener, Steve Munby, Chief Executive, National College for School Leadership, Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair of the Youth Sport Trust and memory extraordinaire David Thomas.

Alongside the headline speakers there is a packed programme of workshops, seminars and networking opportunities that allow schools to share ideas and innovations on how best to deliver PE and school sport.

Youth Sport Trust chief executive officer John Steele said: “Our 2012 conference aims to provide inspiration and support to those involved in the delivery of school sport and demonstrate how sport can be used right across the curriculum to improve the performance of young people.

“With the Olympic and Paralympic Games on home soil this year it is crucial that schools maximise the opportunity to motivate and inspire their pupils through PE and sport.

“If we can capitalise on this special moment in time we can put in place a platform that will lead to young people living healthier and more active lives.”

One of the conference highlights will be discussions around the success of the Change4life sports clubs initiative, funded by the Department of Health.

Designed to increase the number of school-based sports clubs the latest research shows the initiative has led more than 10,800 ‘non sporty’ young people now choosing to take up sport.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “We have invested £8.4 million into Change4Life School Sports Clubs and the evaluation shows this has led to a 166 per cent increase in non-sporty children choosing to play sport every week.

“In the next four years we will extend Change4Life School Sports Clubs and support School Games Organisers to take these benefits further and faster. This is great news and will help us achieve a real legacy for school sport and help make physical activity part of everyday life.”

7.2.12

Twin powered Dauntsey’s School are just one match away from a dream Twickenham appearance in this April’s RBS Daily Mail Schools Rugby Union Cup Finals having beaten Chelmsford visitors New Hall School, 18-12 in their home U15 Vase quarter-final.

The West Lavington, Wiltshire, based school will now play their semi-final at Broadstreet RFC on Sunday March 18 against the winners of the St Clement Dane’s/Chew Valley School clash that had to be postponed last week because of the cold weather.

Dauntsey’s, who boast three sets of twins in their line-up, led all the way in front of up to 400 of their fellow pupils and staff lining the touchlines and were 13-0 up early in the second-half before letting the visitors back in.

“We made hard work of it,” admitted coach Marcus Olsen. “But, overall it was a game we were never going to lose. My heart was in my mouth, however, with four or five minutes to play, although a runaway try from them would have been a travesty.”

Playing into the wind, a Max Romer-Lee penalty, in the opening 10 minutes, settled any early nerves and by half-time the home side led 8-0 following some great work from the forwards, well rounded off by skipper and No.8 Will Britton.

He and his brother Alex are one of the three sets of twins within the Dauntsey’s ranks that includes lock Andrew Duckworth and his propping twin Rowan while behind the pack the side also boasts twins Sam Tomlin, at scrum-half and Ed Tomlin at full-back.

Dauntsey’s stretched their lead to 13-0 early in the second-half when some neat work off the blind-side of a ruck was well finished off by Tom Parker although, once again, it went unconverted.

But, despite their overall control, Dauntsey’s defence let them down for an instance and the visitors were able to grab their opening try.

It was left to outstanding flanker and Dauntsey’s man-of-the-match Toby Small to retaliate almost immediately when he smashed through the cover defence to score close to the posts although, once again, the conversion was missed.

While the visitors again narrowed the gap, scoring from another Dauntsey’s mistake with ten minutes to go, the home side were able to hold on and book their passage into the U15 Vase semi-finals.

There was little joy elsewhere across the south west amongst the schools that managed to play their quarter-final matches despite the cold weather.

Abingdon School, Gloucester’s St. Thomas Rich’s School and Sheldon School, from Chippenham, all fell to visiting teams in their respective RBS Daily Mail U18 Schools Cup clashes.

AbingdonSchool were the unluckiest as, after a dramatic fight-back, they drew their U18 Cup tie 17-17 with London based visitors Dulwich College but went out on the away ruling.

Their visitors had previously knocked-out RBS Daily Mail U18 Schools Cup title holders Whitgift School and showed their class early on by rattling up a 14-0 lead.

Inspired by skipper Joe Hogan, Abingdon struck back with a Henry Sensecall penalty and, although trailing 17-3 by half-time to a further visitors penalty, the home side dug in and were the dominant side after the break.

Fine defence from their visitors kept Abingdon at bay before the breakthrough came when full back Peter Moore found a gap between two Dulwich defenders and sprinted over for Sensecall to convert.

The fly half was at it again soon afterwards magnificently converting a Hamish Grant try from the touchline to square the match at 17-17.

Dulwich, however, defended excellently over the final ten minutes, skilfully slowing the ball down at every opportunity to thwart any further score from the home side, and march into the semi-finals by the skin of their teeth.

There was heartbreak too for Sir Thomas Rich’s School who, having led 17-8, were beaten by their illustrious East Anglian visitors St. Joseph’s College, Ipswich, 18-17, with a last-gasp try that signalled full-time in their RBS Daily Mail U18 Schools Cup quarter-final match.

Scrum half Oli Young’s penalty eased the home side ahead and, from a charged down clearance kick, prop Chris Brook crashed over to put Rich’s 8-0 up early on.

While the visitors had pegged it back with a try from a driven line-out by half-time and a levelling penalty within minutes of the restart, the home side dominated the next 20 minute or so with Young kicking three penalties to pull out a 17-8 lead.

With seven minutes to go however St. Joe’s cut the deficit with a try and, for the remaining time, hammered the home defence before, finally, grabbing the winning touchdown into injury time.

But, there were few complaints from Chippenham based SheldonSchool who crashed out of the RBS Daily Mail U18 Schools Vase competition at the hands of Kent visitors Ravens Wood School, 22-3.

6.2.12

Leeds Grammar School marched into the semi finals of the Daily Mail RBS U15 Rugby Union Cup with an emphatic victory over an accomplished team from Whitgift.

The win has capped an unbeaten season and further confirmed the high calibre of a very talented group.

Leeds Grammar are now just one game away from an appearance in the final at Twickenham on April 4, where they will face the winners of the game between Trinity, another Croydon school, and Bedford Modern.

Key to success against Whitgift was a strong all round display in which a well-organised and robust defence never threatened to succumb and the extreme pace of full-back Tom Gorman, which earned him a hat trick of tries all from long range.

“The team has been outstanding all season,” said coach Owen Edwards, a former Wakefield player. “They were absolutely 100% on it today and I couldn’t fault anything they did. Whitgift were a very good side and they had parity up front, but our backs had a slight edge and that saw us through. They definitely brought out the best in us.

“We’ve had three or four performances up at that level, but given the circumstances of the game, that was probably our best display of the season and it was needed.”

In taking their Daily Mail RBS Cup points tally to 238 in six games – which have seen just two tries and 10 points conceded – Leeds are on the crest of a wave.

Of match-winner Tom Gorman, Edwards says: “Our full-back has some speed. He’s a good all-rounder who also does football and cross-country running in the winter and athletics in the summer.

“He hasn’t really chosen yet what he wants to apply his abilities, but he’s obviously got some talent for rugby. He’s just a good, all-round hard-working kid and we’re very glad to have him, although his contribution couldn’t happen without the work of the other 14, who all played a part in this victory.

“They’re a very bright bunch of lads who work very hard at their rugby and quickly understand what we’re trying to get across to them as coaches. It’s a pleasure working with them and they deserve all the success that comes their way.”

The only other Leeds points scorer in the success was hooker Sam Ward, who converted Gorman’s final try.

Elsewhere in the competition, adverse weather prevented the majority of matches being played, among them the tie between Leeds Grammar’s semi-final opponents Trinity, Croydon and Bedford Modern.

One result that will interest Lymm High School, from Cheshire, is the defeat of Sir Thomas Rich’s School by St Joseph’s, Ipswich in the U18 Cup, which leaves the Cheshire school as the only one with two teams still standing at the semi-final stage.

6.2.12

Settle Primary School’s extensive portfolio of rugby union activities has earned them a place at the top table of England’s most committed RU schools.

And that place among the elite will be cemented on the biggest stage of all on February 25 when the North Craven youngsters run out at Twickenham during the RBS 6 Nations Championship match against Wales.

The school’s whole-hearted commitment to the 15-a-side game has seen them forging strong links with North Ribblesdale RFC and a recent schools development award from the RFU recognised the quality of rugby coaching, provision and opportunities provided at the school.

“Settle Primary is exceptional in the way it delivers rugby to its pupils and the way it has established such strong links with North Ribblesdale,” says Hamish Pratt, RFU rugby development officer for West Yorkshire.

“The school is a fine example of how we want our schools to work within the community and how they should build bonds with local clubs that can take young people forward in the game as they move through the education system.

“The Settle squad will be one of three from Yorkshire – Wortley RFC and Richmondshire RFC are joining them - who will be playing at Twickenham in front of an 82,000 full-house against Wales and also forming a guard-of-honour for the teams as they take the field. It will be the experience of a lifetime and something I’m sure they’ll never forget.”

RFU schools development officer Hayley Mintern said: “Education continues to be a key focus for the RFU and the growth of the game and Settle Primary has shown a significant level of commitment to the development of rugby union for its pupils. They richly deserve their day in the spotlight at Twickenham.”

Headteacher Richard Wright added: “The North Craven area is a goldmine for young talented rugby players and Settle Primary School looks forward to continuing its partnership work with North Ribblesdale. It’s a great family club and we have some fantastic events lined up for the future to promote rugby to boys and girls in the area.”

3.2.12

Three pupils at Plymouth College have been selected to swim for their countries in London 2012.

Jade Howard, Jamila Lunkuse and Ruta Meilutyte, all members of the school’s elite swimming programme, will be heading for the Olympics after impressing at trials.

Hot on the heels of Ruta, 14, meeting the Olympic A qualifying time for the Lithuanian swimming team, Jamila, 15, will swim for Uganda.

Last year the talented swimmer brought home two gold and three silver medals for Uganda in the CANA Zone 3&4 swimming championships.

Competing in Botswana against eleven African nations, Jamila triumphed in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke, and came second in the 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle and 100m freestyle.

The year 10 pupil, who boards in the specialist swimming house at Plymouth College, previously represented her country in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the World Swimming Championships (25m) in Dubai.

Jade, 16, no stranger to international competition having competed for her nation at world level on several occasions, has been selected for the Zambian swimming team.

Jade is a day pupil who is currently studying for her AS Levels alongside her swimming training programme.

“I am absolutely delighted the pupils will be competing in London 2012,” said Plymouth College director of swimming Jon Rudd. “They put in many, many hours of training and make a lot of sacrifices. To compete for their country at the biggest sporting event in the world is the ultimate reward.

“We have yet more swimmers who have chances of selection to national teams, including Great Britain, and we have our fingers’ crossed that it’s good news for them too.

“But to already boast three Olympians six months before the Games even begin is extremely exciting for any school and Plymouth College and Plymouth Leander are rightly proud of them.”

(We are currently planning an Olympic special on pupils and teachers who will be competing in London 2012. If you have someone at school we would love to feature them. Just email us at info@schoolsportmag.co.uk)

2.2.12

Children from five Manchester primary schools were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with five times Olympic Swimmer Mark Foster to celebrate the launch of the Big Splash Aquasplash Festival.

Mark joined 80 children in the pool at the Manchester Aquatics Centre to take part in the UK’s first Big Splash Aquasplash Festival.

Developed by experts at the ASA, the Big Splash Aquasplash Festival is a national aquatic competition for primary schools.

Five times Olympic competitor Mark Foster, said: “With 2012 Olympic fever on the rise, the Big Splash Aquasplash Festival offers young people the opportunity to take part in competitive swimming.

“It’s a great way to give children a taste of what an Olympic experience is all about and who knows some of them could go on to be our Olympic stars of the future.”

Jon Glen, Head of Learn to Swim and Young People, said “The Big Splash Aquasplash Festival provides an aquatic competitive experience for primary aged school children.

“In the lead up to 2012 and the successful legacy years, this competition encourages young people to follow the Olympic and Paralympic values, such as working as a team, respecting others, promoting team play and being the best they can.”

Teacher Amanda Potter from Lancasterian School for special educational needs, in Manchester, said: “It’s not every day that the children have the opportunity to swim with an Olympic swimmer in an Olympic pool. It’s been a fantastic experience for everyone taking part and the children have absolutely loved taking part in the activities.”

Schools up and down the country have access to a range of online resources to enable swimming teachers to deliver eight fun and inclusive competitive activities, which cover skills across all aquatic disciplines and lifesaving.

As part of the Big Splash campaign to get the nation swimming, schools can record their Big Splash Aquasplash Festival scores into a national leader board at bigsplash.co.uk/aquasplash.

The winning school will have the chance to meet their Olympic and Paralympic heroes at the Kellogg’s Swimtastic Awards, the ASA’s celebration of swimming, taking place later this year.

For more information visit bigsplash.co.uk/aquasplash

1.2.12

Trent College school’s U14 netballers are gearing up for the biggest tournament of their lives after winning through to the national schools’ finals next month.

The Long Eaton school girls will travel to Basildon, Essex to take on the cream of England’s school netball talent on Saturday March 17 after claiming a hard-fought runners-up spot at the regional finals in Northampton.

The reigning Derbyshire county champions completed a 100 per cent clean sweep as they marched through the group stages and semi-final unbeaten in Northampton, including overcoming Loughborough High School with an 8-5 victory in the semis.

But they couldn’t quite make it 12 county and regional match wins in a row as they went down to Nottingham High School in the final, having earlier edged to victory over their fierce local rivals in the group stages.

Olivia Thornton, Trent College’s head of netball, said: “This is a brilliant achievement for the girls. They held their nerve in a few really close group games to go to the semis as group winners and then produced a superb performance to beat Loughborough in the semi-final. Despite not quite being able to get their hands on the regional championship trophy the girls will take a lot of heart from this tournament to fear no-one at the nationals.”

Coached by Trent College teacher Sue Taylor, the U14 girls will be training hard ahead of the nationals, with former England player Julie Malinski once again set to help the girls out with their preparations.

Trent College’s U19 and U16 teams narrowly missed out on following their U14 schoolmates into the regional semi-finals at Northampton after both finished third in their respective groups.

31.1.12

Benefactor Sir Thomas Rich himself would have applauded the class of 2012 as the Grammar school that bears his name powered into the last eight of this season’s RBS Daily Mail U18 Schools Rugby Union Cup.

The school took advantage of home turf with a 25-14 win over Bishop Wordsworth Grammar School at Oakleaze.

With the Sir Thomas Rich’s U15 side also reaching the same stage in their RBS Daily Mail U15 Vase competition, it’s a landmark year for the Longlevens, Gloucestershire, based school with both teams within two matches of a dream Twickenham appearance in the April 4 finals.

Delighted director of rugby Rhys Williams recalled: “We were 13-7 up at half-time but, playing against the wind and up the slope in the second half, I didn’t think it was enough to be honest.

“But we took our chances well, the forwards played well and it was a good performance overall.”

Scrum half Oliver Young’s penalty settled the early nerves before centre Oliver Booth broke down the Bishop Wordsworth defence for the opening try and an 8-0 lead.

Although the visitors responded to get within a point at 8-7, centre Charlie Scott’s touch down, in support of his winger, saw Sir Thomas Rich’s start the second-half leading 13-7.

A sniping run around the base of ruck had Young touching down try number three, that he also converted, and before the visitors could respond wing Evan James had dived on a loose ball over the visitors try line for a fourth and a 25-7 lead.

While Bishop Wordsworth once again hit back to cut the deficit to 25-14, Sir Thomas Rich’s were able to hold out until the final whistle.

They now have home advantage again against the tough East Anglian outfit St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, to be played during this week.

Regular Twickenham finalists Wellington College had to battle hard for their place in this season’s RBS Daily Mail Schools Cup U15 quarter-finals away to a fog-bound Kingswood School.

Their Bath based opponents fought them all the way and it was only in the final five minutes that Wellington grabbed the all-important try that put them through.

“It was very tight indeed,” admitted relieved Wellington coach Dan Rosier. “Our defence was very resolute and, eventually, our winger plucked the ball out the sky and he’s extremely quick.”

In fact, it was replacement wing Christian Green who intercepted a pass from the home full back to sprint over with five minutes to go and give fly half Will Wilson the angle to blast over the conversion.

Never-say-die Kingswood hit back immediately with three points, when the visitors conceded a penalty at the breakdown from the restart, but, as the game went into injury time, they just couldn’t find their way through the spirited Wellington defence

It’s earned Wellington a do-or-die quarter final match against their old enemies RGS High Wycombe on their own Duke’s Ride patch in Crowthorne, Berkshire.

“We played them away and won earlier on in the season,” says Rosier. “But RGS are a two term rugby playing school and we’re not which will make it harder for us to beat them.”

Early points and a magnificent defensive display after the break from Chippenham based Sheldon School saw them progress through to the quarter-finals of this season’s RBS Daily Mail U18 Vase competition beating hosts Wycliffe College 12-8.

Delighted coach Ian Beveridge said afterwards: “It was a tense second-half with great rugby from both sides. We certainly had to work hard as we were playing into a strong wind, but it was certainly the best we’ve played in the competition.”

In only their second home match of the campaign, they were ahead inside five minutes when outside centre Hugh Campbell touched down and fly half Harry Taylor converted.

And it got even better as they had stretched the lead to 12-0 after Will Waddington had taken a quick tapped penalty and, with some devastating open-field running, carved out the opening for No.8 Ed Suttle to dab down.

But Wycliffe had struck back by the interval to reduce the lead to 12-8 and it took a magnificent second half defensive display from the visitors to keep their hosts at bay and eventually make it through to the quarter-finals where they are at home to Kent’s Ravens Wood School, Bromley.

Chew Valley School’s U15 team put on their best performance of the season to book their place in the RBS Daily Mail U15 Vase with a 21-12 win away to Winchester based Perins School.

“I think I was worried that after a two-hour bus journey the boys would be lethargic,” admitted director of rugby Gareth Jones. “And, while they were the best team we’ve come across all season by quite a bit it was also our best performance so far.”

Left-wing Elliot Joiner gave the Bath based visitors the early breakthrough they wanted, neatly cutting inside the Perins full-back to finish off some great hands from his fellow backs.

Full-back Joe Carroll converted and added the additional points to the visitors second try of the half when prop Ryan Harding bundled his way over.

Leading 14-0 at the break there was a shock in store early in the second-half as the home side cut the deficit to 14-12 and were right back in the match.

But, a converted interception try, latching on to the home full backs off-load, from Chew’s inside centre Lukas Gentle sealed victory and set up a long quarter-final trip to St Clement Danes School, Chorleywood, Hertfordshire.

27.1.12

Another seven new schools have joined a total of 20 newcomers so far for the 2012 School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

And the good news is that it’s not too late to enter the popular competition, now in its third year.

But you will have to hurry with only eight spaces left to meet our one-term, restricted entry rules.

Among the latest schools to sign up are Shrewsbury School, Trent College, from Nottingham, Berkhamsted College, Hertfordshire, Bromsgrove School, London’s Stepney Green School, Gillingham School, from Dorset and Richmond School, from North Yorkshire.

Other debutants include Norwich School, Writhlington School, Bath, St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, King’s College, Taunton, Bishop’s Stortford High School, from Hertfordshire, and Ipswich School.

They will be joining returning schools that include last year’s winners Huddersfield New College, runners-up Filton College, Bristol and 2010 runners-up Myerscough College, Preston.

Other schools making their third successive appearance in the competition include Bedford School, Amman Valley School, from Carmarthenshire, Truro College, the Crypt School, from Gloucestershire, Moulton College, Northamptonshire, Shenfield High School, from Essex, Slough & Eton College, Wilmslow High School and Yorkshire’s Shelley College.

The great mix of state and independent schools gives all cricketers in the first year of sixth form the chance to play in the year between GCSE and A-levels.

It also provides a perfect continuation for teams who competed in the ESCA’s excellent David English U13 Bunbury Cup and Lords Taverners U15 Trophy.

Schools who wish to enter in 2012 can use the entry form on our U17 Cricket Cup page of the website or email info@schoolsportmag.co.uk

27.1.12

Old Swinford Hospital School have put paid to the last remaining former winners of the Daily Mail RBS U18 Rugby Union Cup to reach the quarter finals.

The Stourbridge school beat Warwick School, the 2007 champions 26-20 to set up a home quarter-final against Lymm HS from Cheshire on February 1.

It is the second successive season that Old Swinford have beaten Warwick in the last 16, meaning there will be no previous winners involved in the quarter-finals and providing one of the most open competitions in many years.

King’s School from Worcester have usually ended their season by now as they are a one-term rugby school but their success this year means that they are still playing.

Kings earned their place in the last eight by defeating Adam’s Grammar School from Shropshire 17-10 in a match played under floodlights at Droitwich RFC to set up a clash with Wilmslow High School.

In the U15 Cup, Bedford Modern School will travel to play either Trinity School from Croydon or St Benedict’s from Ealing in the quarter finals.

Bedford Modern were beaten by Bristol Grammar in the 1990/91 final. The current side, coached by former England prop Rob Hardwick, is attempting to emulate local rivals Bedford School, who won this competition six years ago.

Stowe School are the other Midlands quarter-finalists following a 19-13 win at St Albans School and will now host either RGS Newcastle or Lymm HS.

The U18 Vase is at a less advanced stage with the two Midlands quarter-finalists yet to be decided.

The Leys School host Oundle School in the seventh round on January 30 with King Edward’s Birmingham taking on Leicester GS the following day.

Robert Smyth School from Market Harborough, who count former England captain Martin Johnson as their most famous ex-pupil, are through to the last eight of the U15 Vase following a 15-11 win at Sharnbrook Upper School.

Robert Smyth now host Harrogate GS in the quarter-finals, with the match scheduled for February 1.

Sir Thomas Rich’s School from Gloucester are the other Midlands quarter-finalists and they will travel to St Ambrose College from Cheshire having beaten Akeley Wood School 36-0.

26.1.12

A series of teachers and volunteers have been recognised for their dedication to developing grass roots rugby union.

The 2012 Daily Mail RBS Real Rugby Heroes winners show a diverse mix of age, experience and background.

The ten winners include Craig Tyson, a part-time PE Technician at Ullswater Community College in Penrith, who voluntarily coaches rugby at Ullswater Community College on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.

At just 22, he brings a huge amount of enthusiasm both for coaching and refereeing and has been integral to the students understanding and enjoyment of the game.

Jenny Johnson is a teacher at Roundhay Technology & Language College in Leeds, who has been heavily involved in the development of girl’s rugby in schools for over three years.

She has supported the work of the RFU community rugby coaches (CRCs), creating valuable club links while encouraging other female PE teachers to undertake the level 1 coaching qualification.

Jenny has further embedded girl’s rugby within the schools by adding it to the curriculum and holding after school rugby sessions. As a result, the number of girls playing rugby has increased dramatically.

Tony Middleton, a teacher at Soar Valley College in Leicester, has gone above and beyond his duties to grow and develop rugby amongst the British Asian community at his school.
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He has been able to encourage many students to participate in the sport, despite any perceived social and cultural barriers, and has gone on to produce teams in all years.

Each year, Tony enters the rugby team into the inner city competition and arranges transport and continued support throughout the day, encouraging the pupils every step of the way.

Geography teacher Roger Cox put aside his own playing career to develop rugby in Bristol Grammar School.

As an active member of Bristol Schools Rugby, he is passionate about continuing the best traditions of the game and ensuring BGS pupils do the same.

During the past 40 years, Roger has given a huge amount of time, passion and commitment to the school and its rugby programmes.

Tim Hambrook, a member of the pastoral care staff at Mill Chase Community Technology College in Bordon, Hampshire, works with pupils who possess disruptive behaviour in school.

As a new approach, Tim has resurrected rugby as a tool to engage these pupils and channel their focus with positive social skills.

Delivering curriculum and after school activities, Tim has arrange numerous rugby fixtures at the school which have helped to develop attributes of team work, respect and commitment towards teachers and fellow pupils, both on and off the pitch.

Greg Hawkins, a club volunteer at Sale Grammar School, Cheshire, and chairman of local club Trafford Metrovick, not only provides after school rugby coaching to a variety of year groups, but he also encourages other coaches to come and help out wherever possible.

In addition, he has helped the school re-introduce Saturday morning fixtures where he is always the first to arrive, setting up for the game and arranging post-match food for the pupils.

Greg helps to sustain the amount of rugby played at the school and helps the pupils with their transition to the local club rugby.

Matt Windsor, from Deansfield Community School in Wolverhampton, helped introduce rugby into the school along with a local community rugby coach.

He has used rugby to help improve behaviour and reach out to some of the disaffected students, who were taken to Twickenham Stadium as a reward for their efforts.

Dave Horam, a police officer attached to Redruth School, starting the Child Victims of Crime (CVOC) programme in Cornwall, where he continues to lead and develop coaching sessions, local festivals and also annual county festivals.

Due to the participation of primary schools in the CVOC programme, applicant numbers for Redruth School have increased and show a high standard in ability.

Last, but not least, Orla Sweeney is a parent at St George's College, Weybridge, who is dedicated to washing the school rugby team’s kit every week and sending it back, pristine, ready to do battle with the playing fields once again.

Mark Saltmarsh, RFU head of education development, said: “Our army of volunteers are crucial to the sport and within schools there are numerous unsung heroes who are passionate about giving young people a fantastic rugby experience.

“The response to the call for nominations for this season’s Daily Mail RBS Real Rugby Heroes award has been phenomenal and shows how many people value school rugby volunteers and want to thank them.”

The ten worthy winners will receive a certificate presented at the Daily Mail RBS Schools Day on April 4, as well as two tickets to a 2012 RBS 6 Nations fixture at Twickenham.

25.1.12

Netballers from Trent College in Long Eaton, Nottingham, will be shooting for triple glory when three teams compete at the National Schools’ East Midlands Regional Finals in Northampton this Saturday January 28.

A squad of 30 Trent College girls will take on the cream of the East Midlands in the U19, U16 and U14 finals after booking their places in the regional showdowns with impressive showings in the Derbyshire county finals late last year.

All three teams have enjoyed some expert advice as part of their preparations with former England players Olivia Murphy and Julie Malinski offering top tips and providing fresh, exciting training sessions for the squads.

The girls have been working hard since qualifying, training three times a week since returning after Christmas.

Trent College’s U19s and U14s head to the regional finals as reigning Derbyshire champions while the U16s finished runners-up at the county championships.

Olivia Thornton, Trent College head of netball, said: “All three teams are in with a great shout of progressing through to the national finals.

“They have worked hard as teams and individuals and showed some real spirit and confidence in their respective county championships to make us believe they have got what it takes to perform at the next level.”

A total of 30 teams will compete at this weekend’s regional finals at Northampton High School, with the top two teams in each pool in each age-group progressing through to their respective semi-finals.

The winners of each semi will then go head-to-head for the regional crown and the right to contest the national finals, which take place in Basildon, Essex, on Saturday March 17.

25.1.12

It was a day for the front-row as RGS High Wycombe reached the quarter finals of the Daily Mail RBS U15 Rugby Union Cup.

The Buckinghamshire side made up for their U18s early exit in the senior competition by overcoming visitors Millfield School 13-8 in the last sixteen.

A try from prop Josh Avis put the home side in front while his skipper and front-row partner Ollie Butler added a second that along with fly half Conor McKillop’s penalty was enough to secure a quarter-final place against either Kingswood or old rivals Wellington College.

“We knew it would be a tough game and probably only one score between us,” admitted head of sport Simon Copeland. “In fact we dominated the first-half and they dominated the second, but we just about edged it.”

Last week’ s latest round of matches were badly affected by the weather with games in both the U18 and U15 Cup and Vase competitions postponed.

But Dauntsey’s School, led by England U16 lock Will Britton playing at No.8 for the school team, eased into the quarter-finals of the U15 Vase with a 39-0 win away to Tiverton High School.

“We were very pleased with our boys,” said coach Marcus Olsen. “It was a small, heavy, pitch and a big game for them with the whole school turning out to watch, but our boys matched them comfortably.”

The Dauntsey’s team is noticeable in the fact that they have three sets of twins in the side.
Will Britton plays alongside his brother Alex in the pack which also contains lock Andrew Duckworth and his propping twin Rowan while behind the forwards the side is well-served by twins Sam Tomlin, at scrum-half and Ed at full-back.

Abingdon School, who had already knocked out the mighty RGS High Wycombe in the previous round, continued their best ever RBS Daily Mail U18 Schools Cup run when they also put paid to visitors Truro School’s chances of Twickenham glory with a convincing 28-3 last 16 win over the Cornishmen.

The home side topped and tailed the scoring with lock Kristian Wood grabbing the opening, unconverted, try after 15 minutes.

Although Truro squeezed over a successful penalty it was to be their only score as a drop-goal from fly half Henry Sensecall and his conversion of centre Peter Allan’s try had Abingdon 15-3 ahead by the break.

Truro’s woes worsened early in the second-half when they had a man sent off and Sensecall kicked the resultant penalty while further unconverted tries from England A XV captain Tom Kynge and full back Peter Moore ensured their quarter-final place.

“We’ve never been this far in the competition before and anything now is a bonus,” said exuberant director of rugby Peter Allan.

“We’ll certainly come up against it in the quarter-finals against Dulwich. We go in as underdogs but we’re at home and we’ll give it a good go.”

24.1.12

Dulwich College are still on course for their first Daily Mail RBS Schools U18 Rugby Union Cup final after they defeated Hampton School 15-12 to reach the quarter finals.

It was the first defeat of the season for the 2009 Daily Mail RBS U18 Vase champions Hampton after 16 wins.

Five penalty goals by centre Tom Fraser took Dulwich – former home to internationals including Nick Easter, Andrew Sheridan and David Flatman – through to an away tie in the last eight against first-time quarter-finalists Abingdon School in Oxfordshire.

Dulwich, winners of the U15 Cup in 1995, had knocked out the holders Whitgift in the previous round.

Tries by Gabriel Carroll, Joe Tarrant and England U17 squad wing George Wacokecoke, and five points kicked by Cameron Robinson, gave St Joseph’s College a 20-18 win away to Skinners’ School in the Daily Mail RBS Schools U18 Cup.

It put the Ipswich school through to an away quarter final against the winners of Sir Thomas Rich’s and Bishop Wordsworth’s Grammar.

Wallington County Grammar School in Sutton in Surrey gave present and past pupils live updates from their Daily Mail RBS U18 Vase match against King Edward VI, Chelmsford via Twitter.

The scoreline was 22-3, taking Wallington through to an away quarter final though their opponents are yet to be decided.

St George’s Weybridge, finalists in last year’s Daily Mail RBS U18 Vase, were knocked out in the last 16 this time around, 8-6 at home to Ravens Wood School from Bromley in Kent.

A fierce start by the Ravens Wood pack led to the only try of the match by full back Stephen Pillow in the first minute, but St George’s replied with two penalty goals to lead 6-5 early in the second half.

It took a 40-metre penalty kick by fly half Tom Coombs in added time at the end to win the match for Ravens Wood, who are now away to Wycliffe College in Gloucestershire or Sheldon School in Wiltshire in the U18 Vase national quarter finals.

In the Daily Mail RBS Schools U15 Cup, Whitgift, the winners in 2003, squeezed past Skinners’ 8-5 to earn a long quarter-final trip to The Grammar School at Leeds.

Elsehwere, New Hall School from Chelmsford in Essex defeated St George’s Weybridge 14-0 to reach the quarter finals of the U15 Vase.

St Clement Danes from Chorleywood in Hertfordshire defeated Eltham College 14-12 to become the other London & South East representative in the U15 Vase last eight.

23.1.12

Bedford Modern School reached the quarter finals of the Daily Mail RBS U15 Cup with a hard-fought 12-7 victory over Bromsgrove School.

The win, which follows victories against Cheltenham College, Wellingborough School, Northampton School for Boys and Oakham School, sets up a last eight Midlands final with either St Albans School or Stowe School.

Rob Hardwick, director of rugby at Bedford Modern said: “The win against Bromsgrove School was a fantastic performance from the whole team led by Theo Cassell. The boys showed a great defensive effort with two fantastic tries by James Reaper and Daniel Bhatti.

“Much credit must go to the forwards, ably led by Theo, providing a huge defensive effort in abating pressure from the opposition. My thanks also go to Nigel Chinneck and Dan Richmond whose dedication and coaching has inspired the team this season.”

20.1.12

A Leicester schoolboy and a Lincolnshire teacher been awarded the titles of Sky Sports Living for Sport Student and Teacher of the Year.

Nick Wood, from the Lancaster School in Leicester, received the accolade after being named East Midlands Student of the Year in a series of UK wide regional semi-finals.

Darren Taxis, PE co-ordinator at The Phoenix School in Grantham, Lincolnshire, was crowned after attending an awards ceremony at Wembley Stadium.

The Sport Teacher of the Year Award, a new category for this year, is aimed at teachers who have gone the extra mile in helping their students take part in the sport.

Judges said Darren stood out as a shining example because his Sky Sports Living for Sport project clearly demonstrated how the initiative can help integrate pupils from all walks of life and boost pupils’ personal pride and confidence.

The Phoenix School caters for pupils with emotional, social and behavioural difficulties and Darren is constantly looking for new and exciting challenges for the pupils.

Although the aim of the projects is not specifically to boost academic achievement, many pupils involved in the projects have achieved Level 1 BTEC Certificate in Sports and Active Leisure and Level 2 BTEC Extended Certificate in Sport.

Over the course of the projects, Darren has organised a football programme for a group of students across key stages 3 and 4 and developed an archery programme and after school archery club.

Other projects run by Darren include street dance and badminton, both of which have been very successful.

Joining two other shortlisted finalists, Bob Foley of Newbattle Community High School and Martin Reay from Budehaven Community Schoool, Darren received his trophy from Sky Sports News presenter Kirsty Gallacher.

Kirsty said: “Darren is a truly worthy winner. His commitment to his students’ wellbeing and the creativity with which he approaches his lessons makes him a credit to The Phoenix School and an example to all PE teachers.”

As the Teacher of the Year, Darren wins £2000 towards his school’s next Sky Sports Living for Sport project, while joint runner ups Bob Foley and Martin Reay each win £750.

Nick Wood stood out as a clear winner in the student category. Previously disengaged with school and suffering low self-esteem, Nick rarely attended school and was in poor physical health.

But through his involvement in the scheme, Nick was motivated by athlete mentor boxer Dermot Gascoyne to help children at a local primary school and improve his grades.

Nick has continued to train outside of school as well as regularly returning to the school in his own time to assist with coaching other students.

As the UK’s overall winner, Nick will receive a 3DTV, a £100 sports voucher and his school will also secure an extra visit from an athlete mentor and £2000 towards their next Sky Sports Living for Sport projects.

The eleven regional winners were Ethan Ashby, from Llandarcy Community Centre in Wales, Nahida Begum, from Bedford Academy, Emma Cassell, from Manor Technology College, Charlotte Dale, from Macclesfield Academy, Eoghan Doherty, from St Mary’s Grammar School in Northern Ireland, Mark Ferguson, from Daldorch House School, Shaquille Jack, from Sir William Ramsay School, Abdul Jalil, from Blue River Academy, Zac Lavers, from the Castle School, Lindsay McGlone, from Balby Carr Community Sports and Science College, Yorkshire, and Yahya Muhieddine, from London’s Lampton School.

Sky Sports Living for Sport, delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, is a free secondary schools initiative that uses sport stars and sport skills to improve the lives of thousands of young people by boosting confidence, changing behaviours and increasing attainment.

19.1.12

South Yorkshire is set for its very own School Games featuring pupils from schools across the region.

Thousands of youngsters from hundreds of primary and secondary school across Sheffield, Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley will be competing at various age groups across a wide range of sports, including disability formats, with successful individuals going forward to national finals to be held in London’s Olympic facilities.

Two School Games festivals, both over two days, will be held in South Yorkshire for three years from 2012.

The Winter festival will be held at the world-class facilities of the English Institute of Sport Sheffield in Attercliffe, Sheffield on March 12-13. The Summer festival will be held on July 2-3 at the Abbeydale Sports complex in Sheffield.

Organisers estimate there will be 3,200 participants, 284 school teams, 200 young people involved in cultural elements, 100 volunteers and 1,200 spectators at each festival.

The winter festival will feature athletics, netball, gymnastics, basketball, cheerleading, boccia and new-age curling. The summer festival will feature tennis, cricket, rugby union, rounders, rowing and football.

Both festivals, which will have a strong cultural element showcasing a range of school-based activities such as dance, drama and music, will have opening and closing and medal ceremonies based on the Olympic and Paralymic ideals. They will be the culmination of intra school and inter-schools competitions.

The Sport England funded School Games are designed to motivate and inspire young people to take part in more competitive school sport that will form part of the Olympic Legacy for years to come.

Under the wing of South Yorkshire Sport, the county sports partnership, the event will young event ambassadors and volunteers profile the talents of other youngsters – young reporters will be on hand to raise the profile.

Helen Cund, Head of Operations South Yorkshire Sport, said: “The School Games will provide young competitors from across South Yorkshire with a unique ‘Olympic’ style experience.

“County Sports Partnerships are delighted to be supporting the new School Games, an exciting new Olympic/Paralympic style school sport competition. The Games aim to further revive the culture of competitive sport in schools.”

Nationally, Sport England is working with Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Education, the British Paralympic Association and the Youth Sport Trust to deliver the School Games.

Sport England will provide the Lottery funding in England and will work with national governing bodies of sport to make sure they are able to be part of the new competition.

Every school in England, and subject to the agreement of the Devolved Administrations schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, will be given the opportunity to get involved, potentially giving every school child the chance to take part.

The School Games will be open to all children. However, particular attention will be paid to widening participation through the new competitions across the groups who traditionally have under participated in sport – girls, youngsters with special needs or disabilities, those from deprived background or BME heritage.

To find out how your school can compete contact South Yorkshire Sport on 0114 223 5672 for more details

16.1.12

Abingdon School’s 1st XV produced one of their best performances of the season to beat a strong Truro School 28–3 to reach the last eight of the Daily Mail RBS U18 Rugby Union Schools’ Cup.

Abingdon face either Dulwich College or Hampton in the next round and are just two wins away from the final at Twickenham in April..

Captained by Joe Hogan, Abingdon led from the front, inspired by man of the match Tom Kynge, last year’s England U16 A XV captain.

Tom was a try scorer alongside Kristian Wood, Peter Allan and Peter Moore. Henry Sensecall kicked a penalty and a drop goal.

Peter Coke, director of Abingdon rugby, said: “It is a tremendous result. It’s the first time we have reached the quarter finals in the school’s history.”

16.1.12

Two year 11 pupils from the Lady Eleanor Holles School in Hampton have been selected to represent England at the 2012 International Federation for School Sport (ISF) World Skiing Championships.

Amelia Ruiz and Laetitia Hawkins-Hooker will be part of an England team of ten boys and ten girls in Gressoney, Italy this March.

13.1.12

Twelve sporting pupils and three sports teachers from schools across the UK are heading to London next week to attend an awards ceremony at Wembley Stadium.

Olympic sprint legend and Sky Sports Living for Sport Ambassador Darren Campbell will present the regional finalists with their awards before the UK Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year and Sports Teacher of the Year 2011 is announced next Thursday January 19.

The overall winners will be presented with their awards by Sky Sports News presenter Kirsty Gallacher.

Sky Sports Living for Sport, delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, is a free secondary schools initiative, which uses sport stars and sport skills to improve the lives of thousands of young people by boosting confidence, changing behaviours and increasing attainment.

The Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year Award has encouraged schools across the UK to nominate pupils whose involvement demonstrates how sport has supported them in developing skills such as confidence, respect and a sense of achievement.

Nominations rolled in from schools across the UK and in November the twelve regional finalists for the Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year Award 2011 were announced.

The winner of the UK award will receive a £100 sports voucher and their school will also secure an extra visit from an Athlete Mentor and £2000 towards their next Sky Sports Living for Sport projects.

The Teacher of the Year and the first and second runner ups will win £2000, £1000 and £500 respectively towards their school’s next project.

In addition, all three Teacher of the Year finalists will each receive a year’s free Sky Sports subscription, a trophy and certificate.

Darren Campbell said: “I know how influential sport can be on the development of young people. Going into schools, I’ve seen for myself how much of an impact Sky Sports Living for Sport is having.

“It’s incredible to watch how pupils’ attitudes can shift and how belief in themselves and their abilities can be transformed. This award demonstrates how teachers can equip their pupils with life skills that will help them succeed.”

10.1.12

Every secondary school in England is set to host a community sports club, as part of a new strategy to encourage young people to play sport for life, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced.

The move is a key part of a £1 billion, five-year youth and community sport strategy published today that will deliver on Lord Coe’s 2012 Games bid promise to inspire a generation to get involved in sport.

The strategy, to be delivered by Sport England, will see new school-based sports clubs established with links to one or more sports’ national governing bodies.

Expert coaches will run sessions to help create strong ties between schools and local sports clubs already in existence in their area.

Football has pledged that 2,000 of their clubs will be linked to secondary schools by 2017, rugby union 1,300 clubs, cricket, 1,250 clubs and rugby league and tennis 1,000 clubs each.

Also, for the first time, funding will be made available to open up school sport facilities for wider public use.

Three-quarters of sports halls and artificial pitches and a third of swimming pools in England are located on school sites and £10 million of funding will enable communities to make the most of these local sporting assets.

£100 million will be invested in creating the clubs and tackling the drop-off in sports participation that can happen when young people leave school.

Of this, £50 million will be invested to boost sport provision at further education colleges and universities.

The funding will also provide a full-time sports professional for at least 150 further education colleges, to drive forward innovative sports provision.

Around £450 million will go to sports governing bodies between 2013 and 2017 for their ‘whole sport plans.’

Around 60 per cent will benefit young people aged 14 – 25 so that sports are completely focussed on helping to drive a sporting habit for life. The remaining 40 per cent will be aimed at the rest of the population.

Funding to governing bodies will be on a payments-by-results basis with sports that fail to deliver putting their public funding at risk.

Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Jeremy Hunt said: “Despite huge investment of public funds since we won the right to host the Games, participation by young people in sport has been falling.

“We need a radical change in policy to address the deep-seated problem of people dropping out of sport when they leave school. Our bold approach will see money going to organisations that deliver on youth participation, but also withdrawn quickly from those which fail to meet agreed objectives.”

Sport England chief executive Jennie Price said: “Changing the sporting behaviour of a generation is a major challenge, which has not been achieved by any other Olympic host nation.

“With a new focus on young people and an even tougher, Government backed, regime of payment by results, Sport England and its partners are determined to deliver.”

Alex Horne, general secretary of the FA, said: “Football welcomes the Sport England strategy and the increased focus on youth participation.

“A priority will be taking 2,000 local football clubs into secondary schools across the country, offering expert coaching and creating the strong ties that will help young people make the move from school sport to community sport.”

Ian Drake, chief executive of British Cycling, said: “Looking ahead to the next funding cycle, we have ambitious plans to build further on the success we’ve achieved over the past few years, and to capitalise on the inspirational impact of London 2012 to increase participation.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Sport England on turning these plans into reality under the new strategy outlined today. We take our responsibilities seriously in terms of maximising the impact of the public money we receive.

“We fully appreciate the fact this funding is a privilege and not a right, and with that in mind it makes sense to tie-in continued funding to the achievement of agreed goals and objectives to help ensure the best return on investment across all sports.”

David Collier, chief executive of the ECB, said: “The ECB welcomes the new Sport England strategy and the reach down to 14 year olds.

“This very much mirrors crickets own strategy to get more young people playing at school and in clubs and keep them involved in the game throughout their lives.”

Paul Clark, chief executive of England Netball, said: “The success we’ve had in growing adult netball participation through our Back2Netball programme has clearly demonstrated that the participant-focused approach we take at England Netball is the right one.

“Our key challenge over the next four years will be to apply that approach and learning to drive increased participation in netball amongst young people aged between 14 and 25 years of age. This age group is critical to our ambition of encouraging and enabling engagement in Netball for Life.”

There is also an additional £160 million to improve the nation’s sports facility stock between 2012 and 2017, building on Sport England’s existing £90 million ‘Places, People, Play’ legacy facilities investment, while a new £40 million local sport fund will also be set up to help local authorities improve sport provision.

The Youth Sport strategy will build on the success of, and complement, the £150 million ‘School Games’ that is rejuvenating competitive sport for young people with over 11,000 schools signed up.

3.1.12

Bishop Wordworth’s Grammar School, Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Abingdon School and Truro School are now just three games away from gracing the hollowed turf of Twickenham Stadium after all four schools won their Daily Mail RBS U18 Cup sixth round encounters.

Salisbury’s Bishop Wordworth’s edged a thriller against former champions Colston’s Grammar School, winning 24-21 while Sir Thomas Rich's School were more dominant with a 26-5 victory over Bristol Grammar School.

Abingdon School inflicted a similar score-line on High Wycombe’s Royal Grammar School with a 24-7 victory whilst Truro School booked their place in round seven with a 29-7 win over King’s College, Taunton.

In the U15 Cup, the Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe triumphed by the narrowest of margins over their namesakes in Guildford with a 7-6 win but Kingswood School were more emphatic in their round six clash with a 26-0 victory over Priory Community School.

In the U18 Vase tournament Sheldon School, The Crypt School, Wycliffe College, Magdalen College School, Oxford, Reading Blue Coat School, Devonport High School for Boys and Richard Huish College are all through to the sixth round.

Chew Valley, Perins School, Dauntsey's School and Tiverton High School were all winners in the sixth round of the U15 Vase.

Hopes of a Twickenham ‘double-header’ are about to end for one of the two Northern schools still harbouring that lofty ambition in the two cup competitions.

Both Lymm High School and RGS Newcastle have two teams standing at the round seven stage of both the U15 and U18 Cup sections, but the draw has now paired them to meet at the next stage on January 18 and one of the schools, and possibly both, will now see their hopes of getting two teams to the showpiece dashed.

Statistics, of course, can be very misleading, but the comparative scoring patterns of all four teams in the two competitions are remarkably similar and support the view that the next tranche of games will provide some very competitive rugby.

At U18 Cup level, for example, both teams have scored 124 points en route to round 7, with Lymm conceding 40 and RGS 37.

In the U15 Cup, Lymm have a four-point edge in both scoring stats having collected 184 and conceded 46 by comparison with 180/50 by RGS.

Those who put the accent in knockout rugby on the importance of a solid defence will be expecting that Wilmslow High School will prove difficult for Woodhouse Grove to break down, even with home advantage.

The Cheshire team has conceded only one try so far to make them the most miserly of the teams still involved, although in the U15 section, Leeds Grammar have only two tries in their twelve points against column and with a mighty 233 scored, they are obviously well equipped in both departments and will surely provide a stern test for visitors St Peter’s, York.

19.12.11

A series of new schools will be joining a host of returning ones in the 2012 School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

And the good news is that it’s not too late to enter the popular competition, now in its third year.

Among the schools making their debuts in 2012 will be King’s College, Taunton, in Somerset, Bishop’s Stortford High School, from Hertfordshire, and Ipswich School.

Other debutants include Norwich School, Writhlington School, Bath, and St Joseph’s College, Ipswich.

They will be joining returning schools that include last year’s winners Huddersfield New College, runners-up Filton College, Bristol and 2010 runners-up Myerscough College, Preston.

Other schools making their third successive appearance in the competition include Amman Valley School, from Carmarthenshire, the Crypt School, from Gloucestershire, Moulton College, Northamptonshire, Shenfield High School, from Essex, Wilmslow High School and Yorkshire’s Shelley College.

The great mix of state and independent schools gives all cricketers in the first year of sixth form the chance to play in the year between GCSE and A-levels.

It also provides a perfect continuation for teams who competed in the ESCA’s excellent David English U13 Bunbury Cup and Lords Taverners U15 Trophy.

Schools who wish to enter in 2012 can use the entry form on our U17 Cricket Cup page of the website or email info@schoolsportmag.co.uk

15.12.11

Four different schools took the four national titles at the AEGON Team Tennis Schools Year 8 & 10 finals at Bolton Arena.

Queenswood School, from Hertfordshire won the year 10 girls title and Millfield Prep School snatched the year 8 boys event after both finals went to a vital doubles tie-break.

In the year 10 boys event, Surrey’s Reed’s School regained their title as did Talbot Heath School, from Bournemouth, in the year 8 girls competition.

(For further details check out our website results section and for full reports and pictures don’t miss the next edition of School Sport Magazine)

14.12.11

St Peter’s High School has written its name in the record books by becoming the first school to have all five year groups qualify for the national stages of the Carnegie Champion Schools rugby league competition.

When the RFL re-launched champion schools in 2002, the Wigan school managed to get two sides – years seven and eight – to the finals, whilst their progress has continued in recent years with the year 11 team winning the national final in 2006.

“We’ve not managed to get to another final since 2006 but as a whole the rugby at St Peter’s has continued to go from strength to strength,” said teacher Neil Ashton. “To be the first school to have all five teams in the national competition is a phenomenal achievement for our school.

“We are quite a small school often competing against schools twice our size, especially since the formation of academies. We have over 100 players involved which means that more than 20% of all the boys in school play rugby league.”

RFL north west regional manager Dan Parkinson also paid tribute to the schools efforts.

“This is a fantastic achievement for St Peters, the local area and all involved at the school. To get one team through to the Champion Schools national stages is great, so to get five teams through is outstanding. Every player deserves a great deal of praise for this achievement,” he said.

“Special thanks must go to Neil Ashton who not only has managed to support all five teams through into the national stages, but has managed the local Wigan & Leigh competition seeing over 53 games being played back in September. Congratulations once again”

14.12.11

Durham School, supplier of many high-calibre rugby union players down the years, has agreed a project which will launch a new contingent of young referees on a parallel pathway to excellence and recognition.

The RFU Schools’ Referee Academy based at Durham is the brainchild of former pupil Will Halford, the RFU referee development manager for North East and Yorkshire, whose relocation to the school has enabled him to set up this pioneering scheme.

Durham School’s director of sport Ben Mason supported the idea that, in return for work space, Halford would develop the programme, deliver the course and provide on-going support to any pupil interested in taking up the whistle.

The programme will deliver on the RFU’s aim of strengthening the clubs, schools and communities around them.

Pupils have already started to sign up to the course, which will give players first-hand experience of the training officials undertake in order to provide them with a better quality rugby experience.

Future plans are to open the academy to parents and to other schools, ultimately making it a hub for further development in Durham.

The ‘rookie’ pupil referees will have the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test at the Prep Schools’ 7s hosted by Durham School.

Halford, an England Colts trialist, attended Durham School between 1990-1995 and joined the RFU in 2007.

His role as a referee development manager for the North East and Yorkshire embraces training, recruitment and development of referees from U7s rugby to national league standard.

He also leads the national Young Officials Award for 14-19 year olds in full time education, which was created last year to encourage the next generation of referees.

“Rugby referees are hugely respected due to the whole ethos of the game and the core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship that we aim to instil in all our programmes,” says Halford. “It’s because of these qualities that rugby and academic studies go hand in hand.”

12.12.11

The future of competitive primary school cricket has been assured after the major sponsors of the ASDA Kwik Cricket U11 championships renewed for another three years.

ASDA will continue to support both the national girls primary schools competition along with the national Kwik Cricket mixed competition open to boys and girls in years five and six, the England and Wales Cricket Board have announced.

Since ASDA began sponsoring Kwik Cricket in 2006, the competition has continued to grow with 139,000 children and thousands of schools taking part in 2011.

Over the last six years, there has been a 55 per cent increase in participants in the girls’ competition alone.

ASDA Kwik Cricket is designed to provide children, between the ages of seven and 11, with an introduction to cricket and can be played either indoors or outdoors.

9.12.11

A top sports administrator in Wales is calling on schools to secure their share of London 2012 tickets so that Welsh pupils get the same chances as those in other parts of the UK.

As people across the world look forward to London 2012, schools in Wales can now guarantee a share of tickets for their pupils.

By signing up to the UK-wide Get Set Network, schools will automatically get a share of tickets to events at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. But they only have until Friday 16th December 2011 to sign-up.

In total, 50,000 tickets will be distributed to schools and colleges. Get Set is the official London 2012 education programme for schools and colleges across the UK.

In the UK, 27% of schools are Get Set Network members while latest figures on the official website show that 12% of Welsh schools are fully signed up.

“Being part of London 2012 is the chance of a lifetime and one that we want young people in Wales to be part of,” said Professor Laura McAllister, chair of Sport Wales. “It is another way that the London 2012 Games will leave a lasting educational, cultural and social legacy.

“The London 2012 torch relay route has recently been announced and I’m pleased to see that Wales features so prominently, including a trip to the top of Snowdon.

“I’ve been delighted to hear about the different community events that will be held as the torch travels through the country. We must all bear in mind that the opportunity to use the power of this event to encourage more young people to get involved in sport is one we must grasp.

“There are numerous ways in which people can get involved, but in many cases we have to act sooner rather than later to avoid being left behind.

“Schools have until December 16 to join-up to Get Set to guarantee a share of Olympic and Paralympic tickets for their pupils.

“However, it concerns me that only just 12% of schools in Wales are fully signed up to this scheme. This means our school children will miss out, with tickets being shared out across the UK.

“A pupil from England, Scotland or Northern Ireland will be watching an event live when it could have been someone from a Welsh school. Having the guarantee of a share of tickets for the school is a huge incentive.

“The ambition is to get every school in Wales signed up - it’s such a simple process. We can help build a real sporting community between schools in Wales and beyond.”

The process is completed in two parts. Schools firstly register on the network and then take the next sign-up step to access their rewards.

To join the network, the applicant will need to answers just three questions. Once signed-up the school will get access to unique opportunities and initiatives in the build-up to the Games, which could even include athlete visits or tours of the Olympic Park.

Teachers and students can also access free resources such as films and images, and they can also enter competitions.

Schools that have registered, but have not taken the next step to join, are being urged to complete their application before the December 16 deadline.

Teachers or the school’s designated Youth Sport Trust Gold Ambassadors are able to submit the application on behalf of the school Visit www.london2012.com/getset for further details

8.12.11

The future of competitive primary school cricket has been assured after the major sponsors of the ASDA Kwik Cricket U11 championships renewed for another three years.

ASDA will continue to support both the national girls primary schools competition along with the national Kwik Cricket mixed competition open to boys and girls in years five and six, the England and Wales Cricket Board have announced.

Since ASDA began sponsoring Kwik Cricket in 2006, the competition has continued to grow with 139,000 children and thousands of schools taking part in 2011.

Over the last six years, there has been a 55 per cent increase in participants in the girls’ competition alone.

ASDA Kwik Cricket is designed to provide children, between the ages of seven and 11, with an introduction to cricket and can be played either indoors or outdoors.

7.12.11

Three contenders will battle it out for the Sky Sports Living for Sport Awards Sports Teacher of the Year.

The new award aims to honours the outstanding work of teachers who go the extra mile in encouraging pupils into sport.

The three finalists are Bob Foley, from Newbattle High School in Midlothian, Martin Reay, from Budehaven Community School in Cornwall, and Darren Taxis, from the Phoenix School in Grantham.

Midlothian-based PE teacher Bob Foley introduced a basketball project that transformed the life of quiet student Conor Fitzpatrick, who went on to win the Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year in 2010.

Martin Reay runs after-school activities including cycling, surfing and martial arts to supply a range of pupils with diverse sporting needs.

And Lincolnshire-based PE Co-ordinator Darren Taxis has been integral in leading regular classes such as street dance, archery and boxing.

Sky Sports Living for Sport, delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, is a free secondary schools initiative that uses sport stars and sport skills to improve the lives of thousands of young people by boosting confidence, changing behaviours and increasing attainment.

All three finalists will attend the national ceremony at Wembley Stadium on January 19, where Olympic gold medal winning sprinter Darren Campbell will present the awards.

Darren said: “This is the first year we have run the Teacher of the Year Award and we have been extremely impressed with the quality of entries.

“Teachers across the UK are instrumental in delivering projects within their schools, motivating and encouraging students to improve their life skills through sport.”

6.12.11

Four schools were crowned national champions at the ESAA's national schools cross country championships at Princethorpe College in Warwickshire.

Queen's College, Taunton (U13 boys), Loreto Grammar School, Altrincham (U13 girls), St Albans School (U15 boys) and Southend High School for Girls (U15 girls) picked up the team titles in the prestigious competition.

(For a full report and pictures, check out the next edition of School Sport Magazine, out in January)

6.12.11

Plymouth College claimed seven titles, Millfield three and Guildford High School two at the ESSA Secondary School Swimming Championships at Southampton.

(For a full report and pictures, check out the next edition of School Sport Magazine, out in January)

5.12.11

Excitement is building ahead of the start of the annual Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Rugby Union Cup, the second oldest rugby competition in the world.

The preliminary round of the 2011-12 competition will take place on Saturday December 10 when Antrim Grammar host Wellington College to determine which school will join eleven others in the second round of the competition.

The draw for the second round, to be played on Saturday January 14, will see Belfast High School v Larne Grammar School, Lurgan College v Cambridge House School, Friends School v Antrim Grammar or Wellington College, Portora Royal School v Dalriada, Rainey Endowed School v Carrick Grammar School and Omagh Academy v Banbridge Academy.

The winning teams from round two matches will be joined by ten teams Bangor Grammar, Belfast Royal Academy, Coleraine Academical Institution, Down High School, Foyle & Londonderry College, Grosvenor Grammar School, Portadown College, Regent House School, Royal School Dungannon and Sullivan Upper School for the third round on Saturday January 28.

The final eight seeded teams Ballyclare High School, Ballymena Academy, Campbell College, Limavady Grammar, Methodist College Belfast, Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Royal School Armagh and Wallace High School will join the winners of round three for round four on Saturday February 11.

The quarter finals will take place on Saturday February 25, the semi finals on March 5 and 7 and the final on Monday March 19 at Ravenhill (ko 3pm).

Northern Bank, sponsors since 2005, have renewed for another three years as Rosamond Bennett, head of communications, explained.

She said: “It’s a tournament that holds a particularly special place in the hearts of pupils and former pupils, teachers and families, who come out to show their support rain, hail, shine or snow.

“It is this level of local energy and passion that makes the Schools’ Cup such a rewarding partnership for us as a local bank. We are looking forward to another exciting tournament ahead.”

2.12.11

Two of the big guns in East Anglian cricket will be doing battle next year for the first time in the third School Sport Magazine U17 National Schools Cricket Cup.

Norwich School and Ipswich School, two of the biggest names in Norfolk and Suffolk cricket, will both be making their debuts in the cup in 2012.

The competition, open to all state and independent schools with sixth forms as well as sixth form colleges, will run throughout the 2012 summer term between April and July with the final in September.

Norwich and Ipswich will be joining a host of new and returning schools in the 40 over contest which is proving a big draw for young cricketers in the year between their GCSE and A-level studies.

Filton College, Bristol, won this year’s competition following Bedford School’s inaugural win in 2010.

Anyone interested in entering can do so by emailing us at info@schoolsportmag.co.uk to receive further details.

2.12.11

The girls at Holmwood House Prep School in Colchester are jumping for joy after both their U9 A & B netball teams were crowned champions at the Ipswich High Fives Netball tournaments.

Six schools entered teams in each tournament - Holmwood House, Ipswich Prep School, Ipswich High School for Girls, The Abbey School, Orwell Park and Littlegarth.

And in the A team tournament, Holmwood House team were unbeaten, winning all five of their matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding only one.

In the B team tournament, Holmwood House won four matches and drew one, scoring 20 goals and conceding only four.

Holmwood House netball coach, Janet Austin said: “I was delighted with the stunning play of all twelve girls who performed brilliantly on both days. They demonstrated some amazing netball skills and showed that they can all play every position well.”

Holmwood’s victory proved their second recent triumph following a victory against eleven other schools from four different counties in the U9 tournament at Brandeston Hall.

Headmaster Alexander Mitchell added: “Girls’ sport is becoming a real strength of the school, matching the outstanding successes the boys have enjoyed for many years.”

1.12.11

The 31st ESAA English Schools Cross Country Cup Finals will take place at Princethorpe School, near Rugby, this Saturday December 3.

The premier schools team cross country event in England, almost 600 runners will be taking part on the day from an original entry of more than 8000 school athletes.

Twenty four school teams – the first three teams from the regional finals - will compete in each of the four finals starting at 1pm with athletes ranging from eleven to 15 years old.

Kicking off with the intermediate girls U15 event at 1pm start, the winning schools from each of the regional finals are Tudor Hall School, Banbury, Minster School, Southwell in Nottinghamshire, Queen Margaret's School, York, Southend High School for Girls, Loreto Grammar School, Altrincham, James Allen's Girls' School, London, Newquay Tretherras School and Sandbach High School, from Cheshire.

Leading individual competitors are likely to be Amy Cooper, from Millfield School, who was fourth last year, Georgina Hay, from James Allen School (seventh last year) and Ella Shirley, from Minster Schools (ninth last year).

In the junior boys U13 event which starts at 1.30pm, the winning schools from the regional finals are Dr Challoner's Grammar School, Amersham, Minster School, Southwell, Ermysted's Grammar School, Skipton, Southend High School for Boys, Lancaster Royal Grammar School, Judd School, Tonbridge, Queen's College, Taunton, and Thomas Telford School.

Leading contenders will be Ben Jones (seventh last year), Patrick Free (ninth) and Dan Wilde.

The junior girls U13 event starts at 2pm and will feature regional winners Aylesbury High School, Loughborough High School, Central Newcastle High School, King John School, from Benfleet in Essex, Loreto Grammar School, Altrincham, James Allen's Girls' School, London, Abbey School, Reading, and Bromsgrove School.

The final event will see the intermediate boys U15 event starting at 2.20pm and featuring the regional winners Ousedale School, Newport Pagnell, Leeds Grammar School, Northfield School, from Billingham in Cleveland, St Albans School, West Hill School, from Stalybridge, Judd School, Tonbridge, Reading Blue Coat School and Thomas Telford School.

With several teams making their debuts in the final, Robert Lightowler, from St Albans School, who finished sixth last year, will be one of the favourites for the individual title.

1.12.11

Oundle School completed a superb hat-trick of county netball titles to qualify for the regional finals next month.

Oundle’s U14, U16 and U19 netball teams all won the Northamptonshire round of the national competition.

The U19s beat Wellingborough 8-6, before overcoming Northampton High School, Pitsford, Duston and Guilsborough.

The U16s defeated Duston, Wellingborough, Pitsford, Northampton School for Girls and Campion and drew 7-7 with Northampton High School to claim the title on goal difference.

The U14s won all their matches, beating Wellingborough 3-0, Pitsford 11-2, Campion 6-1, Ferrers School 9-2 and Northampton School for Girls 7-2.

All three teams will now take part in the East Midlands regional finals at the end of January.

Bev Burnham, head of netball at Oundle, said: “This in an outstanding achievement for the school. To have all three age groups qualify for the regional finals as county champions is most gratifying.”

30.11.11

Ellesmere College U15 girls’ tennis team have qualified for the finals of the Aegon National Schools Championships in Bolton in December.

In the regional final at Nottingham, Ellesmere beat Repton School 6-0 before overcoming Welland Park Community College 4-1.

The Shropshire team - Harriet Jones, Olivia Jones, Kotryna Calova, Jessica Oldham and Catriona Jones - will now join three other finalists at Bolton Arena on December 3 and 4.

29.11.11

Felsted girls’ hockey team finished runners up in the National IAPS U13 Hockey Championships.

The Essex school beat Downs School 2-0, St Anselm’s 2-0, Gresham’s 1-0, Perrot Hill 2-1 and drew with Swanbourne House before overcoming Foremarke 2-0 in the semi finals.

But Cranleigh School nicked a golden goal in extra time after the final finished 0-0 to land the title.

28.11.11

Hundreds of students from schools across Chelmsford created a massive ‘human 2012’ at New Hall School.

Nasser Hussain, former Essex and England cricketer and New Hall cricket coach, was on hand to help launch the Gold Challenge, an exciting sporting initiative in the run-up to the Olympics 2012.

Schools across the town are joining forces to get involved with the games and raise money for local charities by taking part in a series of sporting challenges.

18.11.11

Wiltshire’s Dauntsey’s School nudged aside Bath’s Beechen Cliff School 18-10 on their travels to set up an epic fifth round Daily Mail RBS U18 Schools Rugby Union Cup clash away to fierce Bristol-based rivals and seven-times former champions Colston’s School.

Dauntsey’s delighted coach and former Bath scrum half Marcus Olsen who said: “We’ve got a settled side that went to Australia in the summer and were unbeaten in five games.

“They’ve also gone nine games unbeaten so far this season and now we’ve got Colston’s and we’re very much looking forward to it. That’s what you enter this competition for.”

Abingdon School were comfy 36-10 fourth round winners over Reading School to set up a titanic clash against arch rivals Pangbourne College.

“The competition against Pangbourne is always quite fierce,” admits the school’s head of sport Peter Coke. “We may not be a big side but we’re very effective in the backs.”

Both of the Royal Grammar School High Wycombe teams made it through to their next respective cup rounds with the U18s easing past visitors Dr Challoner’s School, Little Chalfont, 53-3, and the U15 team squeezing home 13-5 against visitors Aylesbury Grammar School.

17.11.11

Entries have opened for the third School Sport Magazine U17 National Schools Cricket Cup 2012.

The competition, open to all state and independent schools with sixth forms as well as sixth form colleges, will run throughout the 2012 summer term between April and July with the final in September.

Filton College, Bristol won this year’s competition following Bedford School’s inaugural win in 2010.

Open to boys aged 16 and under on August 31 2011, the 40-over competition will be run on a regional basis in the early rounds, played in midweek and will be open to schools and colleges in England, Wales and Scotland.

The number of schools taking part will be limited again because of the single-term nature of the competition so early entry is recommended.

Phil Tusler, publishing editor of School Sport Magazine, said: “The English Schools Cricket Association do a fantastic job running national competitions at U11, U13 and U15 level so an U17 competition complements that superbly and extends competitive cricket for an important age group between GCSE and A-levels.”

16.11.11

The Carnegie Champion Schools Rugby League tournament continues to expand in Yorkshire with more than 50 per cent of all secondary schools in the county now playing in the competition.

The local stages of the 2011-2012 competition have now been completed in Yorkshire leaving 32 teams in each age group to contest the regional stages of the world’s largest knockout rugby league competition.

The RFL’s director of participation David Gent said: “The continued expansion of the Carnegie Champion Schools competition is testament to the hard work of the rugby league development staff who work tirelessly to introduce the sport to new people.

“The fact that over 50 per cent of all the secondary schools in Yorkshire have taken part in the Carnegie Champion Schools competition this year is fantastic and highlights how strong rugby league is in this region.”

This year more than 7,000 players and more than 420 teams including 20 new schools have taken part in the local stages of the competition. There will be also be eight schools making their debuts at the regional stages over the next few weeks.

The debutants include Shurburn, Milthorpe, Selby High, Brayton High all representing North Yorkshire, Clifton (Rotherham) from South Yorkshire as well as Shelly High and Castle Hall from Kirklees and Immanuel College Bradford.

Last year’s Year 7 Wembley finalists both start their campaigns with home ties with champions Brooksbank coming up against Priesthorpe (Leeds) and South Leeds Academy drawn against Trinity Academy (Calderdale)

Temple Moor High School, the national finalists in 2010 and 2011, start with a home tie against St Catherine’s (Calderdale)

Year 11 sees two-times national champions Brooksbank entertain Corpus Christie in their bid to make it three in a row whilst Sirius Academy, Yorkshire champions for the last two years, are looking to hold onto that title and go one better with a national trophy starting with a home tie against St Wilfrids (Wakefield).

15.11.11

Barnard Castle School in County Durham hosted a World Cup Tag Tugby Union Festival for twelve primary teams from the surrounding area.

Renowned for producing former international players such as Rory and Tony Underwood, Rob Andrew and Mathew Tait, the Barnard Castle festival was the end product of 35 visits made by sports coaches from the school since the start of the term.

Mixed teams played 7-a-side games with all the matches being refereed by Barnard Castle School sixth form pupils.

Director of sport Martin Pepper put the tournament together when he became aware that local schools had fewer opportunities to develop sport because of the costs of bringing external coaches in.

He explained: “It was a fantastic opportunity for our coaches to visit schools in the area to help develop rugby. We have good quality coaches, the facilities and the passion for competitive sport.

“We wanted to help schools by providing an exciting, robust yet sustainable coaching programme for the pupils and we aim to repeat the programme throughout the year with other sports.

“The festival was a real success and all the players enjoyed themselves. We had six matches being played constantly for nearly two hours.

Damian Hassan, deputy head at Hamsterley Primary, said: “All of the children enjoyed the festival and all had their own moment of sporting success to talk about, whether it was scoring a try, making a successful tackle, or just making a good pass.”

14.11.11

The judges have met and the votes counted after another terrific year for competitive school sport.

It’s been a particularly tough series of decisions but here are the winners of the School Sport Magazine 2011 awards.

State Sports School Of The Year, sponsored by Mark Harrod Ltd

A sporting revolution that recognizes the value of combining education with specialist sports coaching has won a Bristol centre of a learning the state sports school of the year.

Filton College started their Academy of Sport several years ago to give talented young sportsmen and women to chance to train with like-minded individuals.

It’s achievements in 2011 included winning the national ESFA U18 College’s Cup for Girls and the National Schools U17 Cricket Cup as well as finishing runners-up in the ESTTA U19 table tennis championships.

More than that though, Filton expanded its range of sporting academies to eleven with taekwondo and American Football the latest to join more traditional sports such as rugby, netball, golf and basketball.

Judges agreed that the “Filton model could be used a blueprint for sport all over the country and could even be expanded and adopted by schools for younger age groups.”

Independent Sports School Of The Year, sponsored by Ram Sports

It takes an exceptional school to win a national award once. To do it twice in three years means you have probably surpassed your previous achievement.

That’s just the case with the winners of the 2011 Independent Sports School of the Year award – Whitgift School, from Croydon.

The Surrey school won an incredible ten national titles spread over five different sports to replicate the award they won in 2009.

The run started in January when their U16 and U18 teams won their respective national indoor hockey titles – the first time any school has achieved this.

In March, the 1st XV secured a historic double by becoming one of only three schools to have won the Daily Mail/RBS Schools’ Rugby Union U18 Cup in consecutive years.

Two weeks earlier the U13 and U15 football teams became ISFA national football champions while, after the Easter break, the U13 and U14 outdoor hockey teams claimed national titles - with the 1st XI losing in the national final on sudden death penalty flicks.

In cricket, the U13 team won the ESCA David English Bunbury Cup and the U15 team claimed the ESCA Twenty/20 national schools trophy while their biathlon team won the U13 British Schools title.

Alistair Osborne, who oversees more than 140 school teams and 1200 fixtures as director of sport, said: “This has been an exceptional year.”

Boys Sports Team Of The Year, sponsored by Huck Nets

Wycliffe College squash players in Bristol completed their best ever season in 2011 by doing the double in the national schools championships.

It’s an achievement which has led the Gloucestershire school to beating off 46 other worthy nominations to land the boys sports team of the year award.

Andy Naish, director of sport, enthused: “Wycliffe last won the U19 title back in 2002 when Alister Walker (currently number 19 in the world rankings) was in the team. Since then, the title has belonged to Millfield.

“To win both the boys U19 and U15 titles – a feat which no other school has ever achieved in the 70 year history of the competition – was incredible but richly deserved.”

The award will be especially rewarding for Wycliffe squash coach Dave Morrish, who leaves at the end of the year to take up a coaching position in Canada.

Primary Sports School Of The Year, sponsored by Bishop Sports

The fantastic work being done by primary schools all over the country can often be overlooked when the secondary school sporting canvas is so vast.

But among a host of outstanding performances in 2011, the primary sports school of the year goes to Stanley Primary School, from Teddington in Middlesex, who capped a great year by becoming the first team ever to retain the national schools tag rugby title.

Led by PE co-ordinator James Watson, the school also excelled in a variety of sports, winning borough competitions in netball, football, basketball and cross-country.

Michael Skinner, competition manager at Richmond School Sport Partnership, said: “I have been fortunate to work with the school for the past four years and they have broadened the sporting landscape available for its students by competing in many external events.

“For someone in my position that is trying to work with schools to increase participation rates, raise the profile of the benefits of sport, and to establish pathways for elite performers, Stanley is a pleasure to work with as they exhibit all of these values.”

Sports Teacher Of The Year, sponsored by Crazy Catch

Sports teachers are the unsung heroes and heroines of the school sport community – often going above and beyond the call of duty with no expectation of reward.

Among a plethora of fantastic nominations, judges agreed that this year’s winner should be Eartha Pond, who combines her teaching job at Westminster Academy with playing professional football for Birmingham City.

As one judge put it: “We’d like to see John Terry or Wayne Rooney trying to do the same thing.”

In two years, Eartha has developed her teaching skills to such an extent that she gained an “outstanding” judgement been awarded a teaching certificate judgement through the graduate teaching programme.

But as Westminster Academy’s head of PE Dave Gorton explains: “As well as her footballing commitments, Eartha has been instrumental in raising the profile of girl’s sport and encouraging the aspiration of both boys and girl’s football.

“To further encourage the uptake of sporting activities, particularly amongst the large group of Muslim girls at the Academy, Eartha has escorted groups to cricket initiatives at Lords, introduced tag rugby in the curriculum and formed a swim squad for the local swim gala.

“As a role model in her local community, Eartha can also often be found visiting the local youth clubs developing partnerships between the Academy and the community.”

Girls Sports Team Of The Year, sponsored by MKK Sports

There was a time when Plymouth College’s sporting achievement didn’t extend beyond the county boundaries.

But a decision to focus on swimming as one of the Devon’s school’s main sports several years ago has being paying off with increasing recognition.

And while acknowledging the achievements of the school’s male swimmers, judges agreed the achievements of the girls swimming team deservedly won them the girls sports team of the year award.

Winning four of the six titles on offer at the 53rd English Schools Swimming Association championships underlined that achievement and talent.

Stephi Baker, communications manager at Plymouth College, enthused: “The team are dedicated and passionate about their sport, getting up at 5am every day to be coached, putting many hours into their training both before and after school.”

Sporting Schoolboy Of The Year, sponsored by Maude Sports

The sporting schoolboy of the year category was highly competitive this year with 65 nominations across a range of sports.

But the judges were unanimous in awarding the prize to 14-year-old Joseph Brown who won not one but two national schools titles in 2011.

Incredibly the Portsmouth Grammar School pupil only took up the javelin a few months ago after teachers noticed how far and fast he could a cricket ball!

Yet in July, Joseph won the English Schools junior javelin title with a throw of more than 50 metres – just six weeks after an operation on his foot left him in a cast for two weeks.

The talented all-rounder was also a key member of the Portsmouth Grammar team that won the ESCA Lords Taverners U15 cricket title for the first time.

Chris Dossett, director of sport at Portsmouth Grammar, said: “At 48-4 against Bradfield College in the semi-final, Joseph scored 75 in a partnership 152 of to save the game for PGS.

“Then in the final against Denstone College, his javelin arm came into great use when, fielding on the longest boundary, a flat throw ran out one of their key batsman by at least five metres.”

Sporting Schoolgirl Of The Year, sponsored by Maude Sports

Sometimes a pupil’s all-round sporting ability within the school environment is worthy of wider recognition.

Such is the case with Surbiton High School pupil Tamara Mulley who has represented the school in no less than six different sports, netball, hockey, gymnastics, trampolining, rounders and tennis, and who wins our sporting schoolgirl of the year.

In between competing, the young teenager also helps coach weekly netball sessions for the year 7s and scored the highest GCSE PE grade in her year.

Lucy Roberts, head of PE at Surbiton HS, said: “Tamara is an outstanding student of sport. She is a committed athlete who balances her academic work with her sporting commitments. She should be highly commended for her efforts, enthusiasm and maturity.”

14.11.11

Schools across England that are engaged with the London 2012 Get Set education programme have been invited to apply for a grant through a new scheme that encourages them to inspire their community through sport.

Funded by the Department for Education, the 'Plan your 2012' scheme offers up to £8,800 to Get Set network schools which show their passion for the Games by engaging other schools and building partnerships across their community.

London 2012 organising committee chair Seb Coe said: “We are delighted to be working even more closely with DfE, and the ‘Plan your 2012’ programme of grants will mean that more schools and more young people can be inspired by and benefit from local leadership and best practice in their area.

“Members of the Get Set network are brilliant advocates for London 2012 - demonstrating what a positive difference linking learning to the Games can make to young people.”

Schools are already using the 'Plan your 2012' grants in a variety of ways. For example, a secondary school is creating a multilingual sports event for local schools, while a primary school will be organising a ‘virtual games’ between local schools twinned with other schools across the world.

Children’s Minister Tim Loughton said: “It’s really encouraging to see so many schools keen to take part. With Get Set and Plan your 2012 we are giving schools the chance to create their own legacy that will last far beyond 2012.”

The second round of applications for the ‘Plan your 2012’ scheme will open on 28 November and close on 6 January 2012.

To find out more about the application process, schools can visit the London 2012 Get Set website.

Schools that join the Get Set network before Friday 16 December will also secure a free allocation of tickets to the Games through the London 2012 Ticketshare initiative as well as other exclusive rewards and opportunities.

More than 20,500 schools have already registered with the programme, which provides students and teachers with access to free resources to support young people to explore the Olympic and Paralympic Values.

9.11.11

Oakham School and Warwick School, two previous winners of the Daily Mail RBS Schools U18 Rugby Union Cup, are safely through to this season’s fourth round.

Oakham, who won the competition in 2002 and 2003 and who were beaten finalists last season, beat Leicester GS 37-3 in a local derby and now have home advantage against Loughborough GS in the next stage.

Warwick, cup winners in 2007, have a home third round tie against Tring School from Hertfordshire having disposed of the Knights Templar School 55-0.

The King’s School from Worcester are already through to the fourth round following a whopping 74-5 win over Bedstone College and a 32-3 victory at neighbours Chase School from Malvern.

King’s will have home advantage against either Solihull School or King Edward VI Five Ways from Birmingham in the fourth round.

In the Daily Mail RBS Schools U15 Cup, Bedford School, who won the competition in 2006, reached the third round without having to take the pitch.

Bedford were due to travel to Queensbury School in the second round but their county rivals withdrew giving Bedford a walkover to the third round where they will host St Columba’s College from Hertfordshire.

Bedford’s town rivals, Bedford Modern School, are already through to the fourth round having been awarded a third round bye.

Bedford Modern will now travel to play the winners of the Oakham School v Trent College third round tie.

(For a full progress report on the competition, check out the new edition of School Sport Magazine, out next Monday Nov 14)

8.11.11

Henley College have teamed up with national one club Coventry to provide rugby union and educational opportunities for talented players in the 16-19 year old age group.

The Henley College Rugby Development Centre will provide a bespoke educational framework to provide students with a platform to prepare for a professional career through the guidance of Coventry RFC & Henley College.

The development centre will provide a structured player pathway along with an education programme offering players an opportunity to gain RFU qualifications and develop their coaching skills within the community.

Pete Glackin, Henley College’s director of rugby and first team backs’ coach at Coventry, said: “The established structure is already in place within the college and this partnership with the city’s leading club will be pivotal in developing talent in Coventry.

“We have already seen the pathway in place with college players recently representing the Coventry Nighthawks and England Colleges.

“I firmly believe in the importance of educating players within the game and this framework will aim to provide players with the utmost opportunity to develop their rugby careers further.”

In addition to studying, players will participate in daily training sessions both with the Coventry club and at Henley College’s facilities.

They will also compete in a competitive college league structure with matches played primarily a Wednesday afternoons but with a number under floodlights.

Home matches will be played at Coventry’s Butts Park Arena allowing local youth players the opportunity to play rugby within their home city stadium.

The programme will allow players the chance to develop skills and an understanding in Sports Nutrition, Training & Fitness, Analysis of Sports Performance and Psychology in preparation for their rugby development and will complement their rugby training programme.

Coventry director of rugby Phil Maynard said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for all local talented players to progress in both their rugby and educational development and with it being the first of its kind in the City of Coventry it is a great pathway that will help players in the quest for rugby in Coventry colours.”

2.11.11

The search to find the Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year 2011 has reached the final stage.

Twelve regional finalists have been invited to attend the national awards ceremony at Wembley Stadium on 19th January 2012 where Olympic gold medal winning sprinter and Sky Sports Living for Sport Ambassador Darren Campbell will be presenting the overall Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year Award 2011.

The finalists are Mark Ferguson, Daldorch House School, Catrine, Nick Wood, The Lancaster School, Leicester, Abdul Jalil, Blue River Academy, Greet, Nahida Begum, Bedford Academy, Charlotte Dale, Macclesfield Academy, Emma Cassell, Manor Technology College, Hartlepool, Eoghan Doherty, St Mary's Grammar School, Magherafelt, Ethan Ashby, Llandarcy Community Centre, Llandarcy, Yahya Muhieddine, The Lampton School, Hounslow, Zac Lavers, the Castle School, Taunton , Shaquille Jack, Sir William Ramsay School, High Wycombe and Lindsay McGlone, Balby Carr Community Sports & Science College, Doncaster

Sky Sports Living for Sport, delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, is a free secondary schools initiative that uses sport stars and sport skills to improve the lives of thousands of young people by boosting confidence, changing behaviours and increasing attainment.

The Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year awards have encouraged schools across the UK to nominate pupils whose involvement demonstrates how sport has supported them in developing skills such as confidence, respect and a sense of achievement.

Thrilled with the overall quality of entries received for the awards, Darren Campbell said: “All twelve of these pupils really deserve their awards. I know how influential sport can be on the development of young people.

“Going into schools, I’ve seen for myself how much of an impact Sky Sports Living for Sport is having. It’s incredible to watch how pupils’ attitudes can shift and how belief in themselves and their abilities can be transformed. This award demonstrates how sport is helping them equip themselves with skills that will help them succeed.”

28.10.11

Britain’s best sixty four school teams have each reached the last sixteen of the AEGON Team Tennis Year 8 and 10 Schools Championships.

Sixteen teams from England, Scotland and Wales will battle it out in each of the four boys and girls regional finals on November 17 and 18.

Played indoors over two days with a format of four singles and two doubles, the best four teams will qualify for the national finals at Bolton Arena on December 3 and 4.

Last year’s defending champions all remain and have high hopes of qualifying for the finals, most notably Talbot Heath School from Dorset who won both girls titles last year.

Other schools who still have two teams left in the competition include Ivybridge Community College, Devon, Reed’s School, Surrey, Sevenoaks School, Durham High School and Altrincham Boys Grammar School.

Matt Byford, circuit director for AEGON Team Tennis Schools, said: ‘This year’s competition has seen a positive increase in the number of teams taking part and the league stages have been much improved in many areas with the introduction of online leagues for results and updates tables.”

Schools can enter any of the three 2012 AEGON Team Tennis Schools competitions via www.LTA.org.uk/AEGON-Team-Tennis-Schools

20.10.11

Welsh schoolgirl Georgia Thomas birdied the final hole to halve the annual schools golf international between England and Wales at Copt Heath near Birmingham.

Georgia beat Ferrers Arts College pupil Meghan MacLaren, from Northamptonshire, by one hole to level the scores 9-9.

In a game of two halves, the England boys lost the foursomes 3-1 but bounced back to win the singles 5-3, while the English girls won both foursomes only for Wales to take the singles 3-1 for a 9-9.

On a perfect day for golf on a superb course, England’s only success in the boys’ foursomes was secured by team captain Hugh Campbell, from Queen’s School, Hertfordshire, and Mike Younie, from Filton College, Bristol, who beat Adam Tuft and Chris Edwards 4&3.

Wales’ girls were on the wrong end of their games as England gained a 2-0 lead through MacLaren and Abi Laker, from Henry Box School, Oxfordshire and Lancashire duo Lucie Walker, from Winstanley College, and Hollie Vizard, from Tottington High School.

In the afternoon singles, the England boys took command with Campbell and Younie again tasting victory as did Scott Gregory, from Crookhorn College, Hampshire, Ashton Turner, from Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Lincolnshire, and Kieran Foster, from Loughborough College, to leave their contest at 6-6.

However, the girls were on the back foot with only Hollie Vizard coming out on top for her second win of the day. It left the stage for the final green putt to leave the tie all square.

High winds and driving rain disrupted the international between England and Scotland at Kilmarnock Barassie.

But with only the singles matches being completed, the Scots won both the boys and girls competition for the first time in the event’s 36-year history.

The tail end of hurricane Katia was the problem so an early decision was made to play the singles in the morning because officials were unsure all games would be completed in the day.

It proved a sound move as the Scots coped better, winning the girls’ match 5-1 and the boys’ 8-4.

All the English girls struggled to cope with the conditions and Georgina Mundy, from Brockenhurst College in Hampshire, was the only English winner, coming from behind to beat Jessica Meek 3&1.

The boys fared a little better, gaining three wins and two halves. But, again, the Scots held sway, the English successes coming from Mark Collins, from Homewood School, Kent, Jordan Slater, from Colne Community School, Essex, and Daniel Brown, from Bedale High School, Yorkshire.

Jamie Clare, from Millfield School, runner-up in the English Amateur in vastly different conditions at Woburn in July, was beaten 6&5 by Euan Walker, while England U16 champion Jack Hermeston, from St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School, Northumberland, suffered in the wind and rain and settled for a half with Craig Howie.

20.10.11

Wycliffe’s College 1st XV rugby team beat Poland’s national U18 team 16-0 at the opening match of their rugby tour of the country.

Director of sport Andy Naish said; “This is our second tour to one of Europe’s emerging rugby nations and we are finding that, as well as promoting the sport abroad, we are finding very high quality in their national sides. It is a fantastic experience for our boys and for the teams they are facing.”

Following the Gloucestershire school’s visit to Germany two years ago, three German international players moved to the school where they now form part of the school’s strongest 1st XV for decades.

Mr Naish added: “The opportunities for these boys to be playing competitive rugby week in-week out is one they do not get at home and their national coaches have been full of praise for how their game has developed since coming to Wycliffe.”

19.10.11

Sporting stars are to join Olympic sprint legend Darren Campbell’s team of athlete mentors as they visit schools in across the UK to help improve the lives of thousands of young people on behalf of Sky Sports Living for Sport during the new academic year.

Now in its ninth year, Sky Sports Living for Sport is a free initiative delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust that uses sports stars and sports skills to improve the lives of thousands of young people in secondary schools across the UK.

World champions and gold medallists from sports including athletics, rugby and boxing will visit secondary schools to inspire and motivate pupils to apply the life lessons learned through sport to all aspects of their lives.

All the athlete mentors have been specially selected by the Youth Sport Trust because of their own inspiring journeys to overcome issues and achieve success.

The athlete mentors’ school visits are a major incentive and a fundamental part of Sky Sports Living for Sport is the opportunity for thousands of pupils across the UK to meet and speak with one of a selection of sports stars.

The full athlete mentor team across the UK is hockey player Alex Danson, adaptive rower Alistair McKean, swimmer Chris Cook, athletes Tim Prendergast, Daniel Caines and Jeanette Kwakye, boxers Darran Langley, Dermot Gascoyne, Natasha Jonas and Hannah Beharry, rugby players Thinus Delport, Heather Fisher, Jo Yapp and Katy Storrie, skater Jenna Downing, long jumper JJ Jegede, BMX cyclist Mike Mullen, bobsleigher Nicola Minichiello, Thai boxer Rachael Mackenzie, wheelchair rugby player Steve Brown, gymnast Steve Frew and Tom Davis (judo).

During the visits – for which participating schools can register at http://livingforsport.skysports.com – the Athlete Mentors share their stories with the young people, talking not only about their sporting careers, but also more personally about the challenges they have faced in their own lives.

The visits help pupils understand how sport has enabled the athlete mentor to overcome the issues and barriers in his or her life, providing tangible proof that lessons learned through sport, such as determination, respect and confidence can be applied to all areas of their daily lives to help them achieve their goals.

Mike Mullen said: “Sport is such a powerful tool to use for improving life skills. From my own personal experiences I know exactly how sport can truly help a person strive to get the best out of life.

“Each sporting activity I go through with the young people has additional benefits and skills attached to it that can be applied into everyday life, whether it be learning how to work as a team or developing skills for social interaction.

“To have the opportunity to share my own story with young people is a real privilege. I’m very excited about the year ahead and meeting more inspirational students across the East Midlands.”

The athletes will parallel the British Athletes Commission’s Six Keys to Success by instilling in pupils values such as belief, determination, people skills and time management.

Darren Campbell, Ambassador of Sky Sport Living for Sport, added: “Sky Sports Living for Sport is now into its ninth year and once again we have an incredible line up of motivating and inspiring Athlete Mentors.

“They will be visiting hundreds of schools across the UK sharing their personal stories and playing a big role in supporting the work of the teachers to encourage pupils to embark on their own journeys of development.”

To date, 30,000 young people in over 1,500 schools have benefited since the programme began in 2003, and more than 400 schools have signed up during the past academic year.

The ambition of the project is for 2012 schools to register with Sky Sports Living for Sport by 2012 and to build the activities put in place as part of the initiative into curricular and extracurricular programmes.

With the help of online planning tools, resources and a supply of free sports clothing, Sky Sports Living for Sport has benefitted 30,000 young people in over 1,500 schools since the programme began in 2003.

This year 750 schools across the UK will benefit from a visit from a Sky Sports Living for Sport Athlete Mentor.

Schools seeking to learn more about how to become involved in Sky Sports Living for Sport are invited to sign up at http://livingforsport.skysports.com/.

18.10.11

New Hall School in Chelmsford have become U14 girls county hockey champions after beating Bancroft’s School 2-0 in the final at Redbridge Sports Centre.

New Hall will now represent Essex in the Eastern regional championships later this term.

18.10.11

Lady Eleanor Holles School achieved their best ever results at the Middlesex lacrosse tournament to become county champions.

The U18 team won all their games while the U15 side scored twelve and conceded only one

12.10.11

Olympic triple jump gold medallist Jonathan Edwards, Olympic heptathlon gold medallist Denise Lewis and Paralympic gold medallist swimmer Chris Holmes are among the stars turning out for the Youth Sport Trust’s School Sport Conference today.

The two-day conference at the Telford International Centre, themed ‘Competition Inspiring Everyone’, will showcase some of the latest developments in school sport, including the new School Games.

Baroness Sue Campbell, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, who will be opening the conference, said: “We are now entering the last academic year before we host the greatest sporting spectacle on earth – the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“The beginning of this school year provides us with the opportunity to look at how we should best deliver PE and school sport for young people at a time when national excitement around sport has never been higher.

“The funding challenges over the last year have created much uncertainty for many of us. However, thanks to the resilience and commitment of all those involved in school sport, we now have a new opportunity to inspire a generation of young people to take part in PE and school sport.”

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of Sport for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport and Education Minister Tim Loughton will be among the headline speakers across the two days of the conference.

Jeremy Hunt said: “There are many people right across the country who make sport for kids fun, interesting and possible.

“These enthusiastic and committed individuals do an incredibly valuable job, often without the recognition they deserve. I want to thank all of them for their hard work and in the run up to 2012, I challenge others to get involved.”

The conference is aimed at School Games organisers, National Governing Bodies of Sport, local authorities, County Sports Partnerships and private coaching providers who are involved in delivering sport for young people.

The School Games is aiming to use the inspiration of London’s Olympics and Paralympics to help transform competitive sport in schools and get more people playing sport.

It will include a whole range of competitive sporting opportunities for young people, from class versus class, school versus school competitions and county wide festivals through to a national event in the Olympic Park next May.

10.10.11

Youngsters from across the West Midlands will be taking part in the finals day of the West Midlands Army Rugby Sevens at Stourbridge’s Stourton Park ground this Thursday.

This is the tenth year of the popular competition which provides competition for boys and girls in the years ten to eleven age groups at emerging rugby schools to compete in contact and tag rugby – a non-contact version of the game .

Schools have qualified for finals day by progressing from a series of local qualifying tournaments in the past week in Worcestershire, Shropshire, Birmingham and the Black Country, Warwickshire and Staffordshire.

Major Ken Kennedy, Army recruitment officer for the West Midlands, said: “All participating schools showed great rugby potential and it proved to be a closely-fought contest between some very talented teams.

“I’d like to thank all the students who took part in the competition and I hope they’ve been inspired to carry on with the sport after they leave school.

I’d also like to congratulate the three triumphant schools for their success and we wish them all the best for the finals. May the best team win.”

Ben Waterhouse, RFU rugby development officer for Worcestershire and South Warwickshire said: “We always have a great turn-out and it was fantastic to see so many teams take part in the Worcestershire heat. Now it’s time for the winning teams to prove themselves at a regional level and it promises to be a nail-biting final.”

7.10.11

A team of golfers from New Hall School in Chelmsford have won a coveted trophy at the Independent Schools Golf Association (ISGA) Cup.

The New Hall golf team beat 23 other schools at the Seve Ballesteros Shire Golf Club, Hertfordshire, to claim the nett trophy for the first time.

Frederick Benson, Tobias Tay-Smith, Harry Robins and teacher Kevin Searle – who overcame St Catherine’s School, Middlesex, by one shot - were also placed in the top four schools in the gross competition.

Kevin, head of golf at New Hall, said: “There has been a rise in the students’ interest in golf at New Hall School in recent years and, as a school, we are now investing more in the sport.

“This latest win demonstrates that the hard work of both the school and the players is really starting to pay off.”

In the gross competition, Wellington College retained the trophy by 13 strokes from Worksop College.

Overcoming stiff winds and water hazards on 14 holes, Wellington’s four-strong team of Cameron Farmer, Will Cooper, Alex Peters and teacher Iain Henderson also won a golf simulator for their school.

Cameron Farmer (Wellington) took the best boys gross with a 73 and Sophie Godley (Worksop) claimed with the girls prize after an impressive 74.

6.10.11

Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership played host to a Matalan Sporting Promise Training day for teachers.

Stafford Sports College was the venue where more than 40 primary and middle schools were represented for a career professional development day in gym, dance and games.

Teachers were engaged in a number of activities and programmes throughout the day while the course and resources were provided free by the Youth Sport Trust through sponsorship from Matalan.

Partnership development manager Steve Glover said: “It was a great start to the year for the partnership. The course brought all our schools together for a valuable day of learning.

“The strength of unity the partnership has was displayed throughout the day by the enthusiasm and dedication by all of the teachers present.”

It is hoped another full training day will be provided next year which will focus on key stage 1 physical education - once again provided by the Youth Sport Trust and sponsored this time by BUPA.

At the conclusion of the training, all schools in the partnership met for updates, cluster meetings and information from Stafford Rangers FC.

27.9.11

The launch of the country’s premier rugby union competition for schools coincides with the rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

And organisers are hoping that taking part in the Daily Mail RBS Schools Cup will inspire thousands of young players to attempt to emulate their national heroes.

Players like England’s Mike Tindall (QEGS, Wakefield) and Danny Care (Prince Henry’s GS, Otley) cut their competitive teeth in the Daily Mail RBS Cup which underlines how the competition can become the launch pad for a senior international career.

The U15 Cup began last week while the U18 Cup starts tomorrow with a tangible international incentive for the teams.

That comes via the fact that the finals of the four sections of the competition – both age groups feature a Vase competition for teams beaten in the first Cup round - will be played on the world-famous Twickenham turf on April 4 2012.

RFU President Willie Wildash said: “The Daily Mail RBS Schools Competition plays a pivotal role in schools rugby and the standard carries on rising year on year.

“For the eight teams who make it all the way to Twickenham for the finals, together with their schools, teachers, coaches and parents, it’s an unforgettable occasion and an achievement of which they can be very proud.”

Fourteen new schools will join the 464 teams involved in the U18 Cup this season while 31 new names will be among the teams going to post at U15 level.

26.9.11

Pupils at Astley High School in Northumberland had a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with rugby league’s Super League trophy.

Pupils from across the school had the chance to be photographed with one of sport’s most recognisable trophies.

The school’s successful year 11 girls rugby team are ranked eighth best school team in the country after their exploits at last year’s champion schools competition.

Community rugby league coach Lee Carbutt said: “Astley High School have really taken to rugby league coaching and is now firmly established as Northumberland’s number one rugby league school.

“All the PE staff, and in particular Jan Robinson, are fully supportive of both boys and girls rugby league and are hoping for more success in this year’s Champion Schools competition.”

Anyone interested in playing rugby league in and around the north east can contact Lee on leecarbutt@thunderrugby.com or 07824 827439.

16.9.11

England Netball, the country’s governing body for the sport, today announced the national launch of its High 5 programme – and each primary school that signs up gets free membership to the organisation.

High 5 is a programme designed to get both boys and girls in years five and six playing netball with the normal rules of sport adapted to allow greater freedom during play.

Five players are allowed on the court but the players and positions rotate throughout the game so there can be up to nine people in a squad.

Following the success of High 5 Netball in schools where more than 57,000 children have taken part in tournaments over the last two years, the programme is being promoted to all primary schools in England.

Paul Clark, CEO of England Netball, said: “We understand that in the current economic climate, school budgets are pretty tight and as a consequence we are offering free membership with a supporting High 5 package that we anticipate will stimulate participation in the game and longer term Improvements in the health and well being of our young people.”

Like five-a-side football and tag rugby, High 5 is the junior version of netball and provides basic experience of court positions and a stepping stone to the full seven-a-side game.

Every school signing up to High 5 will get access to an online resource centre providing PDFs and videos on how to organise and play High 5 games.

Paul added: “With an increasing emphasis on teachers and education professionals to instil an attitude of healthy living in their pupils, our High 5 programme aims to make netball accessible and enjoyable to everyone in the school environment.”

All primary schools in England will be sent an email with details of how to sign up to High 5 and take advantage of the free membership offer.

To sign up directly visit the England Netball High 5 website at www.englandnetball.co.uk/my-game/High_5

15.9.11

Filton College Bristol turned in a superb all-round performance to defeat Huddersfield New College and lift the School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup yesterday.

Craig Miles (74) and Sam Bracey (58) produced a match-winning 109 run second wicket partnership as Filton totalled 212-7 in 40 overs at Cumnore Cricket Club in Oxfordshire.

Then a devastating spell of fast-bowling led by Gloucestershire all-rounder Miles (2-11) ripped out Huddersfield’s top four for just 49 runs.

The Yorkshire side rallied well and never gave up with a series of exciting cameo innings including 33 from Connor Woodruff before eventually succumbing to 174 all out with more than five overs still remaining.

A full report with pictures of the first all state school national cricket cup final will be included in the November edition of School Sport Magazine.

12.9.11

Two sixth-form colleges will battle it out in the second School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup final this week.

Filton College, Bristol and Huddersfield New College will ensure a national schools cricket trophy is won by a state school for the first time ever at Cunmore CC in Oxfordshire this Wednesday Sep 14 (1pm start).

Both teams impressed with semi final victories over Portsmouth Grammar and reigning champions Bedford School respectively and hope to be at full-strength for the final.

Tim Hancock, head of cricket at Filton College, said: “The team are really looking forward to the day and for any young cricketer to reach a national final of any sort is a real thrill.

“The team have played some very good cricket throughout the competition and there have been some outstanding individual performances to get us this far.

“Our semi final win over Portsmouth Grammar was a very solid team performance and one which gave us a lot of satisfaction.”

Filton College from: Craig Miles, Sam Bracey, Stefan Brellisford, Will Golding, Harry Kitchen, Joe Wenham, Ben Gardner, Aaron Gibbs, Tom Richards, Ryan Adams, Josh Stephenson, James Taverner

Huddersfield New College from: Eddie Wilson, Oliver Ashford, Joe Bowman, Tom Boorman, Dan Rushworth, Tom Lightfoot, Jacob Waterson, Alex Walker, Chris Chapman, Connor Woodruff, John Hoyle, Alex Butters, Jack Hendy

(For a three page special on schools cricket, check out the Sep/Oct edition of School Sport Magazine, out this week).

12.9.11

Strathallan School dominated at the 150th Anniversary Madras Tournament, winning both the hockey and rugby competitions without conceding a goal or point.

The Perth school’s girls hockey team faced the High School of Dundee in the final having previously beaten St Leonards, Madras 2 and Perth Academy.

With a final score of 0-0 and no goals scored in extra time, the game went to penalty flicks with Strathallan winning 3-0 and captain Nicki Cochrane, Scotland’s U18 goalkeeper, saving all five opposition flicks.

Strathallan’s rugby team won all four of their matches scoring a total of eighteen tries and eight conversions to secure the tournament title.

9.9.11

Whitgift School denied Shrewsbury a second title in two days when they won the ESCA National Schools U15 Twenty/20 cricket championships at picturesque Arundel Castle yesterday.

The Surrey side won the toss and restricted Shrewsbury to just 73 in the final before winning by nine wickets in the 13th over.

Earlier in the semi finals, Whitgift defeated Portsmouth Grammar while Shrewsbury’s 130-6 proved six runs too many for Sedbergh School.

8.9.11

Shrewsbury School were crowned National Schools U18 Twenty/20 cricket champions yesterday at Arundel Castle after an exciting last over victory.

Their opponents Portsmouth Grammar were in trouble at 20-3 and 50-5 before a late recovery saw them reach 116 in 20 overs.

In reply, Steve Barnard top scored as Shrewsbury took advantage of several dropped catches from the usually safe-handed Portsmouth Grammar team to overhaul the total with four balls remaining.

After reaching the finals day for the third consecutive year, all but one of the Shrewsbury team will be eligible to defend the trophy next year.

Earlier in the semi finals, Portsmouth defeated Sedbergh School while Shrewsbury beat Wellington College.

The finals of the ESCA National Schools U15 Twenty/20 championships were taking place today, also at Arundel Castle.

7.9.11

Portsmouth Grammar surged into the final of the National Schools U18 Twenty/20 Cricket Championships today with a crushing six wicket victory over Sedbergh School at Arundel Castle.

Winning the toss in damp, overcast conditions and batting first, the Cumbrian side collapsed from 23-0 to 63 all out against some tight, accurate bowling.

Chris Stone (3-9) and Rob Gibson (2-11) did the main damage with the ball before the duo both hit useful 20s to see Portsmouth home in twelve overs.

Portsmouth Grammar will now meet Shrewsbury School in the final later today after Shrewsbury bowled Wellington College out for 112 before knocking off the runs off for the loss of four wickets.

6.9.11

Winchester’s Peter Symonds College certainly made a splash when they walked off with the National U21 Cronk-Cunis Rugby Union Festival Cup at their first attempt at Richmond Athletic Ground.

Chalking up the day’s biggest joint-winning margin in their opening 33-0 defeat of Abingdon, they then saw off St John’s, Leatherhead, 10-0, before overwhelming former champions Wellington College, 25-5, in the quarter-finals.

Perhaps their toughest match came in the semi-finals when they squeezed past Millfield 5-3 to set-up a thrilling final against Croydon’s Whitgift School who had not conceded a point in their previous matches up until then.

Whitgift had also knocked out the defending champions and winners for the past two years St Benedicts 5-0 in the quarter-finals.

But, while pushing Peter Symonds College all the way in the final, they eventually lost out 15-10 to the newcomers.

The Cronk-Cunis trophy was presented to Peter Symonds captain Zach Kinnaird by RFU president Willie Wildash.

He said: “This is the very age group that is so easily lost to the game and it is wonderful to see so many young rugby players enjoying the game, renewing old friendships and making new ones.”

The 32 competing teams involved almost 600 players involved in the Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield competitions and were won by schools that had never been outright winners before in any of the competition’s 15 year history.

The Plate Trophy went to Norwich School beating Brighton College 19-5, while Wimbledon College overwhelmed Clayesmore 36-3 to lift the Bowl and, in a tight Shield Final, Dulwich College just edged out Berkhamsted 7-5.

1.9.11

Stefan Sankala, a PE teacher at St Joseph’s Catholic High School in Newport, has won the National Teacher of the Year Award in Rugby League from the RFL.

Stefan was presented with his award at Wembley Stadium during the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final, the day after St Joseph’s year 8 U13 rugby league team, which Stefan coaches, were crowned national champions.

St Joseph's defeated Temple Moor High School of Leeds 38-28 in the year 8 national final at the Twickenham Stoop.

Stefan said: “I was on holiday when I received the confirmation that I had won. It was a bit of a shock and I was quite humbled by it.

“I played rugby league at student and academy level and introduced the sport into the curriculum at St Joseph’s in collaboration with Wales Rugby League.

“The school have successfully been playing the sport for about five years now. With it being on the curriculum everyone gets the opportunity to play rugby league and the students really enjoy it.

“We entered every age group in the Carnegie Champion Schools competition and we’ve learnt from every team we’ve played against. The next step for the development of the players is to get them playing for local rugby league teams as well.”

Mark Jones, national development manager for Wales Rugby League said: “On behalf of everyone at Wales Rugby League, I would like to sincerely congratulate Stefan and his team on their recent outstanding success in winning the Champion Schools at year 8 level.

“I would also like to congratulate him for winning the Wales Teacher of the Year Award and the National Teacher of the Year Award in Rugby League.

“I wasn’t surprised that the school won the title, as they have an exceptional squad which I have watched develop over the last two years.

“They are well deserved champions as their effort and commitment has been second to none and we wish them further success in the competition.

“Stefan’s personal achievement of winning the Teacher of the Year Award is also well deserved as they have been one of the leading schools in developing rugby league in Wales.

“I would like to thank Stefan for his continued commitment to Champion Schools and look forward to working with you and your school in future programmes.”

The National Teacher of the Year Award in Rugby League is awarded by the RFL on an annual basis to a teacher who has made an important contribution to the sport in the UK.

RFL national development manager Andy Harland said: “Stefan has done a terrific job with St Joseph’s and this is the first time since 2005 that a Welsh side have won the Carnegie Champion Schools tournament.

“On behalf of the RFL, I’d like to congratulate him on this achievement which capped a fantastic win for St Joseph’s in the year 8 final.”

30.8.11

Brooksbank were crowned year 7 U12 Carnegie Schools Rugby League Champions at Wembley as they defeated South Leeds Academy 20–16 in a thrilling curtain raiser to the Challenge Cup final.

Other national schools winners were St Joseph’s Catholic High School, Tredegar (U13 boys), Outwood Academy, Wakefield (U14 boys), Brooksbank (U15 boys), St Peter’s, Manchester (U12 girls), Castleford Academy (U13 girls), Hollingworth Business & Enterprise College, Rochdale (U14 girls) and Deanery School, Wigan/Settle College (U15 girls/shared).

(For a three page special with pictures on the finals, check out the new edition of School Sport Magazine, out on Monday September 12)

9.8.11

The finals of the national schools U18 Twenty/20 cricket competition have been rearranged for Wednesday September 7 at Arundel Castle in West Sussex.

Sedbergh School, from Cumbria, will play Portsmouth Grammar while Wellington College will take on Shewsbury School in the semi finals with the winners playing each other to establish the national champions.

The original finals day at Lords in July was abandoned after just nine balls because of rain.

27.7.11

St Peter’s School, York, won the National Schools U16 Rounders Championships for the first time while Grantham Prep School were crowned national U11 mixed champions.

(For full reports and pictures, check out the September edition of School Sport Magazine)

26.7.11

Essex side Churchfield Junior School bowled their way to the ASDA U11 Kwik Cricket national mixed title at Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

Meanwhile The Vale First and Middle School, from Sussex, were crowned ASDA U11 Kwik Cricket girls champions.

(For full reports and pictures, check out the September edition of School Sport Magazine)

19.7.11

Asda Kwik Cricket organisers have dozens of sports prizes left – and they want to give them away to primary schools.

Prizes include free Asda Kwik Cricket sets and 100 other cricket prizes for the whole team.

There is also an opportunity for your school team to appear at Trent Bridge during the interval of the England v India Test Match on July 29.

To win any of the above prizes, just set up a team at www.asda.com/kwikcricket and get eight people to join your online team.

Then email asdakwikcricket@havas-se.com to claim the prize, not forgetting to include what prize you’re after.

For more information go to http://www.asda-kwikcricket.co.uk/win_coaching.html

13.7.11

The final of the School Sport Magazine National U17 Cricket Cup will be an all-state school affair after Filton College, Bristol knocked out much-fancied Portsmouth Grammar yesterday.

Portsmouth, who lost off the last ball in the semi finals last year, were favourites to win after restricting the Bristol sixth form college to 162-8 in 40 overs.

But the south coast side buckled under some tight Filton bowling and finished four runs short on 158-9.

Filton will now face Huddersfield New College in the final at Cumnor Cricket Club in Oxfordshire on Wednesday September 14.

Huddersfield knocked out reigning champions Bedford School in the other semi final after chasing down 259 to win by three wickets.

13.7.11

The last week in August sees the final stages of rugby league’s biggest knock out competition the Carnegie Champion Schools tournament.

Open to every secondary school in England, Wales and Scotland – the Champion Schools tournament was re-launched back in 2002 when the RFL joined with the English Schools Rugby League.

Since then it has exploded and the competition has helped launch the careers of a whole host of Super League players including internationals Sam Tomkins, Joe Westerman and Richie Myler.

The Carnegie Champion Schools Finals will take place at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday August 26 with the exception of the year 7 Boys Final which is played at Wembley Stadium a day later as a curtain raiser ahead of the Challenge Cup Final.

As national competitions manager for the community game, Andy Harland has witnessed first hand the incredible growth of the competition.

He said: “When the RFL took control of it, in partnership with English Schools Rugby League, it just raised the profile and the whole thing rocketed.

“In the first year of the partnership we went down to Wales to the Millennium Stadium, which was a big thing for us. Finals have been played at the Millennium Stadium, Twickenham and Wembley over the last nine years.

“The big one is year 7, where the winners get to play at Wembley, which is phenomenal and it does have a profound effect on the kids. I’ve been involved in the curtain raiser for the last 25 years. The standard and quality has improved immensely over that time.

“The competition is well funded by the RFL and sponsors Carnegie. Our officers go out there nationally and sell the concept, which has been the big plus. The school organisations also help us to do that.

“The schools and teachers really buy into it and what you have to remember is the finals take place during the school holidays.”

Girl’s teams have only been taking part for the last six years but the growth of their participation has been phenomenal and it’s already seen Emily Rudge progress from playing in the finals through to the last World Cup in Australia.

Rugby League has seen an immense growth in schools over the last few years and this is crucial for the development and future of the sport.

Carnegie Champion Schools plays a vital role in introducing the game to an ever increasing number of young people throughout the United Kingdom.

In the early days it involved a few hundred teams from the Rugby League heartlands. Now this year’s tournament has seen a total of 1,678 teams take part, an increase of 175 from the previous year. Overall 27,537 students took to the field which is up by 2,911 from 2010 and a staggering growth of 22,369 since 2002.

Carnegie Champion Schools Finals at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday August 26 are:

Girls year 7 - Castleford Academy v St Peters (Manchester) (11.15am)
Girls year 8 - Castleford Academy v Settle Middle (12.15pm)
Boys year 8 - St Josephs (Wales) v Temple Moor (Leeds) (1.10pm)
Girls year 9 - Castleford Academy v Hollingworth (Rochdale) (2.15pm)
Boys year 9 - Outwood Academy (Wakefield) v Priesthorpe High (Leeds) (3.10pm)
Girls year 10 - Deanery (Wigan) v Settle College (North Yorkshire) (4.25pm)
Boys year 10 - Sirius Academy (Hull) v Brooksbank (Calderdale) (5.20pm)

The Carnegie Champions Schools Boys year 7 final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday August 27 will feature South Leeds v Brooksbank (Calderdale)

12.7.11

Four Midlands schools will have a rare opportunity to play on The Close at Rugby School, the birthplace of rugby, next Wednesday July 13.

Ashperton Primary School from Ledbury, Stafford Preparatory School, Aysoucghfee Hall School from Spalding and Edwalton Primary School from Nottinghamshire will be competing in the national finals of the RFU YAZOO Tag 2 Twickenham competition.

Ashperton qualified as winners of the West Midlands qualifying tournament with Stafford as runners-up. Aysoucghfee Hall won the East Midlands qualifying event where Edwalton Primary were runners-up.

YAZOO and the RFU work in partnership with the national police children’s charity, Child Victims of Crime (CVOC), an initiative to keep children safe which started Tag 2 Twickenham in 2002. The charity funds the training of over 600 police staff a year to coach YAZOO Tag Rugby in primary schools.

England wing Mark Cueto, the YAZOO Tag Rugby Ambassador and CVOC patron, said: “The Tag 2 Twickenham festivals always produce some great rugby skills and I’m sure there will have been some stars of the future on show.

“I’ve been involved with the programme for over four years and am proud to be a part of what is now the biggest tag rugby scheme in England.”

An added incentive for teams reaching Wednesday’s final is that the winning team and the runners up at Rugby School will have the chance to play against each other during the half-time interval of an RBS 6 Nations fixture at Twickenham in 2012.

In the last two years alone YAZOO, the RFU and CVOC have brought Tag Rugby to nearly two million children as well as donating balls, tag belts and other equipment to thousands of schools across the country.

The Tag 2 Twickenham rugby finals have been running for the past eight years and it is now one of the biggest primary school events of its kind in the country.

12.7.11

Four Midlands schools will have a rare opportunity to play on The Close at Rugby School, the birthplace of rugby, next Wednesday July 13.

Ashperton Primary School from Ledbury, Stafford Preparatory School, Aysoucghfee Hall School from Spalding and Edwalton Primary School from Nottinghamshire will be competing in the national finals of the RFU YAZOO Tag 2 Twickenham competition.

Ashperton qualified as winners of the West Midlands qualifying tournament with Stafford as runners-up. Aysoucghfee Hall won the East Midlands qualifying event where Edwalton Primary were runners-up.

YAZOO and the RFU work in partnership with the national police children’s charity, Child Victims of Crime (CVOC), an initiative to keep children safe which started Tag 2 Twickenham in 2002. The charity funds the training of over 600 police staff a year to coach YAZOO Tag Rugby in primary schools.

England wing Mark Cueto, the YAZOO Tag Rugby Ambassador and CVOC patron, said: “The Tag 2 Twickenham festivals always produce some great rugby skills and I’m sure there will have been some stars of the future on show.

“I’ve been involved with the programme for over four years and am proud to be a part of what is now the biggest tag rugby scheme in England.”

An added incentive for teams reaching Wednesday’s final is that the winning team and the runners up at Rugby School will have the chance to play against each other during the half-time interval of an RBS 6 Nations fixture at Twickenham in 2012.

In the last two years alone YAZOO, the RFU and CVOC have brought Tag Rugby to nearly two million children as well as donating balls, tag belts and other equipment to thousands of schools across the country.

The Tag 2 Twickenham rugby finals have been running for the past eight years and it is now one of the biggest primary school events of its kind in the country.

11.7.11

Hosts Queenswood School were crowned Aegon National Schools U18 girls tennis champions after defeating St George’s High School, Edinburgh 8-4 in the final.

Surrey school Reeds regained the national boys title after beating Bournemouth School 8-0.

(For full reports and pictures check out the September edition of School Sport Magazine).

11.7.11

Southend High School For Boys won the junior U13 title at the English Schools' Athletic Cup Final, finishing 42 points clear of second placed place Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate School, from London.

Essex neighbours FitzWimarc School foiled a double boys title for Southend by winning the intermediate U15 team title by 16 points.
Southend High School for Girls took the junior U13 cup by just three points from second placed Portsmouth Grammar School.

And the intermediate girls cup was won by Millfield School with Aylesbury High School 19 points behind in second place.

(For full reports and pictures check out the September edition of School Sport Magazine).

8.7.11

Today's National Schools U18 Twenty/20 finals at Lords Cricket Ground were abandoned after only nine balls.

Heavy rain forced the postponment with Sedbergh School, from Cumbria, 24-0 in the first semi final against Portsmouth Grammar School.

It is hoped the finals, which also involve Wellington College and Shrewsbury School will now be replayed in September at Eton College.

8.7.11

Portsmouth Grammar School were crowned National Schools U15 champions for the first time yesterday when they defeated Denstone College by eight runs.

1.7.11

Reigning champions Bedford School were sensationally knocked out of the School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup semi finals after a thrilling battle with Huddersfield New College.

The Yorkshire sixth form college were up against in as Bedford looked in imperious form in posting a daunting 259-7 in 40 overs.

But Ed Wilson (76) and Jacob Waterson (53no) top scored as Huddersfield chased down the large target in 38 overs to win by three wickets.

Huddersfield New College will now face the winners of Filton College, Bristol, and Portsmouth Grammar in the final on Wednesday September 14 at Cumnor Cricket Club in Oxfordshire.

King’s School, Grantham, ensured one state school would be making a rare welcome appearance in the national final of the ESCA David English U13 Bunbury Cup.

In difficult conditions, the talented Lincolnshire outfit totalled 147 against Yorkshire against north of England champions Ryburn Valley High School with Cousins (68) and Jordan Slack (30) top-scoring.

They then produced an outstanding spell of bowling to skittle Ryburn out for just 54 to win by 93 runs.

King’s School Grantham will now take on Surrey champions Whitgift in the final at Oakham School next Friday July 8.

In the national schools U18 Twenty/20 competition, three of the four finalists have now earned their place at Lords next Friday following some exciting quarter finals.

In the north section, Sedbergh School reached 123-8 then skittled Durham School out for just 43 with left arm quickie Grant Nicholson taking 5-11.

Portsmouth Grammar School, beaten only once in more than 20 school matches this season, battled past Hampton School by eight runs in the south east region after posting141 in their 20 overs.

They will be joined by Wellington College who overcame Millfield School to prevent the Somerset school reaching another national Twenty/20 finals day.

The final slot will be filled by the winners of a three-place play-off this Sunday between Shrewsbury School, Worksop College and Felsted School.

1.7.11

The top schools tennis teams from across Britain will gather at Queenswood School in Hertfordshire for the AEGON Team Tennis Schools National Championships Finals next week from Tuesday July 5 to Friday July 8.

In the boys competition, four-time defending champions Reed’s School are the top seeds and will be very confident of claiming the national title following their success at the ISSF World Schools Tennis Championships recently.

Such is the depth of player at Reed’s School that they have two teams competing at the national championships finals and the Reed’s School B team will prove difficult to beat for any team in the draw.

Looking to challenge Reed’s School A team for the title are number two seeds and local rivals Cheam High School.

Other strong contenders are Rivington & Blackrod High School from Lancashire and Millfield School from Somerset who are seeded three and four respectively.

Outside of the main contenders, their challenge could come in the form of last year’s runners up Bournemouth School who return to Queenswood with fond memories.

The girls competition is sure to produce some extremely close matches with five or six teams separated by very little on paper.

Tournament hosts Queenswood School are seeded number one and are looking to claim the title they last won in 2003.

Strong challengers will come in the form of number two seeds Talbot Heath School from Dorset who finished third in the 2010 finals and come back to Queenswood with the same team as last year.

Outside of the top two seeds, St. George’s High School from Edinburgh are very strong at the top of their line up and will prove to be a tough opponent for the top seeds.

Repton School, who came so close to winning the title in 2010, are back at the finals again and will be determined to go one better this year.

The national championships finals bring together four pre-seeded teams and twelve regional qualifiers who battle out for positions 1-16 in a compass draw, where all teams play a match on each of the four days.

The finals consist of both girls and boys competitions with a total of 32 teams taking to the court during the week.

Captains are allowed on court during matches which come together to provide a superb atmosphere for high quality, competitive team tennis.

28.6.11

Denstone College sealed their place in the final of the ESCA Lords Taverners U15 Cricket Trophy with an emphatic victory over King’s School, Chester.

The Staffordshire School were bowled out for 219 in 39.2 overs with Crump (72) and Raisbeck (46) providing the bulk of the runs.

King’s School, Chester, battled hard but never came close, eventually succumbing to 96 all out in 27 overs to lose by 123 runs.

Denstone will now take on 2008 finalists Portsmouth Grammar in the 2011 cliffhanger next Thursday July 7 at Oakham School.

Portsmouth Grammar enjoyed an equally convincing semi final win over Bradfield College by 124 runs.

Rocking at 48-4, Henry Farrant (83) and Joe Brown (75) were the fifth wicket heroes for Portsmouth as they produced a 152-run stand to finish on 211-8.

In reply, Bradfield were bowled out for 87 with Rory Prentice taking 3-21 to help his side to their second national U15 final in three years.

24.6.11

Filton College, Bristol, Huddersfield New College and Bedford School have sealed the final three places in the School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

And Filton College laid down a marker that they are a serious contender for the title with an emphatic 161 run quarter-final victory over Wexham School, from Slough.

Craig Miles and Sam Bracey both cracked centuries for the Bristol college as they set their Berkshire opponents a daunting target of 285-6.

Wexham, who had beaten the talented Truro College team in the previous round, were always up against it and succumbed to 124 all out with Harry Kitchen taking 4-21.

Filton College will now host Portsmouth Grammar in the semi final with the south coast side hoping to go one round better than last year.

It’ll be another state v independent battle in the other semi as Bedford School overcame local rivals Bedford Modern School by 102 runs.

Reigning champions Bedford totalled 188-8 in a reduced 30 over game before bowling Bedford Modern out for 86.

They will now travel to Huddersfield New College who defeated Wilmslow High School in a low-scoring match.

21.6.11

Portsmouth Grammar have become the first team to reach the semi finals of the School Sport Magazine National U17 Cricket Cup after a narrow victory over Shenfield High.

In a match reduced to 30 overs, the south coast side reached 140-7 in the face of some accurate bowling from their Essex opponents.

But Shenfield, who also reached the quarter finals last year, saw their hopes of making the semis dashed when they were bowled out for 128 to lose by just twelve runs.

Portsmouth Grammar will now travel to the winners of Filton College, Bristol, and Wexham School, Slough, in the last four.

In a vintage year for Portsmouth’s cricket team, their U15s also reached the semi finals of the Lords Taverners Trophy with a convincing 60-run victory over Bristol Grammar School.

The Hampshire champions posted a 193-9 in 40 overs then reduced Bristol to 133 all out to set up a last four tie against Bradfield College.

In a remarkable story, Bradfield made it through to the semi finals with their second bowl out victory of the competition to end the brave run of Sussex state school Warden Park.

In a rain-affected quarter final tie, the Sussex champions were put into bat and reached 50-2 in 15 overs before the heavens opened.

After a two-hour delay, it was decided to play a 20/20 game and this time Warden Park batted first again and reached 117 in 20 overs with Edward Coombs top scoring with 38.

Bearing in mind Warden Park had bowled out Tonbridge School, the Perse School and Dr Challoner’s Grammar for less than 100 in previous rounds, the target was going to be tough for Bradfield.

With a large boundary and slow outfield, the Berkshire champions hadn’t scored after two overs before the rain came again to wash out proceedings and set up an agonising bowl out.

And Bradfield, who beat Charterhouse by one run and St Alban’s School after a bowl out in previous rounds, kept their nerve again to win another bowl out – this time 5-0.

Warden’s coach James Gentry said afterwards: “The boys were distraught. We felt the best team didn’t go through but the team should be congratulated for a superb achievement over the last four years, in which they have only lost one actual game.”

20.6.11

Ellesmere College girls’ tennis team have qualified for the finals of the Aberdare Cup National Schools’ U18 Championships for the first time.

After winning county and regional competitions, Ellesmere beat Alcester Grammar to qualify as one of 16 teams for the finals next month.

The qualification caps a successful year for the Shropshire school’s tennis squad following the team being asked to represent Britain at the World Schools’ Championships in France at the beginning of term.

Captain Jo Bowen will join Hannah Clarke, Harriet Jones and Olivia Jones at Queenswood School in Hertfordshire on July 5 for the four-day event.

Nikki Hoy, director of Ellesmere College’s tennis academy, said: “This is a very exciting development for the school as it’s the first time since the launch of the academy that we have won the regional finals and have qualified for this prestigious national championship.”

17.6.11

Huddersfield New College and Bedford School have sealed the final two quarter final places in the School Sport Magazine National U17 Cricket Cup.

Huddersfield completed the double over the tough Lancashire Myerscough Colleges with a five wicket victory over Myerscough, Old Trafford.

The Lancashire college set a tough target of 198-6 but Hudersfield’s Walker (58) and Woodruff (41) chased it down to set up an away trip to Wilmslow High School.

Reigning champions Bedford School reached the last eight with a 125 run victory over King’s School, Ely.

Paddy McDuell (72) and Ed Wharton (61no) piled on the runs as Bedford reached 233-7 in a reduced 35 overs before King’s, Ely, were restricted to 108-8.

Bedford will now host their local independent rivals Bedford Modern School next week for a place in the semi finals.

In the other two quarter finals, Portsmouth Grammar will visit Shenfield High School in Essex while Filton College, Bristol will host Wexham School, from Slough.

The first semi final in the David English Bunbury U13 Cup will feature two of the bastions of the competition as Millfield take on Whitgift School.

Portsmouth Grammar School’s four-pronged attack on the national schools cricket competitions hit their first obstacle at the hands of Millfield in the south west regional Bunbury final.

Portsmouth’s batting succumbed to some strong Somerset bowling as the south coast side were knocked over for just 98.

Millfield enjoyed a few jitters before eventually booking their place in the semi final with a five wicket victory.

16.6.11

SS Peter and Paul RC Primary School from New Brighton and Windermere School both qualified for the finals of the RFU YAZOO Tag 2 Twickenham finals at Rugby School on July 13 when they reached the final of the north west regional tournament at the Armitage Centre in Manchester.

The event was attended by 31 schools from the north west and is one of the highlights of an on-going campaign by the RFU & YAZOO Primary School Programme, designed to encourage the nation’s children to participate in sport and pursue healthier lifestyles.

SS Peter and Paul claimed the north west trophy with a late score that brought them a two tries to one victory.

The third prize on offer - the Spirit of Rugby award - went to St Michael’s School from Trafford, who despite managing only a draw in their series of games, stayed on and gave their support to the two finalists.

The Manchester finalists have secured a place at the National Tag 2 Twickenham Final at the birth place of Rugby, Rugby School on July 13, when they will compete on The Close, the world-famous venue at which William Webb-Ellis is reputed to have picked the ball for the first time and in doing so created the game of rugby.

YAZOO and the RFU work in partnership with the national police children’s charity, Child Victims of Crime (CVOC), an initiative to keep children safe which started Tag 2 Twickenham in 2002.

The charity funds the training of over 600 police staff a year to coach YAZOO Tag Rugby in primary schools.

Current England international Mark Cueto, the YAZOO Tag Rugby Ambassador and CVOC patron said: “The Tag 2 Twickenham festivals always produce some great rugby skills and I’m sure there will have been some stars of the future on show.

“I’ve been involved with the programme for over four years and am proud to be a part of what is now the biggest tag rugby scheme in England.”

An added incentive for teams reaching the final is that the winning team and the runners up at Rugby School will have the chance to play against each other during the half-time interval of an RBS 6 Nations fixture at Twickenham in 2012.

In the last two years alone YAZOO, the RFU and CVOC have brought Tag Rugby to nearly two million children as well as donating balls, tag belts and other equipment to thousands of schools across the country.

The Tag 2 Twickenham rugby finals have been running for the past eight years and it is now one of the biggest primary school events of its kind in the country.

14.6.11

Filton College have laid down the gauntlet in the School Sport Magazine National U17 Cricket Cup with an emphatic last sixteen victory over Downside School, from Bath.

Will Golding hit an unbeaten 80 while Sam Bracey scored 51 at the Bristol college wracked up 242-3 in their 40 overs.

Ryan Adams then produced a superb six over spell of bowling to take five wickets for just six runs as Downside were dismissed for just 59.

Filton College will now host Wexham School, from Slough in Berkshire, in the south west quarter final.

Wexham overcame the odds to defeat much-fancied Truro College in a tight tie by three wickets.

The Cornwall school hit 188-9 with Higgins top-scoring with 56 and Khawar taking three wickets.

But Wexham kept their nerve, thanks to an unbeaten 43 from Raza, to reach their target seven wickets down.

Warden Park School, the only state school left in the ESCA Lords Taverners U15 Trophy, have reached the heady heights of the quarter finals after overcoming Dr Challoner’s Grammar School.

In another superb bowling display that has already seen them dismiss Tonbridge School and Cambridge champions the Perse School cheaply, the Sussex school bowled Dr Challoner’s out for 91.

Sam Palsar took three wickets including one off the first ball of the game while Zakief Zarfar snared four wickets in seven overs.

Captain Edward Coombs scored 34 and Palsar 32 as Warden Park chased down the target in 30 to set up a quarter final tie against Bradfield College.

Denstone College (145-7) became the first school into the Lords Taverners semi finals as they beat Norwich School (143 all out) by three wickets.

10.6.11

Sky Sports Living for Sport has launched the Student of the Year Awards 2011 and invites nominations from secondary school teachers across the UK.

The Student of the Year Awards 2011 celebrate the successful way secondary schools are using sport to inspire young people, thanks to their involvement in Sky Sports Living for Sport.

This year a new award has been created to recognise the teacher who has gone the extra mile in helping their students take part in this valuable initiative.

All students and teachers who have participated in or run a Sky Sports Living for Sport project this academic year are eligible for nomination.

Sky Sports Living for Sport (www.skysports.com/livingforsport), delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, is helping teachers across the UK encourage pupils to get more involved in activities and benefit from trying new sports.

The awards offer schools across the UK, who have registered and delivered a Sky Sports Living for Sport project, the chance to share the impact it has had on pupils and celebrate the journey on which they have been.

Working towards measurable self-development goals, across areas such as health, behaviour and achievement, schools have been creating flexible activity projects, including a diverse range of sports from football to fencing, basketball to boccia.

As a result, pupils have been testing and developing a wide range of life-skills such as teamwork, communication, discipline and focus.

Olympic gold medal winning sprinter and Sky Sports Living for Sport Ambassador, Darren Campbell, will lead the judging panel once more to help decide the twelve regional finalists who will be invited to the UK Awards ceremony to be held at a major sporting venue next January 2012 where an overall UK winner will be crowned.

Darren said: “Sport helps people think, helps people listen, helps people to speak up and helps people work together. Different sports inspire different people but one thing is true; there is a sport for everyone and it can change your life.

“Going into schools, I’ve seen for myself how much of an impact Sky Sports Living for Sport is having. It’s incredible to watch how students’ attitudes can shift through a single session and how belief in themselves and their abilities can be transformed.

“I am particularly delighted that this year the teachers will also be rewarded. Without sport, and the encouragement of teachers who saw how it was helping me to develop focus and self-belief, I could have very easily chosen a very different path in life.”

He adds: “It means a lot to me to be leading the judging panel, but with over a thousand schools registered for the initiative, and every single one involved deserving recognition, it isn’t going to be easy to whittle it down to twelve regional winners and one UK winner.”

Bob Foley, head of PE at Newbattle High School where last year’s student of the year Conor Fitzpatrick is registered, said: “Newbattle High school felt honoured to be chosen from such superb candidates, as any could have won.

“Be assured that many of our children will benefit from the cash prize. Through Sky Sports Living for Sport our pupils are happier and more secure in who they are and what they can achieve and this really shows, in so many ways.

“The transformation in every aspect of Conor’s life has just been remarkable. We are all so proud of what he’s achieved.”

The regional winners will each receive a £50 sports voucher, a year’s free Sky Sports subscription, a trophy and certificate, as well as the chance to be interviewed by a Sky Sports film crew.

The school will also secure an extra visit from an Athlete Mentor and £500 towards their school’s next Sky Sports Living for Sport project. The student and the teacher will be invited to the UK ceremony in January next year.

The UK Winner will receive a £100 sports voucher. The school will also secure an extra visit from an Athlete Mentor and £2000 towards their school’s next Sky Sports Living for Sport projects.

The Teacher of the Year and the first and second runner ups will also win £2000, £1000 and £500 respectively towards their school’s next project. In addition, all three Teacher of the Year finalists will each receive a year’s free Sky Sports subscription, a trophy and certificate.

To nominate students, all teachers need to do is go to www.skysports.com/livingforsport and download the application form.

The closing date is 15 July 2011 and the successful finalists will be nominated during the first week of the Autumn term 2011.

Schools not yet registered or completed their planning for Sky Sports Living for Sport still have time to do so via www.skysports.com/livingforsport

9.6.11

Bedford Modern and Portsmouth Grammar have become the first two teams to reach the quarter finals of the School Sport Magazine National U17 Cricket Cup.

Portsmouth Grammar wracked up 242-6 in 40 overs against St Benedict’s School, Ealing before Leo Patterson snared six wickets as St Benedict’s were bowled out for 73.

Portsmouth now travel to the winners of Forest School and Shenfield High School in the last eight.

Bedford Modern School set up a possible all-Bedford quarter final after getting the better of St Joseph’s College, Ipswich in a tight game.

St Joseph’s totalled 143-5 before Bedford lost eight wickets in overcoming the target.

Bedford Modern will now travel to the winners of Bedford School and King’s School, Ely in the quarter finals.

8.6.11

A new £65,000 sports pitch is being opened at Selside Endowed Church of England School, Selside, Kendal, on Friday June 10.

New Zealand cricket international Jamie Howe will perform the honours at the opening ceremony in front of staff, pupils and local VIPs.

The new pitch, funded with the help of a £20,000 grant from the Football Foundation, will allow Selside School to provide a range of sporting opportunities to pupils at the school and the wider community.

Caronne Field, headteacher at Selside, said: “We are thrilled with our new sports pitch and the increased opportunities it will bring to the school and our community. We are extremely grateful to the Football Foundation for their support.”

7.6.11

Sixty primary schools will take part in the 2011 Plymouth Primary Mixed Hockey Festival on Thursday and Friday this week.

Teams will not only compete against each other, but also receive coaching and test their skill out in a skills challenge competition at University College Plymouth St Marjon & St John (UCP Marjon).

The event aims to inspire young players to join a club with the opportunity to attend club based development centres for four weeks after the festival across the city.

It has also been granted the Inspire Mark - the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme which recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Seb Coe, chair of the London Games Organising Committee, said: “Plymouth’s Primary Mixed Hockey Festival is encouraging hockey players from primary schools and young officials to fulfil their potential.

Jamie Oxley, UCP Marjon Relays Coordinator, added: “The event has inspired thousands of youngsters over the years and this year is even more special marking our anniversary in the build up to the London Games.”

Through the RELAYS community classrooms project UCP Marjon work with students from across the city to develop their coaching and leadership skills to provide sporting opportunities for all.

In addition, the event will see a team over 50 young leaders from schools and higher education students working together to deliver the event involving nearly 600 pupils.

7.6.11

The Fareham Primary School Games on June 28 and 29 is set to be the biggest event to date.

First established in 2009 as a one day event for year 5 and 6 pupils across the 22 primary/junior schools in Fareham, this year’s games is expected to attract more than 900 pupils.

The mass participation event, organised by the Fareham School Sport Partnership, will feature tag rugby, hockey, netball and athletics.

Games co-ordinator Kathryn Holland said: “Our main aim is to engage young people in sport through fun competitive formats and promote a healthy lifestyle.

“This year we have incorporated the Olympic values in all the events to promote the biggest sporting event this country will see – London 2012.”

Newest event to the Fareham Games is the Inclusive Festival, where pupils will be able to experience wheelchair basketball, Boccia and New Age Kurling.

3.6.11

Lauren Stallwood ran in an incredible six tries as Settle College made up for last year’s loss to Castleford High School with a convincing 40-12 victory in the Carnegie Champion Schools U16 girls rugby league final.

Two tries from Stallwood gave Settle a 16-6 lead at half time but the scoreline gave no hint of the carnage to come.

Player of the match Stallwood scored four more tries after the break, two in the last ten minutes, as Settle built up an unassailable lead.

And not even two tries and two conversions from Castleford’s AJ O’Neil, who scored all her team’s twelve points, could prevent Settle making up for last year’s U15 final loss.

In the U16 boys cup final, Yorkshire’s Honley High School secured a battle of the roses victory against Wigan’s St Edmund Arrowsmith School.

Honley took a 14-0 lead at half time with scores from Cameron Haigh and George King only for Joe Collins and Callum O’Connor to reduce the deficit to 14-10.

Corey Hall increased the advantage to 20-12 but the turning point occurred when St Edmund Arrowsmith’s captain Collins was sent off for dissent following a disallowed try.

Hall scored his second of the game with two minutes remaining to seal the victory while King was named player of the match after scoring 12 points.

This year’s tournament has seen a total of 1,678 teams take part, an increase of 175 from the previous year. Other Carnegie Champion Schools finals will take place on August 26-27.

2.6.11

Dorset based Rockley Watersports will be hosting this year’s Poole School Sports Partnership Onboard Festival for the third year running next week from Monday June 6–10 at Poole Park.

Six hundred children from eight different schools in the Poole area will get the opportunity to have a go at, or to develop their sailing, windsurfing and kayak skills.

Organised by Rockley Watersports in conjunction with the Royal Yachting Association’s OnBoard scheme, development officer for Poole Sam Ross said: “This is the biggest OnBoard event in the whole country and it’s wonderful to see so many children being given the opportunity to have fun on the water, a number of them for the first time.”

With the 2012 Olympic Games on everyone’s mind, this year’s festival will focus on the Olympic theme with the aim of encouraging the children to display Olympic values of respect, friendship, excellence, courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

Deborah Wheatley, school sport co-ordinator for Poole said: “We are incredibly excited about this year’s event. Each year it just gets bigger and better.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for youngsters in the area to get on the water and with the Olympics coming up there is a real buzz about sailing”

Each morning 60 children from years 3 and 4 will take part in a morning session of either sailing, windsurfing or kayaking while a further 60 children from years 5 and 6 will enjoy an afternoon session of activities.

Throughout the week numerous prizes will be given out while after the event the children will do some follow up projects back at school based on their experience.

The event has proven to have a real positive effect on both schools and individuals.

St Mary’s School, who participated in the festival in 2009 when it was first set up, saw the event as a great opportunity to make sailing accessible to their children and as a result now organise their very own activity week at Poole Park with Rockley, bringing approximately 300 children.

This year’s event will again be supported by LaserPerformance who are providing 20 Bug dinghies for the week and will be giving away some on-the-spot prizes.

27.5.11

Defending champions Bedford School defeated Hitchin Boys School to reach the School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup third round.

Hitchin posted a competitive target of 166 but an excellent partnership from Wharton (78no) and Jones (58no) saw Bedford home by eight wickets. Bedford will now host King’s School, Ely in the third round.

26.5.11

Dove House School from Hampshire edged past Two Rivers School from Tamworth in the RFU’s second RUAble National Tag Rugby Finals at Stoke Mandeville near Aylesbury.

Two Rivers were edged out agonisingly on tries scored as the points were even after each team had played ten games.

Six teams, consisting of key stage 3 and 4 pupils, took part in the finals which were the showpiece event for the English Federation of Disability Sport’s (EFDS) three-day Festival of Sport for young disabled people.

The competition for the right to be the National Moderate Learning Difficulty (MLD) tag rugby champions for 2011, played over the course of morning and afternoon leagues, was both fierce and sportsmanlike.

The schools qualified for the finals day having progressed from regional qualifying festivals.
Other regions were represented by Rigby Hall School from Bromsgrove, Ellesmere College from Leicester and Glebe School from Bromley.

Non- competing disabled athletes had the opportunity to watch the tag rugby as well as experience taster sessions the day before. The RFU also set up the tackle and lineout fun inflatables for all to have a go.

The Spirit of Rugby award for fairplay and sportsmanship went to Stainburn School based in Workington.

London Wasps and England fly-half Dave Walder presented the trophies and mixed with the players and coaches.

Garry Hyndman, EFDS event manager, said: “We are delighted to have had the RUAble tag finals as the showcase event during our inaugural three day Festival of Sport.

“We worked well with the RFU who put on an excellent tournament. It helped greatly in showing disabled athletes another opportunity to be active. I watched part of the finals and they a testament to the commitment of the young people taking part and their enthusiasm for the sport. We look forward to welcoming the RFU back in 2012.”

Chris Hargreaves, the RFU’s national MLD tag finals co-ordinator and Worcestershire’s community rugby coach, said: “Tag rugby is a game that everyone can play, and this festival is part of our much broader programme aimed at giving young disabled people the opportunity to play and get involved in our sport on a long-term basis.

“The finals, and the regional feeder festivals, demonstrate what is possible when there is the chance to get involved and enjoy the game, whatever your disability.”

25.5.11

Myerscough College, Preston, runners-up in last year’s School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup, have been knocked out of this year’s competition in the second round.

They were bowled out for just 81 by Yorkshire neighbours Huddersfield New College who knocked off the target for the loss of just four wickets.

Huddersfield will now host another Myerscough in round three – Myerscough College, Old Trafford.

In the ESCA Lords Taverners U15 Cricket Trophy, Bedford School were playing Staffordshire champions Denstone College today in the third round after thrashing Warwick School by ten wickets in round two.

20.5.11

King's School Ely have reached the third round of the School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup with a 101 run victory against Hill’s Road Sixth Form College.

Aniskowicz (96) and Jones (60) blasted the Hills’s Road bowling as the Cambridge school reached a formidable 265-6.

Then Sarathchandra (4-29) helped bowl Hill’s Road out for 164 to set up a third round trip to either reigning champions Bedford School or Hitchin Boys School.

In the south east region, the battle of the London schools saw Forest School (126-9) overcome Westminster School (115-7) by eleven runs to earn a third round home tie against Shenfield High School.

19.5.11

Hartpury College drove their way to victory in the national finals of the British Schools and Colleges golf league at London’s Shire Golf Club.

The Gloucester team finished with a gross score of 290 gross for their best four players from the six man to beat the Lee Westwood Golf School side based at Leeds City College in second on 293.

Moulton College won the nett trophy with 284 on countback from Leeds City College at the testing course, the only Seve Ballesteros course in the UK.

In the individual competition, the boys’ national players championship had qualifiers from nine UK regions.

Matt Richards (Truro) won with a new junior course record of one under par 71 while second place went to 14-year-old George Mullins (Whitgift) (73) on countback from James Ashman (Worthing).

17.5.11

England’s Steven Finn and England women’s Danielle Wyatt paid a visit to Cassiobury Junior School in Watford to launch the 2011 ASDA Kwik cricket competition.

Finn, a former pupil at Cassiobury, joined children in an ASDA Kwik Cricket session as they prepared for both the mixed and girls’ competition for primary school children.

2011 will see more than 12,000 teams from 9,000 primary schools across the country play in regional and country rounds of the competition, with winners progressing to national finals at The County Ground, Derbyshire on July 19 and 20.

Steven Finn said: “It was good to come back to Cassiobury and meet the children who will be taking part in the Kwik Cricket competition this year.

“It’s fantastic to see so many boys and girls excited about playing cricket, I hope they are inspired and this is the start of a life long involvement in cricket for them.”

Danielle Wyatt said: “I remember playing Kwik cricket at school so it’s great to see so many children are enjoying playing it too.

“The Kwik cricket competition is now bigger than ever and the fact that so many children can get involved and be introduced to the game is fantastic.

“I wish all the schools involved in the competition the best of luck, and hope many of the children continue to participate in cricket as they move up to secondary school.”

ASDA Kwik Cricket is the largest primary schools competition for any sport in the UK and with fundamental sport skills as a key element, it is designed to suit the needs of the national curriculum.

ASDA Kwik Cricket acts as a fantastic introduction to the game for and aims to inspire youngsters to participate and follow cricket later in life.

17.5.11

Liverpool College became the first holders of the Independent Schools Football Association’s U16 Shield when they defeated Chilton Cantelo 2-0 in the inaugural national final.

Open to independent schools with fewer than 55 boys in year 11, Liverpool opened the scoring after half an hour when player of the tournament Ng curled a corner directly into the roof of the net.

With ten minutes remaining, Liverpool College extended their lead with a stunning strike from substitute McCourt who fired home from 35 yards.

16.5.11

Eighty of London’s most talented young table tennis players will compete for the prestigious Jack Petchey Foundation London Schools’ title at Redbridge Leisure Centre on Saturday July 2.

Boys and girls will represent their school in the U11, U13, U16 and U19 age groups by playing a round robin before entering a playoff stage.

This year’s championships began in February, in the first of the regional qualifiers, and involved more 500 young players.

The programme, sponsored by the Jack Petchey Foundation, has been developed by the English Table Tennis Association in conjunction with the English Schools’ Table Tennis Association to increase participation and awareness of table tennis in London schools and the wider community.

The project involves a table tennis donation scheme where each of the 77 Change4Life table tennis schools in London will receive two free table tennis tables.

Harry Peacock, project officer for the English Table Tennis Association, said: “We are eagerly anticipating the finals and are confident they will be a fantastic showcase of young talent in London.”

16.5.11

Bradfield College and Charterhouse served up one of the most exciting games to date with Bradfield triumphing by just one run in the ESCA Lords Taverners U15 Cricket Trophy.

Elsewhere Will Sobszak’s five wicket haul for Millfield reduced Devon champions Blundell’s School to 117 all out before the Somerset champions ran out six wicket winners.

The brothers Marston both starred as Portsmouth Grammar dispatched Ryde School by 240 runs.

First brother Jack fired an unbeaten 132 not out as PGS hit 328-2 then brother Andy took 6-13 to skittle Ryde out for 88.

Staffordshire champions Denstone College reached 189-7 in 35 overs thanks to Hannon (44) and Hosein (40) against Shrewsbury School, who were bowled out for 121 (Crump 3-28).

Repton School (225-5) overcame Yorkshire state school Richmond (138 all out) by 87 runs.

But there was better news for Durham state school St Thomas More School (94-4), who upset the odds by beating RGS Newcastle (93 all out) by six wickets thanks to a near 50 run partnership between Liam Clarke and Kieran Platford.

Elsewhere Sedbergh School beat Bolton School and RGS Worcester defeated Hereford Cathedral School.

In the ESCA David English Bunbury U13 Cup, Chris Sanders took 4-10 as Sedbergh Junior School bowled out Durham Johnston for 48 to win by 46 runs in a low scoring game.

Elsewhere Abingdon School beat King Edward’s, Stratford, Thomas Telford School defeated Hereford Cathedral School, Rednock School overcame Ridings School and Portsmouth Grammar enjoyed a walkover against Mayfield Middle School, from the Isle of Wight.

There were wins also for Kings School, Worcester over Wolverhampton Grammar, Hitchin Boys School against Brentwood, RGS High Wycombe over Thomas Deacon Academy, from Huntington, Millfield against Bournemouth School and Leicester Grammar over Ecclesbourne School.

Whitgift became one of the first schools into round three as they overcame Reading Blue Coat School.

In the national U18 Twenty/20 championships, Bedford School defeated Bedford Modern School by nine wickets to reach the next round.

12.5.11

Ellesmere College girls’ tennis team have been selected to represent England in the World Schools Tennis Championships in France later this month.

Their selection follows the success enjoyed by the school’s first team girls in the Aegon British National Schools’ Tennis Championships earlier this year.

The six girls - Jo Bowen, Hannah Clarke, Emily Sutcliffe, Olivia Jones, Harriet Jones and Catriona Jones – have been given special permission from the examining bodies to take their public exams while taking part in the competition.

Playing against teams including China, France and Turkey, Ellesmere tennis director Nikki Hoy said: “The six girls are a formidable team who, besides enjoying playing together, are all competitive.

“Their combined desire to win is formidable and shapes their every move on court. We wish them well as they compete against other international teams.”

12.5.11

Portsmouth Grammar School reached the third round of the School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup after a comprehensive victory against Reigate Grammar.

Joe Collings-Wells (126) and Robert Gibson (125no) shared a 197 run partnership as PGS reached 304-2 before James Hammond and Craig Winfield took three wickets each to bowl Reigate out for 138.

Portsmouth Grammar will now host the winners of St Benedict’s School, Ealing or Alleyn’s School.

Elsewhere Bedford Modern School (173-6) set up a third round home tie with St Joseph’s College, Ipswich after overcoming Moulton College, Northamptonshire (128 all out) by 45 runs.

And in the National Schools Twenty/20 U18 Championships, the first round robin group matches have almost been completed.

Teams to win through so far include Dulwich, Oundle, Felsted, Abingdon, Hampton, Colfe’s, Stowe, RGS Worcester, Sedbergh, Bolton, King’s Macclesfield, King’s Chester and Portsmouth Grammar.

11.5.11

A group of pupils from Range High School in Formby enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime in front of an audience of 64,000 at Twickenham before the annual Army v Navy game.

Following their victory in the North West Emerging Schools Advanced Tag Rugby tournament, the year 7 and 8 girls were invited to play against South West Champions Pool Academy in the National Girls' Rugby Showcase at half-time during the Babcock Trophy match.

Before the game, the girls had a coaching session led by England's Rocky Clark, Cat Merchant and La Toya Mason and a tour of the National Rugby Museum.

9.5.11

Queen Elizabeth High School, Gainsborough, reached the second round of the School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup after a 40-run victory against Wymondham College.

QEHS made 185-6 in 40 overs then bowled out their Norfolk rivals for 145 to set up a trip to St Joseph’s College, Ipswich in round two.

In the National Schools Twenty/20 Championships, Portsmouth Grammar School are one step away from Lords after an impressive double victory at Tonbridge School yesterday.

In their first match against King’s School, Canterbury, Chris Stone top scored with 64, helped by Joe Collings-Wells (34), Jacob George (26) and Rob Gibson 22no, as PGS totalled 170-3 in their 20 overs.

Early wickets blunted King’s reply as Clark Harding (3-19) and Stone (3-10) restricted the Kent School to 88 all out – helped by an incredible six outfield catches from Cameron Prentice – five at mid off and one at mid on.

In the south east final against hosts Tonbridge, Stone again led from the front against an impressive four-pronged spin attack.

Building his innings comfortably, the talented batsman cut lose in the final overs with an array of sixes before being run out for 97 as Portsmouth amassed 154-6.

In reply, talented Kent all-rounder Fabian Cowdrey hit three fours of the first three balls as Tonbridge smashed 63 off the first five overs.

But when he was out for 58 off just 22 balls, wickets started to tumble as spinners Gibson (3-15) and Stone (2-16) helped bowl Tonbridge out for 138 in the last over.

Portsmouth Grammar will now meet the winners of the South London region for a place in the four-team final at Lords on Friday July 8.

In the ESCA David English Bunbury U13 Cup, Manchester Grammar School comfortably defeated King’s School, Chester by nine wickets.

MGS restricted King’s to 123-6 in their 35 overs before captain Josh Dooler made an impressive 69 not out in reply.

6.5.11

Phil Coleman snared a five wicket haul as Shenfield High School beat New Hall School by 31 runs in the first round of the School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

Coleman took five wickets from just five overs for 18 runs as New Hall were bowled out for 107 in the battle of the Essex schools.

Earlier Jake Kavanagh top scored for Shenfield with 40 in their total of 138-7 to set up a second round tie against either Kent College, Canterbury or St Joseph Williamson Mathematics School.

Centurion Jake Salmon put in a man of the match performance to help Warwick School into the second round of the ESCA Lords Taverners National U15 Cricket Trophy.

Salmon smashed 121 while Tom Howard waded in with an unbeaten 60 as Warwick reached 257-7 against Manor School Sports College, from Northamptonshire.

Max Jeffs then took 3-27 as Warwick bowled Manor School out for 114 to set up a home tie against Bedford School in round two.

5.5.11

Filton College eased into the second round of the School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup with a 251 run victory over Amman Valley School.

Unbeaten centuries from Tavernor (115no) and Golding (113no) helped the Bristol school reach 322-3 in 40 overs.

Then a five-wicket haul from Wenham and three wickets from Gibbs bowled their Welsh opponents out for 71.

Wexham School set up a second round trip to Canford School in Dorset after a seven-wicket first round victory.

Their opponents Slough & Eton School were restricted to 148-9 with Uddin top-scoring with 47 before Karan (51) and Ali (49) knocked the runs off in 25 overs.

A superb century from Sam Webb-Snowling couldn’t save Ipswich School from defeat in the first round of the ESCA Lords Taverners National U15 Cricket Trophy.

The Ipswich batsman smashed 122 as the Suffolk champions amassed 206-9 in 40 overs against the Perse School.

But an unbeaten 96 from Turbeville helped the Cambridgeshire champions reach their target in 34 overs for the lost of six wickets.

The Perse School will now host Warden Park School, from Sussex, in round two.

4.5.11

Sussex state school Warden Park beat Kent champions Tonbridge to reach the second round of the ESCA Lords Taverners National U15 Cricket Trophy.

The Uckfield school bowled Tonbridge out for just 64 in 20 overs before knocking the runs off for the loss of five wickets.

Warden Park will now travel to the winners of Suffolk champions Ipswich School or Cambridgeshire champions Perse School in round two.

Portsmouth Grammar will meet Marlborough College in round two after disposing of Ryde School by 240 runs.

Jack Marston hit an unbeaten 132 while Sam Collings-Wells scored 90 as Portsmouth wracked up a massive 328-2. Brother Andy Marston then took 6-13 as Ryde were skittled out for just 99.

Harrow School recovered from 10-2 to post 180-7 and beat Colfe’s School by 87 runs.

Harrow were indebted to Sacha de Gentile-Williams (49no), Freddie Ruffell (44) and Robbie White (41) for leading the recovering despite 4-58 from Furze.

Furze then top scored with 31 for Colfe’s but they couldn’t cope with Jamie Grist (3-13) or Dhiren de Silva (3-21) and were bowled out for 93.

Harrow will now host either Dr Challoner’s School or Burford School in round two.

3.5.11

Debutants Windsor Boys School became the first team to reach the second round of the School Sport Magazine National U17 Cricket Cup when they overcame Gloucester’s Crypt School.

Upton (71) and Wykes (48) helped the Berkshire side reach 230-4 in 40 overs before Ahmed (3-34) restricted the Crypt School to 154 all out.

Windsor Boys School now face a trip to fellow first-timers Downside School in Bath in round two.

3.5.11

Musselburgh school Loretto took the honours at the final of the Independent Schools Matchplay Golf Championships at Lingfield Park.

The Scottish team finished ahead of second-placed Millfield B and Sheffield’s Birkdale School in third.

On a windy day which hampered low scoring, Hampton School and Reeds finished joint fourth.

Birkdale’s James Gregg took the individual title after rounds of 75 and 80 to win a Galvin Green waterproof and a signed book from leading coach Butch Harmon.

One hundred and twenty five schools took part in the competition with fifteen qualifying for the final in Surrey.

2.5.11

Portsmouth Grammar School reached the next round of the National Schools Twenty20 Championships with two victories at Reigate Grammar School yesterday.

First Portsmouth beat hosts Reigate after notching up a daunting first innings total of 170 then they overcame Reeds School by 23 runs.

The south coast side will now travel to Tonbridge School next Sunday to meet three other group winners.

19.4.11

Young beach volleyball players from schools across the country have the chance to dig and spike their way to victory this May by taking part in the National Schools Championships.

Taking place on Thursday May 12, the championships will be held on Boscombe Beach, Bournemouth and will be open to any schools with male and female players between the ages of 14 and 15.

This is the first year the championships are being held and the winning school’s team will receive an invitation to represent England in the International School Sport Federation (ISF) World Schools Beach Volleyball Championships, held in Puerto Rico.

Hosted in conjunction with SportBU and Wessex Volleyball Club and supported by Bournemouth Council, the championships are set to be an annual event.

Lisa Wainwright, chief executive of Volleyball England says: “At Volleyball England we are very excited about the prospect of seeing our junior beach volleyball players compete on the world stage. The opportunity to play in Puerto Rico is enough to make any coach smile.

“This will be the first time that England has entered the ISF World Schools Championships and the qualifying event has generated a lot of interest.

“Hopefully, the hard work of Andy Jones from SportBU and Wessex Volleyball Club will pay off and we will enjoy an excellent day of junior beach volleyball on a sunny Boscombe Beach in May.”

Applications for the tournament are now open and teams must register before Friday May 6. To enter and for more information visit www.volleyballengland.org

18.4.11

Around 250 aspiring sports leaders, coaches and officials will be heading to Loughborough University today to take part in a four-day training camp with the leading charity the Youth Sport Trust.

Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell, wheelchair tennis player Jayant Mistry and Premier League football referee Chris Foy will join the teenagers at the Step into Sport Camp to help prepare them for a future career in sport.

The 16-19 year olds from all over the country will have their skills tested in team-building, leadership, communication and event management workshops.

They will also be able to achieve an accreditation in one of twelve national governing bodies, including volleyball, football and wheelchair basketball.

Darren, who is a sporting ambassador for the Youth Sport Trust, said: “Sport is not just about winning medals. It’s vital that we do all we can to nurture the talents of the nation’s youngsters and help them develop their skills as leaders, coaches, volunteers, officials and managers.

“The Step into Sport Camp provides the next generation of sport’s unsung heroes with a hugely positive and fulfilling experience as they embark on their future careers.”

Other elite sports stars at the Step into Sport Camp who will lead some of the various sessions are former women’s world number one Thai boxer Rachael MacKenzie, England women’s rugby union international Katy Storie, Great Britain boxer Hannah Beharry, South African rugby international Thinus Delport and Great Britain wheelchair rugby player Steve Brown.

Baroness Sue Campbell, chair of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “We are thrilled to have such a fantastic array of world class athletes working with us to help develop the sports leaders of the future.

“Each athlete can bring the inspiration of their own journey and talk about the highs and lows they faced along the way.

“The Youth Sport Trust is committed to providing opportunities for young people, through sport, to be the very best they can be.

“This year’s Step into Sport Camp is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the youngsters to develop their skills and I’m sure it will stay with them for a long time.”

The young people attending the Step into Sport Camp have been selected from the nine regions which are piloting the county/regional competition of the new School Games - Greater Manchester, North Yorkshire, West Midlands, Tyne and Wear, Cornwall, Lincolnshire, Kent, Hertfordshire and London.

They will be joined in Loughborough later in the week by the committee members responsible for organising competitions in each of the nine regions who will work with the young leaders and plan how they can then take on meaningful workforce roles back in their schools and local communities to support competition for all.

14.4.11

Hartpury College will tackle Oaklands College in the second AASE rugby union league final at Twickenham on April 27.

Hartpury, last season’s inaugural winners, boasted current England U20 regulars Ryan Mills and Dan Robson in their ranks and finished undefeated in the North group.

The Gloucester side saw off the challenge of Ivybridge Community College in the semi-finals, and despite Ivybridge showing immense courage, Hartpury ran out 35-11 winners.

Oaklands College finished second in the North group on bonus points and travelled to South group table-toppers St Paul’s Catholic College in their semi final.

Oaklands started stronger and ran into an early 13-3 lead but St Paul’s came back in the second half and scored a late converted try to get within three points of the visitors.

With the game on a knife-edge at 13-10, Oaklands conceded a last minute penalty and with everyone on the edge of their seats, the St Paul’s kicker lined up the penalty goal to level the game.

But from a difficult distance and angle, the ball just dropped short to seal an Oaklands win and a place in the championship final at Twickenham.

The Bowl final will see Exeter College take on Twyford C of E High School while the plate final features Moulton College against Myerscough College.

7.4.11

RGS High Wycombe beat Truro School 17-15 in the final of the Daily Mail RBS Rugby Union U15 Cup at Twickenham yesterday while Whitgift School retained the U18 Cup in style after defeating Oakham School 45-24.

In the Vase finals, Saffron Walden High School overcame Harrogate Grammar School 32-14 in the U15 final while Solihull School ousted St George’s College, Weybridge 28-21 in the U18 competition.

For full reports and pictures check out the next edition of School Sport Magazine, out on April 26.

6.4.11

England boys table tennis team took gold in style at the British Primary Schools’ Championships at the Welsh National Sport Centre, Cardiff.

Hugo Pang, Tom Jarvis, Josh Bennett and Jamie Dignum cruised past Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey and Wales before overcoming Scotland 7-3 to lift the crown.

England’s young girls team - Amy Blagbrough, Denise Payet, Kate Cheer and Imogen Scarles - took bronze behind Ireland and Wales.

The girls defeated Scotland and Guernsey 10-0 before going down 7-3 to Ireland and 6-4 against Wales.

6.4.11

Berkshire Leadership Academies brought together almost 240 young people from schools across the county to take part in a four day residential event.

The event, organised, funded and delivered by all eight school sport partnerships in Berkshire was held at Bradfield College and designed to inspire and promote leadership and volunteering in sport in the lead up to the Olympics.

Maxine Cooke, partnership development manager for West Berkshire School Sport Partnership, said: “In light of the recent Government cuts to school sport funding, we feel this event showcases the wealth of opportunity that sport can give a young person.

“One of our aims was to inspire the next generation workforce to support the country’s grassroots and elite sport.

“This Academy will allow young people to develop their interpersonal skills, social skills and sports specific ability to give something back to their communities through their volunteering.”

The challenging and innovative combination of workshops and training were delivered to an elite group of students selected by their schools for their potential or track record as young leaders or volunteers in sport.

Day one consisted of team building activities, generic coaching skills, interactive workshops themed around Get Set 2012 (the official Education programme for the London Olympic & Paralympic games) and next steps in how to get involved in volunteering in sport.

Day two saw every young leader gain a recognised NGB leadership or officiating qualification in one of six sports - tennis, badminton, rugby union, athletics, gymnastics and netball.

One of the highlights of the event was a screening of the 60 second adverts that the students made to advertise the Olympic Games & the Olympic & Paralympic values.

Edited by James Mandry, partnership development manager for West Berkshire, the multi-media exercise was designed to stimulate and challenge their thinking about how far reaching the impact of the Olympics coming to London in 2012 can be.

All eight Berkshire partnerships are currently exploring their options from September onwards and investigating a variety of sustainability strategies for the future.

Dependent on future investment, the partnership hope to continue the Academy next year.

31.3.11

Elliot Daly is hoping to bring his Grand Slam winning form to bear on Whitgift’s back to back RBS Daily Mail Schools title bid.

Holders Whitgift will run out on to the Twickenham pitch for the second successive year– they beat Royal Grammar School Newcastle 34-10 last year - when they face Oakham School in the U18 Cup final on next Wednesday April 6.

The eighteen year-old, who just two weeks ago celebrated a clean sweep with England U20s, said: “It would be amazing to add a schools cup win to the Grand Slam victory.

“Playing for my country is a massive honour and I can’t wait to get out onto the pitch at Twickenham with my school friends and play the kind of rugby that got us here in the first place.

“We won last year which was an amazing experience, but to do it two years running would be beyond my wildest dreams. To play at this iconic stadium is a fantastic opportunity – and one that I hope to relive before I stop playing.”

Standing in Whitgift’s way are Oakham, who will be searching for their third title in the competition thanks to England U18 star Charlie Walker who snatched a last minute score against Old Swinford to send his team through.

Coached by former Leicester Tigers legends Ian Smith and Glenn Gelderbloom, Oakham held the title in 2002 and 2003 yet will go into the final as underdogs against Whitgift, whose wins over Plymouth College and Wilmslow secured their path to Twickenham.

In the U18 Daily Mail RSB Vase, St George’s College, Weybridge, will take to the main stage for the first time following the narrowest of victories over Ravens Wood School in the semi finals at Broadstreet.

Despite leading for almost the entire match, Ravens Wood lost 15-13 after St George’s fullback Ben Crowe sealed victory for the West Midlanders.

St George’s opponent Solihull School had a smoother run in their path to the final, seeing off Woodhouse Grove 20-0 in an error-strewn affair.

Whitgift’s hopes of achieving the U18 and U15 double were dashed following captain Ned Warne’s cooly taken penalty five minutes from time securing Truro School’s place in the U15 Cup final.

The Cornishmen are only one game away from claiming the coveted trophy for the first time in their history, but standing in their way are three-time champions RGSHigh Wycombe.

Making the trip to rugby headquarters next week for the U15 Vase are Saffron Walden County High school, whose clinical 13-7 victory over Leicester Grammar will see them battle Harrogate Grammar School for the title.

Schedule: U15 Vase Final - Saffron Walden County High School v Harrogate Grammar School (11am); U15 Cup Final - Truro School v RGS High Wycombe (12.30pm); U18 Vase Final - St Georges College v Solihull School (2pm); U18 Cup Final - Oakham School v Whitgift School (3.30pm)

29.3.11

Queen’s College, Taunton (U13 boys), St Albans School (U15 boys), Newquay Tretherras School (U13 girls) and James Allens Girls School, London (U15 girls) all won national titles at the rearranged ESAA Schools Cross Country Championships at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland.

(For a full report and pictures check out the next edition of School Sport Magazine)

24.3.11

Barking Abbey School beat Cardinal Newman College 17-5 in the final of the U19 National Schools Netball Championships while Hulme Grammar School defeated Bromsgrove School 16-15 in the U16 final and Goffs School overcame Loretto Grammar School 13-5 in the U14 final.

(For full reports and pictures check out the next edition of School Sport Magazine)

23.3.11

Runners will be gathering in numbers at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland this Saturday March 26 for the English Schools Cross Country Cup Final.

One of the most important event in the ESAA calendar, the event will be held at the home of Hogwarts, the setting for the Harry Potter movies.

Previously postponed because of snow before Christmas, ninety six school teams and more than 500 young athletes are due to descend on Northumberland to compete in the boys and girls U13 and U15 finals.

Organisers are pleased that only one school will be unable to make the rearranged date.

Competing in the four finals will be the top three teams from the eight regional finals held all over the country last November.

In the intermediate girls U15 event, 2009 runners up Penair School, the only team from last year’s top three to make it through to this year’s final, were facing one of the longest trips from Truro in Cornwall.

Elsewhere, the local Alnwick school, The Duchess's Community High School, have qualified for the final, having won the north-east regional final.

Other regional winners include Sacred Heart Catholic High School, from Liverpool, Sandbach High School, from Cheshire, the Minster School, from Nottingham, Wycombe High School, from High Wycombe, Millfield School, Somerset, Southend High School for Girls, and James Allen’s Girls School, from London.

Of the top ten individuals from last year, only fourth-placed Ruth Bourne, from Sevenoaks School, Emma Megarry, sixth last year, from St John Fisher Catholic School, Harrogate, and Grace de Rome, ninth last year from James Allen’s Girls School, were due to compete again.

In the intermediate boys U15 event, last year’s winning school St Anselm’s College, from Merseyside, will be back to defend their title after winning the north west regional final.

From the 2009 team, Daniel Jarvis, Matthew Westby, and Joe Jollie are due to return for this season’s event.

Other regional winners are Northumberland’s Duchess Community High School, Laurence Sheriff School, from Rugby, Bourne Grammar School, from Lincolnshire, Northampton School for Boys, Millfield School Street, St Albans School, from Hertfordshire, and Woking High School, from Surrey.

Talented junior runners James McCarthy, from Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Amersham, second in 2009, and Thomas Blanchard, from Ermysted’s Grammar School in Skipton, fourth in 2009, have both moved up to the intermediate event this year.

In the junior boys U13 competition, predicting winners is always difficult as many of the athletes will be having their first run in the event.

Last year’s winning school Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, from Amersham, are in the final again but with a new team after winning the Eastern counties regional final.

Other regional winners are Manchester Grammar School, Park View Community School, from Chester Le Street, Bromsgrove Prep School, Longcroft School, from Beverley in East Yorkshire, Queens College, Taunton, Southend High School for Boys, and Tonbridge’s Judd School.

In the junior girls U13 event, Southend High School for Girls, first in 2009, James Allen Girls’ School, third last year. and fourth-placed Coopers Company and Coborn School, from Essex, all feature runners from last year’s event in their 2010 teams.

Liberty Good, fifth last year from Southend High School for Girls, will be one of the contenders for the individual crown.

Other regional winners are St Hilda’s C of E High School, from Liverpool, St Aidan’s C of E High School, Harrogate, Helsby High School, Minster School, from Nottingham, Aylesbury High School, Newquay Tretherras School, from Cornwall, and James Allen’s Girls School.

22.3.11

Turnford School, from Hertfordshire, completed two ambitious projects to celebrate 500 days to go until the Olympics.

Firstly 500 students took to the school field to spell out 2012 date, photographed by members of staff from the school roof.

Secondly 500 students and staff competed in a relay triathlon, complete 500 miles in eight hours swimming, rowing and running.

21.3.11

Organisers of one of the world’s biggest school sport competitions have told teachers: “It’s your last chance to enter.”

ASDA Kwik Cricket’s U11 competition is the England and Wales Cricket Board’s largest grassroots competition, involving more than 130,000 primary school boys and girls from 12,000 schools, with numbers growing every year.

The knock-out tournament is held on a district, county and regional basis before finals are held in July.

As well as being able to compete against other teams from all around the UK, schools will also get a chance to win a number of prizes, including free Kwik Cricket sets, a chance for your school to play in front of large audience during the Test matches and England players visiting your school to conduct exclusive coaching sessions.

For further details visit www.asda.com/kwikcricket, the website which contains exclusive content to help cricket coaches and teachers to guide their team and fun engaging content for the children taking part.

14.3.11

The two captains in the Northern Bank Ulster Schools' Rugby Union Cup Final this Thursday March 17 have spoken of their hopes ahead of the big game.

Paddy Bell, captain of Royal Belfast Academical Institution, said: “I’m really looking forward to the game. The Schools’ Cup Final is an amazing occasion. I played two years ago as a replacement which was a taster and I can’t wait until Thursday.

“Our forwards are our strength and I think Campbell know that as well. Campbell have talented backs but you can’t use them if you don't have the ball.

“Obviously Campbell have played more games recently but I don’t think that will affect them. The three games they played against Methody were tough but we had two games against Armagh.

“We have done a lot of training over the last two weeks and now it’s tapering off. Most of the school are going and I’m sure there will be a massive crowd.”

John Creighton, captain of Campbell College, Belfast, added: “It’s my first experience of a St Patrick’s Day Final so I’m really looking forward to it. We know Inst are a very good side this year and have some great players.

“We had really tough games against Methody but that has built up our fitness. There’s a bit of tiredness but all the knocks should be shaken off by Thursday.”

10.3.11

Kingston Grammar School (U18), Wakefield Girls High School (U16) and Repton School (U14) emerged triumphant at the National Schools Girls Hockey Championships at Cannock HC.

(For a full report and pictures check out the next edition of School Sport Magazine)

9.3.11

Whitgift School’s England U20 international Elliot Daly scored 15 points as the current U18 Daily Mail RBS Rugby Union Cup holders held off a spirited late rally from Wilmslow High School to triumph 20-17 and book their place at Twickenham for the second year in a row.

Despite Whitgift enjoying early dominance, their opponents broke the deadlock when skipper Ethan Harding pounced on Tommy Nicholls’ loose pass and raced home from the halfway line, with Olly McCall adding the conversion.

Whitgift restored parity in the 26th minute when fullback Chris Crane crossed for a try converted by Daly, and penalties either side of half time from the latter gave his side a 13-7 lead.

The Londoners looked on course for a comfortable victory when Daly scored a seven-pointer with 20 minutes remaining, but Wilmslow fought back strongly and McCall’s penalty reduced the arrears.

Prop Max Harvey then scored a try that McCall converted to set up a thrilling last 10 minutes, but the champions weathered the storm to remain on course for retaining their trophy.

Whitgift will now play Rutland outfit Oakham School, who will be hunting for their third title, in April’s final after the 2002 and 2003 winners defeated Old Swinford Hospital 17-10 in the other semi-final.

Oakham went ahead against the run of play through winger James Harris, with England U18 star Charlie Walker adding the extras.

Oliver Simcox’s try and Max Stelling’s conversion brought Old Swinford back to level terms, and Stelling’s penalty just after half time put his side in front.

A stunning solo effort from Walker snatched the lead back, with his conversion and a later penalty securing victory for his team.

9.3.11

A stoppage time try from Lloyd Beestonsent sent St George’s College, Weybridge, into the U18 Daily Mail RBS Vase final at the expense of heartbroken Ravens Wood School, who lost 15-13 after leading for almost the entire match.

Dominic Grover opened the scoring for London side Ravens Wood with an eighth minute try after a strong carry from centre Charlie Smith.

St George’s Chris Hanson knocked over a simple penalty to cut the deficit to two points, but Lewis Tear scored Ravens Wood’s second try of the afternoon six minutes after half time to extend their lead to seven points.

Ravens Wood looked set for their first ever appearance at headquarters when captain Ryan Squires slotted a drop goal from an awkward angle to give his side a 13-3 advantage.

St George’s scrum half Eoghan Sweeney then burrowed over for a try converted by Will Grant to haul the Surrey school back into contention, before Beeston struck to send his team and their band of supporters into raptures after a frenetic last quarter of an hour.

St George’s opponent in the final on April 6 will be Solihull School, who cruised to a 20-0 victory over Woodhouse Grove School in an error-strewn affair.

Max Rodman, who kicked a last-gasp penalty for Solihull in their 24-23 quarter-final win over Harrogate Grammar School, broke the deadlock in the 15th minute with a penalty.

He doubled his side’s tally ten minutes later with a second penalty and he was also on hand to add the extras to Oliver Blundell’s try soon after the break, before a score from fullback Ben Crowe, converted by Rodman, five minutes from time sealed victory for the West Midlanders.

8.3.11

Prep school rugby teams from all over the country converged on Epsom College for the finals of the 16th National Schools Rugby Tournament.

More than 1,000 young players representing 72 school teams from schools treated a large crowd of spectators to a feast of free-flowing rugby played in a competitive but wholly sporting spirit.

In the flagship U13 final, Shrewsbury House School, from Surbiton, beat Rokeby. from Kingston-upon-Thames, 17-0 while Donhead, from Wimbledon, won the U11 Cup, beating Blundell’s Prep School from Tiverton in Devon.

Shrewsbury House also won the U10 competition while Cranmore from Surrey took the U9 crown and Denmead from Middlesex won the U8 Tag trophy.

Paul Williams, deputy headmaster of Epsom College, said: “We were delighted to have played host to the finals of this national competition for the tenth year in succession.”

Epsom old boys George Lowe and Chris York, both full time professional rugby players with Aviva Premiership club Harlequins, presented trophies to the winners afterwards.

8.3.11

Bedford Modern School’s U16 and U19 boys teams have both qualified for the national finals of the English Schools’ Team Championships
.
The U16 team - Nishanth Narayanan, Alex Meade, Sahad Ahmed and Luke Carson - beat both the Macmillan Academy, Middlesbrough, and Lancaster Royal Grammar 6-2.

The U19 team - Ben Gardner, Josh Robinson, James Coleman and Harpreet Rupal - defeated both Brooksbank School, Halifax, and Dallam School, Cumbria 8-0.

7.3.11

A school rugby union team is making a rare trip to Zimbabwe to play a series of matches against local teams next month.

Twenty eight 17 and 18-year-olds have been selected to represent the Independent Schools Barbarians during the nine day tour.

The trip, organised by Edwin Doran Sports Tours, is believed to be one of the first school trips to the troubled country since 1998.

Starting with games against similarly skilled county level teams, the side will progress to testing their ability against a Zimbabwe U19 team.

Ian Barton, general manager of Edwin Doran Sports Tours, explained: “We are delighted to be involved with the first sports tour from the UK to travel to Zimbabwe for a number of years.

“Back in the 80s and 90s, we used to take schools to Zimbabwe every year and reinstating this tour will help the Zimbabwe economy.

“The boys will stay at a variety of boarding schools, squeezing in some valuable time for school study, and be put up by host families.

“Teams travelling with us benefit from their involvement in community projects. On this trip we plan to donate rugby kit and boots to boys in the township so they can continue to enjoy this fantastic sport.”

3.3.11

Players of the all-Edinburgh Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup double-header are making their final preparations for their crunch matches at Murrayfield this month.

Edinburgh Academy and Stewart’s Melville College make up both halves of the U16 and U18 Cup finals which last season attracted around 6,000 supporters to Murrayfield stadium.

First up is the U18 final this Saturday March 5 (2pm) which is a repeat of last season’s final.

Current champions Edinburgh Academy will defend their crown against their familiar foes for whom the memory of last season’s final – snatched from their clutches by an injury time Academy drop-goal – remains fresh in their hearts and minds.

The match will be Edinburgh Academy captain Chris Dean’s third in the Schools’ Cup, running out in previous U18 and U15 cup winning sides.

However, despite his relative familiarity with the setting, Dean insists that the Academy won’t be taking the opportunity lightly.

He said: “The Schools’ Cup is such a big deal throughout your school year. You don’t get many chances to win at Murrayfield so you have to go for it.

“All the previous wins and winners are in the past, it’s all about now so we’re going to go on to the field and put in the best performance we can.

“You have to be confident coming into a cup final as it’s the two best teams in the competition coming together, so it’ll be good to take that confidence on to the field.”

Opposing U18 captain, Stewart’s Melville College flanker Ross McPhail, also played in last season’s final, though the outcome was less fortunate for the young open-side.

He said: “There’s a wee bit of extra motivation this season but it’s a quite a different team this year so it presents a different challenge.

“We’ve got quite a big, quick team and some very big backs so hopefully they’ll be effective. We also have quite an aggressive forward pack who played well in the semi-final, so hopefully well be able to do that again on Saturday.

“It’s great to play on the main pitch. All you dream about is playing at Murrayfield. It’s a massive part of the Schools’ Cup experience, though it would be nice win this year.”

The double-header will be completed on Sunday March 20 (2pm) when the U16 sides take to the field.

Originally scheduled to precede the U18 final on the Murrayfield back-pitches (to safeguard the condition of the international pitch during the RBS 6 Nations window) the U16 final was moved inside the home of Scottish Rugby to cater for the expected swell in attendance due to the double-headed nature of the fixture.

Stew-Mel’s U16 captain Alexander Clayton, who also felt the agony of a final loss last season, is delighted to get another shot at the silverware on the international pitch.

He said: “We’re really looking forward to it as you would expect. We’ve got a good all round squad, our backs play very well in open play and we all know our game plan and work together.

“We’re very happy it’s on the international pitch because we can really get a big crowd in the stadium for the final.”

Stewart’s Melville College U18 team: Murray Black; Adam Greig, David St Clair, Jack Hannay, Leo Bargery; Alex Hagart, Charlie Taylor; Hugh Lindsay, Chris Halliday, Ross Mackintosh, Jonathan Morgan, Andrew St Clair, Max Campbell, Ross Mcphail (captain), Justin Duncan
Substitutes: Chris Gilfillan, Rory Warnock, Jamie Johnstone, Daniel Gibb-Morris, Isaac Miller, Andrew Masson, Sam Bergius

Edinburgh Academy U18 team: Scott Heaney; Jamie Farndale, Chris Dean (captain), Matthew Zegleman, Freddie Smith, Alexander Muir, Alex Glashan, Josh Haining, Tom Normand, Dan Falkner, David Forbes, Angus Inwood, Chris Thomson, Jamie MacLean, Cameron Simpson
Substitutes: Angus Lutton, Chris Allan, Oli Cradock, Ronan Seydak, Jack Hardie, David November, Gus MacLean

1.3.11

Reigning champions Bedford School have been given home advantage in the draw for the 2011 School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

Bedford will meet the winners of the first round tie between Biddenham Upper School and Hitchin Boys School.

Last year’s runners up Myerscough College, Preston, will travel to the winners of the tie between Yorkshire rivals Shelley College and Huddersfield New College while beaten semi finalists Portsmouth Grammar School have been drawn away to newcomers Reigate Grammar School.

This year’s 40-over competition will once again feature a mix of independent and state schools as well as sixth form colleges. A range of first-time competitors will join a host of returning schools.

For a full draw, check out the cricket results page of our website.

28.2.11

Ned Warne was the hero as his coolly taken penalty five minutes from time gave Truro School U15s a nail-biting 16-15 Daily Mail RBS Rugby Union Cup semi-final victory over Whitgift School, whose hopes of achieving the U18 and U15 Cup Double were dashed.

The Cornishmen started the strongest and centre Warne opened the scoring with a wind-assisted penalty.

Truro extended their lead to eight points when Tom Holdsworth was driven over, and Oliver Hallworth’s fine individual effort on the stroke of half time made the score 13-0.

A revitalised Whitgift stormed out of the blocks after the restart and were on the scoreboard within 79 seconds thanks to a try from powerful winger Jubril Adamson.

The Londoners completed the comeback courtesy of five-pointers from Geddy Stringer and Adamson, but Seb Adeniran-Olule’s infringement, for which the prop was sin binned, allowed Warne to strike and seal the win.

Truro are now only one game away from claiming the coveted trophy for the first time in their history, but standing in their way are three-time champions RGS, High Wycombe, who held off a thrilling late rally from The Perse School to triumph 15-14.

RGS’ Nathan Henry knocked over a penalty to break the deadlock, before flanker Alex Murphy’s try and Henry’s conversion increased their advantage to ten points.

Richard Gavin scored the Buckinghamshire side’s second try with 13 minutes remaining and seemingly made the trip to headquarters a certainty.

But referee Rob Warburton awarded Perse a penalty try after Ross Neal, who added the extras with ease, was impeded chasing a kick.

Five more points from jubilant Perse winger Ilya Altsculer, converted into seven by Neal, set up a grandstand finish, but RGS clung on to victory.

In the U15 Daily Mail RBS Vase semi-final, Saffron Walden County High School captain Ed Low scored two tries as his side overcame Leicester Grammar School 13-7, despite having to defend for long periods.

Saffron Walden and Low broke the deadlock in the ninth minute after the inside centre finished a length-of-the-field counter-attack, and Ivan Karsten spurned the opportunity to extend their lead when he missed a penalty.

Karsten did hit the target four minutes after half time to put Saffron 8-0 in front, before Leicester’s George Fossey also missed a three-pointer.

Leicester, as they had been for the majority of the match, applied tremendous pressure to their opponents’ try line but could not penetrate a resolute Saffron defence, and they were made to pay when Saffron went 13-0 up through Low’s second of the day.

Hooker Harry Penfold and Fossey combined to pull seven points back for Leicester as they finally managed to pierce Saffron’s defence, but the Essex side saw out the last few minutes comfortably to book their place in Twickenham’s grand final.

Also making the trip to headquarters to compete for the Vase on Wednesday April 6 is Harrogate Grammar School, who emerged 10-5 victors over a gutsy Penair School after a tense and scrappy affair.

Calvert Hassan opened the scoring for the Yorkshiremen after a well-worked scrum move, before the winger doubled his side’s tally just after the quarter-hour mark with a superb individual effort from inside his own half.

Penair burst into life at the start of the second period, and within two minutes of the restart the Cornish team’s inspirational captain Aric Asbridge bludgeoned his way over to halve the deficit.

Despite enjoying a large amount of possession in the second half and being backed by a vociferous band of supporters, Penair could not register another score and embarked on the long journey home empty-handed.

28.2.11

Ned Warne was the hero as his coolly taken penalty five minutes from time gave Truro School U15s a nail-biting 16-15 Daily Mail RBS Rugby Union Cup semi-final victory over Whitgift School, whose hopes of achieving the U18 and U15 Cup Double were dashed.

The Cornishmen started the strongest and centre Warne opened the scoring with a wind-assisted penalty.

Truro extended their lead to eight points when Tom Holdsworth was driven over, and Oliver Hallworth’s fine individual effort on the stroke of half time made the score 13-0.

A revitalised Whitgift stormed out of the blocks after the restart and were on the scoreboard within 79 seconds thanks to a try from powerful winger Jubril Adamson.

The Londoners completed the comeback courtesy of five-pointers from Geddy Stringer and Adamson, but Seb Adeniran-Olule’s infringement, for which the prop was sin binned, allowed Warne to strike and seal the win.

Truro are now only one game away from claiming the coveted trophy for the first time in their history, but standing in their way are three-time champions RGS, High Wycombe, who held off a thrilling late rally from The Perse School to triumph 15-14.

RGS’ Nathan Henry knocked over a penalty to break the deadlock, before flanker Alex Murphy’s try and Henry’s conversion increased their advantage to ten points.

Richard Gavin scored the Buckinghamshire side’s second try with 13 minutes remaining and seemingly made the trip to headquarters a certainty.

But referee Rob Warburton awarded Perse a penalty try after Ross Neal, who added the extras with ease, was impeded chasing a kick.

Five more points from jubilant Perse winger Ilya Altsculer, converted into seven by Neal, set up a grandstand finish, but RGS clung on to victory.

In the U15 Daily Mail RBS Vase semi-final, Saffron Walden County High School captain Ed Low scored two tries as his side overcame Leicester Grammar School 13-7, despite having to defend for long periods.

Saffron Walden and Low broke the deadlock in the ninth minute after the inside centre finished a length-of-the-field counter-attack, and Ivan Karsten spurned the opportunity to extend their lead when he missed a penalty.

Karsten did hit the target four minutes after half time to put Saffron 8-0 in front, before Leicester’s George Fossey also missed a three-pointer.

Leicester, as they had been for the majority of the match, applied tremendous pressure to their opponents’ try line but could not penetrate a resolute Saffron defence, and they were made to pay when Saffron went 13-0 up through Low’s second of the day.

Hooker Harry Penfold and Fossey combined to pull seven points back for Leicester as they finally managed to pierce Saffron’s defence, but the Essex side saw out the last few minutes comfortably to book their place in Twickenham’s grand final.

Also making the trip to headquarters to compete for the Vase on Wednesday April 6 is Harrogate Grammar School, who emerged 10-5 victors over a gutsy Penair School after a tense and scrappy affair.

Calvert Hassan opened the scoring for the Yorkshiremen after a well-worked scrum move, before the winger doubled his side’s tally just after the quarter-hour mark with a superb individual effort from inside his own half.

Penair burst into life at the start of the second period, and within two minutes of the restart the Cornish team’s inspirational captain Aric Asbridge bludgeoned his way over to halve the deficit.

Despite enjoying a large amount of possession in the second half and being backed by a vociferous band of supporters, Penair could not register another score and embarked on the long journey home empty-handed.

25.2.11

The draws for both the ESCA’s David English Bunbury Schools U13 Cricket Cup and the Lords Taverners U15 Cup can now be seen on our cricket results page.

The draw for the School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup will be made on March 1, posted on our website cricket results page later that day and emailed to participating schools.

Schools have until close of play on February 28 to enter the competition, which is open to both state and independent schools as well as sixth form colleges in England, Scotland and Wales.

25.2.11

Royal Belfast Academical Institute defeated Royal School Armagh 19-13 and will progress to meet Coleraine Institute in the semi-final of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools' Rugby Union Cup.

But in another quarter-final replay yesterday, Belfast’s Methodist College drew with Campbell College 10-10 for a second time.

They will now face each other for a third time in a bid to determine which side progresses to meet Ballyclare High School in the other semi-final. The replay will take place at Shaw’s Bridge on Monday February 28 at 3pm.

The semi final between Royal Belfast Academical Institution and Coleraine will also take place next Monday at Ravenhill (2.30pm).

The other semi final between Ballyclare High School and either Campbell or Methodist has been scheduled for Ravenhill on Monday March 7 (2.30pm).

23.2.11

Young rugby hopefuls lining up for the national final of the U16 Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup have welcomed the news that their glamour tie will be played on the international pitch at Murrayfield stadium.

The U16 schools’ cup final, due to be played on the back pitches on Saturday March 5, will now take place inside the home of Scottish Rugby on Sunday 20 March.

The U18 schools cup final will take place on Saturday March 5, with both ties kicking off at 2pm.

An SRU spokesperson said: “The U16 final was originally scheduled for Murrayfield’s back pitches to safeguard the condition of the international pitch during the RBS 6 Nations window.

“However, with the Schools’ Cup attendance expected to outstrip the capacity of the back-pitch, this welcome change of location and date was required.”

David Gray, Principle of Stewart’s Melville College, agreed: “We’re delighted that both matches have been moved to the international pitch and look forward to taking on Edinburgh Academy at U16 and U18 level next month.”

22.2.11

Wilmslow High School are preparing for their first ever appearance in the U18 Daily Mail RBS Rugby Union Cup semi-finals.

The Cheshire team cruised into the last four after a comfortable 31-12 victory over QEGS, Wakefield, and will now tackle reigning champions Whitgift School.

But it is the U15s who take centre stage this weekend at Broadstreet RFC with the U15 Cup semi finals on Saturday and the U15 Vase on Sunday.

In the U15 Cup, Whitgift will face Truro School at 1pm while The Perse School will do battle against RGS High Wycombe at 11am.

And in the U15 Vase, Penair School will face Harrogate Grammar School at 1pm after a second half try from captain Aric Asbridge booked the Cornish side’s place in the last four.

Saffron Walden County High School’s 14-3 win over Beths Grammar School of South East London sees the Essex outfit take on Leicester Grammar School at 11am.

The following Saturday March 5 will see Wilmslow tackle Whitgift at 1pm in the U18 Cup while Old Swinford Hospital will play Oakham School at 11am, having recorded an impressive 35-28 win over 2006 champions St Peter’s High School, Gloucester.

In the U18 Vase on Sunday March 6, Solihull School face Woodhouse Grove Schoool at 11am after passing Grammar School 24-23 in the narrowest of victories.

Elsewhere, St George’s College full back Anthony Watson secured his side’s place against Ravens Wood School at 1pm, grabbing his 16th try of the season against Sir Thomas Rich’s Grammar School.

18.2.11

Plymouth College and Millfield School shared ten of the twelve titles at the 53rd ESSA Secondary Schools Swimming Relay Championships at the Grand Central Pools in Stockport.

But Plymouth College underlined their boast of being the best swimming school in the country with six titles including four of the six girls finals.

(For a full report and pictures check out the next edition of School Sport Magazine)

18.2.11

Bedford Modern School were crowned U13 county girls champions after defeating both Bedford High School and Dame Alice Harpur School 1-0 and also securing a 4-0 victory against Icknield.

The BMS squad - Emma Baxter (captain), Olivia Eadie, Beatrix Fenske, Chloe Jefferd, Elissa McNamara, Ruth Pyall, Kate Rice and Rachel Sayer - will now compete in the East regional round on March 22 at Bedford Hockey Club.

16.2.11

Twenty four teams in three separate age groups will battle in out in the finals of the National Schools Girls Hockey Championships next month.

Five regional winners will join three runners up at U14, U16 and U18 levels at Cannock Hockey Club from March 2-4.

In the U14 event, regional winners Norwich School, Repton School, Arnold School, St George’s College, Surrey, and Canford School will be joined by runners up Queen Elizabeth School, Kirby Lonsdale, Clifton HS and Kings, Canterbury.

In the U16 competition, regional winners Ipswich School, Oundle School, Portsmouth Grammar School, Wakefield Girls Grammar and Millfield will be joined by runners-up Bromsgrove, Sevenoaks and Sir William Borlase’s School.

In the U18 event, regional winners Coopers Company & Coborn School, Repton, Cheadle Hulme, Kingston GS and Millfield will be joined by runners-up Trent College, Arnold School and Bryanston School.

The runners-up in the region that contained last year’s winners qualified automatically while the other four runners-up took part in play-off matches to find the last two qualifiers.

All eight finalists in the three age groups will be split into two groups of four, with the top two in each group qualifying for the final.

15.2.11

Schools across Britain are being encouraged to get into the Olympic spirit by signing up for this year’s Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week.

Schools in England and Wales can sign-up today at www.schoolsportweek.org and get ready to join Britain’s biggest celebration of school sport from June 27 to July 1.

Registered schools will be provided with free resources including a teacher planning pack full of useful tips and ideas to help them make the most of the week and use the inspiration of London 2012 to encourage pupils to try new sports, aim to achieve a personal best and live the values of the Games.

And with thousands of schools staging inter and intra-school competitions, and their very own opening and closing ceremonies and mini torch relays, the aim is to bring the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to all corners of Britain.

In 2010, the week inspired 14,000 schools and five million young people across Britain to try a new Olympic or Paralympic sport for the first time, resulting in more young people going on to join sports clubs in and outside school.

In 2011, Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week, run in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, will use the anticipation of the London 2012 Games to inspire pupils to continue to try new sports, but to also pledge to achieve a personal best in an Olympic or Paralympic sport, individually, with their class or club and at every level.

Throughout the week, schools will also be able to get even closer to the Games, as Lloyds TSB, official London 2012 Partner and a Presenting Partner to the Olympic Torch Relay, will be giving registered schools the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay and win tickets to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sebastian Coe, chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) said: “The fact that nearly 14,000 schools took part in National School Sport Week in 2010 confirms what we witness every time we travel around the UK – that children are excited about trying new sports.

“The enthusiasm up and down the country and overall support for the London 2012 Games is clear, and it is great to see the impact it is already having on school children.”

14.2.11

Jimmy Walker scored two tries as Wilmslow High School cruised into the U18 Daily Mail RBS Rugby Union Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history with a comfortable 31-12 victory over QEGS, Wakefield.

Wilmslow made a blistering start as lock Callum Hubbard scored a try converted by Olly McCall inside five minutes, but three-time finalists QEGS restored parity in the 23rd-minute after a period of sustained pressure.

Sean Street finished off a sweeping team move just after half time to give the hosts the lead once again, before Walker notched up his first five-pointer of the day after a strong burst from prop Sam Royle.

Tom Hudson got his side’s fourth try as his superb footwork bamboozled the QEGS defence and Walker’s second made the result safe, with another QEGS try in the closing stages only scant consolation for the visitors.

The Cheshire school will be understandably dreaming of Twickenham, but they will have their work cut out to get there as they now face holders Whitgift in the semi-finals after the Surrey school overcame a plucky Plymouth College 24-10 in Devon.

Three Elliot Daly penalties for the away side and one from Plymouth’s Henry Slade saw Whitgift go 9-3 ahead early on, before fullback Chris Crane’s try just before half time increased the deficit to 11 points.

A converted score from George Stephenson hauled Plymouth right back into the game, but tries from his namesake Harding and Herbie Butler carried the visitors to victory.

In the top half of the draw, Old Swinford Hospital recorded an impressive 35-28 win at 2006 champions St. Peter’s High School, Gloucester, and they will now play the winner of St. Joseph’s College, Ipswich and Oakham School.

13.2.11

Prolific fullback Anthony Watson grabbed his 16th try of the season as St George’s College, Weybridge, dispatched a gutsy Sir Thomas Rich’s Grammar School 17-5 in their U18 Daily Mail RBS Vase quarter-final clash.

After a cagey opening 25 minutes with neither team willing to give anything away, England U18 fullback Watson, brother of London Irish’s Marcus, demonstrated quick-thinking to tap a penalty awarded close to the Sir Thomas Rich’s try line and barge over for five points that Chris Hanson converted to seven.

Gloucester side Sir Thomas Rich’s made things extremely difficult for the hosts with some very physical play and a well-executed forward-orientated game plan.

And it took 15 minutes of the second half for St. George’s to break them down again, this time through Ed Ludlow who scored at the back of a driving maul.

A grandstand finish was in store when the visitors pulled a try back with 11 minutes to go to make the score 12-5, but an outstanding individual effort from Jack Westmoreland-Burns finally secured a semi-final place for St. George’s.

In the other quarter-final, Solihull School kicker Max Rodman slotted a last-gasp penalty to guide the Midlanders to a thrilling 24-23 home win over heartbroken Harrogate Grammar School.

12.2.11

Whitgift will be looking for Daily Mail RBS Cup glory on two fronts this year after Latte Laryea’s brace of tries in a thrilling 27-15 home victory over Woodhouse Grove School helped their U15s follow the 1st XV into the semi-finals.

The hosts stormed out of the blocks and raced into a commanding 27-0 lead in the first half, with scores from Jubril Adamson, Miles Bannister and Kola Fabisuwa, in addition to a Jack Lloyd conversion, adding to Laryea’s superb double.

Number eight Adam May pulled a try back for Bradford-based Woodhouse, who had never lost prior to this match, before the interval to reduce the arrears slightly, but a place in the final four still appeared to be a formality for Whitgift.

Woodhouse, however, showed tremendous character to force their way back into contention in the second period and five-pointers from Radigan twins, Michael and Daniel, jangled the home side’s nerves.

But Londoners Whitgift held firm to prevent a collapse and keep the school’s dreams of a double alive.

Whitgift will now face Truro School in the semi-finals at Broadstreet RFC at the end of the month, while in the bottom half of the draw, The Perse School will do battle against RGS, High Wycombe.

A second half try from Penair School captain Aric Asbridge proved decisive as the Cornishmen squeezed past Rodborough Technology College 10-7 in the U15 Daily Mail RBS Vase quarter-finals

Penair played with the wind and slope in the first period but could not break the deadlock despite dominating for long spells, as the game remained scoreless until half time.

The elements now in their favour, Rodborough came out strongly after the restart, but they struggled to cope with the Penair forwards’ carrying ability in the wider channels, which resulted in a 40th minute try for visiting pack leader Jay Tyack.

Rodborough defended well as Penair began to regain the ascendency, but the visitors eventually doubled their lead when Asbridge burrowed over from close range, just after Rodborough had spurned the chance to narrow the gap by missing a very kickable penalty.

The hosts responded well, however, and they ensured that Penair would have to endure a nerve-racking finish when winger Sean Burton showed a wonderful turn of pace to grab a try converted by George Tomes.

But the away side clung on to book their place in the semi-finals at Broadstreet RFC on February 27, where they will play Harrogate Grammar School.

In the other half of the draw, Essex outfit Saffron Walden County High School and Beths Grammar School of South East London will fight for the right to meet Leicester Grammar School.

11.2.11

Schools who wish to enter this year's School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup have just a week to do so.

A host of new schools have entered for 2011 - a great mix of state and independent schools and sixth form colleges - as well as many returning entrants.

But the closing date for entries is Friday February 18 so this is your last chance to enter.

A full list of rules and regulations is posted on our website U17 Cricket Cup page and the draw will be published on our news and results pages later this month.

Schools who wish to enter can do so by emailing info@schoolsportmag.co.uk

11.2.11

The quarter-final draw of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Girls’ Rugby Union Cup has been made following a national qualifying round that took place simultaneously in four different regions in Scotland.
Following its successful introduction last season, girls turned out in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Inverness as an increasing number of women and girls get into the oval ball game.

Inaugural U18 champions Gala will travel to Glasgow to take on the city’s cluster side while U15 champions, the Community School of Auchterarder, will pay a visit to Glenwood High School.

The winning teams from the round-robin qualifiers have proceeded to the national cup quarter-finals.

Losers from the cup quarter-finals will then be entered into a Shield competition (at semi-final stage) while the losers of the qualifying round-robins will be drawn in a Bowl quarter-final.

Colin Thomson, head of community rugby, said: “The fact that we now have a successful and robust girls’ competition is very exciting, giving girls the opportunity to play in a competitive environment and show off their skills.

“This competition can only be of benefit to girls’ rugby and I wish every team the best of luck in the quarter-finals."

U18 Draw: Stirling/Denny v Plockton/Atholl; Gordon Schools v Community School of Auchterarder; Murrayfield Wanderers v Stewarty/Ayrshire; Glasgow Cluster v Gala

U15 Draw: Crieff High School v Grantown Grammar; Glenwood High School v Community School of Auchterarder; Murrayfield Wanderers/Knox Academy v Biggar/Glasgow Cluster; Stewarty/Cumnock/Argyll & Bute v Langholm

9.2.11

Government and Lottery funding will give thousands of young people the opportunity to take part in competitive sport through the new School Games.

In a speech to the 2011 Sports Colleges Conference in Telford, Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport set out his vision for the new School Games tournament, and called on head teachers to get behind the competition.

Speaking to an audience of representatives from more than 500 schools, Mr Hunt also paid tribute to teachers and coaches all over the country for their “extraordinary commitment and dedication over the years towards getting more children and young people to play competitive sport.”

He said: “I want to harness the energy, enthusiasm and commitment you have shown over many years to help move school sport to the next level in this critical year of opportunity.”

The School Games tournament – inspired by the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics – aims to give every child the opportunity take part and compete.

As part of the competition, 500 schools across nine regions will pilot an annual School Games Day, a ’finals’ day stemming from a programme of intra-school competition which will offer disabled children as many opportunities as non-disabled children.

A rolling programme of leagues and tournaments will promote more competition between schools at a town or district level.

Up to 60 new, county or city-level ‘Festivals of Sport’ will showcase the best of local competitive sport in the inter-school finals.

Then the most talented young sports people will have the chance to represent their schools in a high-profile, national event.

In the spring, the Government will publish a prospectus for schools – setting out exactly how teachers and coaches can get involved in the School Games, including registering online.

A partnership between DCMS, the Department of Health, and the Department for Education and Sport England, are combining to try and make the School Games a success, and pay for hundreds of new School Games organisers.

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: “Sport is a vital part of a healthy childhood. It helps in the drive against child obesity and competitive school sport offers a wide range of benefits like better self esteem, confidence and social skills.

“That is why we have got behind the School Games by providing up to £20 million of funding over the next two years. It will help foster strong links between schools and encourage greater uptake.”

9.2.11

School sport was back in the spotlight today as the Youth Sport Trust’s National Conference began at the Telford International Centre.

More than one thousand headteachers, directors of specialism and leaders in school sport are attending the conference which will explore how schools can maximise learning and achievement for young people through sport.

The two day event, sponsored by Sports and Leisure Group, includes workshops, seminars and networking opportunities that allow schools to share ideas and innovations on how sport can be used right across the curriculum to improve attainment and achievement.

Speakers at the conference this year include the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt, and Jo Salter, Britain’s first female fighter pilot.

Steve Grainger, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “Over the last few months we have seen the spotlight shine more brightly on school sport than ever before and the passion of headteachers, school sport staff, young people and Olympians has been clear for all to see.

“The tough economic climate is having an impact on all areas of life – not just school sport. And although we all know the importance and power of PE and school sport, we have to be realistic about the amount of central government funding that will be made available to support our work in the future. That does not mean setting our sights lower, just finding new ways to realise our goals.

“PE and sport are powerful tools that can transform the lives of millions of young people across the country and our focus must be to continue to provide the very best opportunities.

“We remain committed to delivering a PE and school sport system that is the envy of the world and our success to date has been achieved through our commitment to deliver positive experiences for young people and to demonstrate the difference that school sport makes to their lives.”

As an opportunity to celebrate and reward schools for their creative approaches to delivering PE and sport, the Youth Sport Trust’s Innovation and Recognition Award winners, which will be announced at the conference, are glowing examples of how school sport can be delivered to maximise the opportunities for young people through sport.

8.2.11

Arnold School, from Blackpool (U14), Wakefield Girls High School (U16) and Cheadle Hulme School (U18) have been crowned North of England girls hockey champions.

All three schools qualify for the national finals between March 1 and 4 while U18 and U16 runners-up Arnold School and Wilmslow High School tackle Framlingham and Sevenoaks Schools respectively for a place in the nationals.

In the Midlands championships, Repton’s U18 girls qualified for the finals after narrowly defeating Trent College 1-0.

And in the Warwickshire schools boys finals, Rugby School beat King Edward’s, Birmingham 1-0 at U14 level while their U16 boys defeated Bablake School 3-1 on penalties. In the U18 final, Solihull overcame King Edward’s, Birmingham 1-0.

7.2.11

An outing at Twickenham, no more than a dream back in the early days of this season’s Daily Mail RBS Schools Rugby Union Cup competitions, has become a tangible ambition for two teams from Yorkshire school Woodhouse Grove.

The school, from Apperley Bridge between Leeds and Bradford, claimed a second quarter-final placing in the U18 Vase competition with a hard-fought 8-6 win over Calday Grange from the Wirral yesterday, thereby joining their U15 schoolmates, who were already into the last eight of their cup section and just two wins away from an outing at the most famous stadium in world rugby.

“There’s a real buzz in the school at the moment,” says director of sport Roger Howard. “We have lots of very talented young players right across the age-groups and the success of the two sides in the Daily Mail has really inspired all the lads. This really is the place for a talented young rugby player to be at the moment. The mood is really vibrant.

“We were always hopeful that the U15s would be able to make an impact, but I think the U18s have surprised themselves and risen to the challenge of the competition, which has given added purpose to what at times has been a difficult season. Our fixture list offers little respite and while the poor weather has created some opportunity for injuries to clear, it has caused havoc with arrangements and a lack of continuity week to week.

“Now I think they have a really good chance to progress if they are all available and are in the right frame of mind on the day.

“Unfortunately, it looks as though the injury to centre Josh Fawcett in the Calday Grange game may be quite serious, which would be a bad blow, but we’ll have to see what the medics have to say.

“The Vase has been a really good vehicle for us. It has motivated the team and united them brilliantly, which is part of the beauty of the Vase competitions. It shows in the way we’ve been able to find the spirit to snatch victories from the most difficult situations, notably against Crossley Heath and Wirral.”

While a genuine team effort and a collective sense of purpose has been crucial to success, the team also benefits from some key figures with outstanding potential.

The calm leadership of England U17 and Leeds Carnegie Academy tight-head prop Jake Armstrong, the finishing prowess of the pacy wing Alex Masterson (Yorkshire U18 Group and recently English Independent Schools Barbarians), the line-out skills of Harry Cody Owen (Yorks U18 Group) and talents of back-row forward Josh Feeney, the sole remaining member in the school of the U15 team who won the Vase at Twickenham in 2007 have been cornerstones of the team.

The Calday Grange game was tough encounter between two very useful sides who both played their best rugby against a stiff breeze.

The visitors, who contained a sprinkling of quality Cheshire county players, led 6-5 at the break, a one-point advantage looking a slender buttress against the elements.

But a well-organised Calday driving game restricted the home side to a single penalty goal in the second-half by full-back Dominic Copsey to add to Jack Baker’s first-half touchdown.

It was just enough to get the Yorkshire side’s noses in front and they were never seriously threatened once they took lead.

The U18s now await a home quarter-final tie against the winners of the postponed round seven tie between Hereford Cathedral School and King Edward's, Birmingham, while the U15s, unbeaten since their prep school days, and are now facing the massive challenge of travelling to much fancied Whitgift in their quarter final this Wednesday February 9.

3.2.11

Truro School face one of the longest journeys possible following the draw for the quarter finals of the Daily Mail/RBS U15 Cup.

The Cornwall side, who edged past Sir Thomas Rich’s School 11-10 in the last sixteen, must travel to Cheshire’s St Ambrose College if they want to progress in the competition.

Elsewhere, an all state school battle will see RGS High Wycombe, 22-10 conquerers of Kingsbridge Community School, tackle John Fisher School, 21-20 victors over St Joseph’s College, Ipswich.

The Perse School will host Warwick School while Whitgift, the only school still in both U18 and U15 Cups, have home advantage over Yorkshire’s Woodhouse Grove School.

The U15 Cup and Vase semi finals will take place over the weekend of Feb 26/27 while the U18 semi finals will be staged on March 5/6.

The finals of all four competitions will take place at Twickenham on Wednesday April 6.

1.2.11

The draw for the quarter finals of the Daily Mail/RBS U18 Rugby Union Schools Cup has thrown up a series of fascinating ties.

Reigning champions Whitgift School, arguably favourites for this year’s competition, face a tricky away tie against the talented Plymouth College.

St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, have a plumb home tie against Oakham School while Gloucester’s St Peter’s High School have home advantage over Old Swinford Hospital School.

Meanwhile the final quarter final tie sees an all Northern contest with Wilmslow High School hosting. Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield.

The draw was made following the completion of the final five ties from the last sixteen of the competition.

Plymouth College continued their excellent run with a tight 21-17 victory over Stowe School while Wilmslow High School overcame RGS Lancaster 29-13.

St Peter’s High School, Gloucester defeated Bishop Wordsworth School 17-11 while Old Swinford Hospital School beat highly-rated Warwick School 24-15.

There was joy too for Wakefield’s Queen Elizabeth Grammar School who earned the last quarter final place with a convincing 34-7 victory over Merchant Taylor’s School, Crosby.

31.1.11

The result of the last remaining pair of quarter-finals mean that the Brewin Dolphin U18 Scottish Schools’ Cup will be an all Edinburgh affair.

Wins for Edinburgh Academy and Stewart’s Melville College see them join Merchiston Castle School and George Watson’s College who booked their place in the semis previously.

The semi-final draw, announced today, sees current cup holders Edinburgh Academy take on 2007/08 champions Merchiston Castle School while George Watson’s College will face last season’s beaten finalists Stewart’s Melville College.

In the U16 competition, Edinburgh Academy await the winner of Hutchesons’ Grammar School v Marr College while Stewart’s Melville College will face either George Watson’s College or North Berwick.

Elsewhere in the competition, Kirkwall Grammar booked their place in the plate semi-final with a win over 2006/07 cup winners Bell Baxter and will take to the road once more in the semi-final.

Colin Thomson, Scottish Rugby’s head of community rugby, said: “The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup is the highlight of the rugby calendar for thousands of young school boy and girl rugby players.

“The boys’ semi-finalists are now just one game away from the winner-takes-all final at Murrayfield, the culmination of well over 200 Scottish secondary schools going head to head since September.”

Last season around 6000 supporters turned out at the Brewin Dolphin Scottish School’s Cup final at the home of Scottish Rugby.

Like all Scottish Rugby youth and age-grade representative fixtures, admission to the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup (Saturday 5 March), Plate (Wednesday 16 March) and Bowl finals (Wednesday 9 March) are free.

28.1.11

The new season may be three months away - but act quickly if you wish to enter this year's School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

Schools who wish to take part in 2011 have just two weeks to get their entries in or miss out on this exciting competition.

Liverpool College, Burnley's Thomas Whittam Sixth Form, Queen Elizabeth High School in Lincolnshire, Westminster School and Bedford's Biddenham Upper School are among a host of new teams who have signed up this season.

They join newcomers Canford School in Dorset, St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, Bedford Modern School, Downside School, from Bath, Kent College, Canterbury, Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, St Benedict’s School, Ealing, Altrincham Grammar, Windsor Boys and Wexham School, from Slough, who are all among the schools making their debuts in this year’s competition.

Many schools are returning including last year’s finalists Bedford School and Myerscough College, from Preston, plus semi finalists Portsmouth Grammar School, who are all back, albeit with new sides.

The 40-over, midweek summer competition proved a hit last year in its inaugural season with a fine mix of independent and state schools taking part.

It also provided a perfect complement to the English Schools Cricket Association’s U13 Bunbury Cup and U15 Lords Taverners national competitions.

Entries are accepted from England, Scotland and Wales and places are still available. To enter contact info@schoolsportmag.co.uk

28.1.11

Oundle School and Loughborough High School qualified for the national U16 netball finals after reaching the East Midlands regional final at Lincoln.

In the group stages, Oundle defeated Stamford School 14-1, Loughborough 14-5, Selston College 14-9 and Ecclesbourne 14-8 before overcoming Nottingham High School 14-7 in the semi finals.

With both sides safely qualified, Oundle reiterated their superiority over Loughborough in the regional final with a convincing 15-8 victory.

Oundle captain, Annie Bolle-Jones said: "Every pass seemed to flow into the next and at half time we were winning 7-2, but we knew that we had to keep our standard high because it is easy to do a silly pass and have the ball turned over, so concentration had to be kept.

"There was a high level of competition throughout the tournament, bringing out the best in every member of our team."

The national schools U14, U16 and U18 finals are being held on March 19.

25.1.11

Two more sides have reached the quarter finals of the Daily Mail RBS U15 Rugby Union Cup.

The closest tie saw Truro School overcome Sir Thomas Rich’s School, conquerors of Wellington College in round six, 11-10.

They will be joined in the last eight by the Perse School, from Cambridge, who edged out Solihull School 12-5.

In a delayed sixth U18 round, Stowe School earned the right to play Plymouth College for a place in the quarter finals after defeating Abingdon School 37-6.

21.1.11

There was delight and despair in equal measures for St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, in the last sixteen of the Daily Mail RBS Rugby Union Cups.

Hopes of getting both their U18 and U15 sides into the quarter finals of the prestigious national schools competitions were raised when St Joseph’s U18s saw off Hampton School 17-12 in a tough encounter.

But their double bid was foiled in agonising style when their brave U15s lost by the narrowest of margins 21-20 to St John Fisher School, Purley.

Other teams to reach the last eight of the U15 cup so far include Woodhouse Grove School, who defeated Crossley Heath School 15-8 in their West Yorkshire clash, St Ambrose College, Cheshire, who beat St Peter’s School, York, 23-15 and Warwick School, who overcame Wymondham College 33-0.

Devon outfit Kingbridge Community School, who had defeated Millfield and Colston’s School, Bristol, in previous rounds, saw their great run come to an end at the hands of RGS High Wycombe, who ran out 22-10 winners.

21.1.11

The final of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools competition has been rescheduled as a result of disruption to the preceding rounds by this season’s harsh winter.

However, with the bad weather waning and the majority of pitches now playable, the remaining quarter-final matches in the competition are expected to bounce back into action this weekend.

The U18 and U16 cup finals will now take place at Murrayfield on Saturday March 5, while the bowl and plate finals will take place on Wednesday March 9 and 16 respectively.

The quarter finals will be completed this Saturday (Jan 22) while the semi-finals are due to be played on or by Saturday January 29.

Four schools dominate the last eight with George Watson’s College, Edinburgh Academy, Stewart’s Melville College and North Berwick fielding eight of the 16 sides in the U18 and U16 competitions.

George Watson’s College have already booked their place in the U18 cup semi-final after a convincing 18-0 win over Loretto School, while their U16 side will have to overcome North Berwick this Saturday to join them in the penultimate round.

Andrew Barnett, George Watson’s U18 forwards coach and PE teacher, said: “Considering that we have been without rugby for almost two months, both teams put themselves to the task admirably. It was a very physical match between two very good schools and we were happy to come out on top.

“All the schools that have reached the quarter-finals have proved they are excellent sides so whoever we face in the semis will make for a very hard draw. No matter who we play we’re looking forward to this weekend’s results and the draw.

“The players are really looking forward to it. All teams put in a lot of training to make it this far. These are the big games they want to play in.”

The next quarter-final ties will take place tomorrow (Friday January 21) when Merchiston Castle School host George Heriot’s School in the U18 cup and Stewart’s Melville College U16s take on Robert Gordon’s College.

The rest of the cup competitors, including Stewart Melville’s U18s, will then take to the field the following day on Saturday with the boys in red playing host to Dollar Academy.

Edinburgh Academy’s U18 side will continue their title defence against North Berwick while their U16s complete the double-header against the High School of Dundee at New Field. U15 cup champions, Hutchesons’ Grammar School, will face Marr College.

20.1.11

World champion freestyle footballer John Farnworth is encouraging schools and groups across the UK to show off their students’ skills as part of CLIC Sargent’s Kick! campaign this summer.

Football fans at Northdown Primary School in Kent took part in an exclusive skills session at the London Soccer Dome led by John, which helped to launch the annual football fundraising campaign for CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people.

John gave students some top tips on perfecting core skills such as keepy-uppies and Mark ‘Chappers’ Chapman, CLIC Sargent patron and BBC Five Live presenter, joined pupils to help create a video of the event for Kick! participants.

Lisa Sparkes, sports coach at Northdown Primary School said: “We have had so much fun at John’s skills session and taking part in Kick! over the past few years. Through Kick! I have found that putting on your own event is a brilliant way to focus to bring your students together through football.

“I want to encourage as many people as possible to get behind CLIC Sargent’s Kick! campaign this year. My students had so much fun with the event and were given a real boost knowing the money they raised would go to help children and young people with cancer, and their families.”

Kick! is a fun football fundraising event for children and young people of all ages and abilities.

Schools and groups are encouraged to hold their own football event, to help students learn new skills and get active to raise money for CLIC Sargent.

More than 576,000 children have taken part in Kick! since the campaign launched in 2005 and over £880,000 has been raised to help children and young people with cancer to date.

Registration is now open for this year’s campaign with schools and youth football clubs encouraged to hold events between May and July 2011.

Schools, groups and clubs have the option of keeping 25% of the funds raised to develop their own activities or facilities. CLIC Sargent provides a free event pack with everything teachers, coaches, and youth club leaders need to hold an event including fundraising tips, advice on how to get publicity for the event, event ideas and template certificates.

John Farnworth, winner of both the World and European Freestyle Championships, said: “I couldn’t perform my freestyle tricks if I didn’t regularly practise key skills like dribbling and headers and I’m delighted to share some of my tips to support CLIC Sargent’s Kick! campaign.

“From a simple sponsored kick-a-bout to perfect your passing, to a keepy-uppy rally, it’s really fun and easy to develop your skills and fundraise for charity at the same time.

“CLIC Sargent supports children and young people with cancer and by taking part in Kick!, you’ll be raising vital funds that help to support families across the UK,” adds John.

For more information and to register your own event with Kick! – just visit www.clicsargent.org.uk/football or call 08451 20 22 32

19.1.11

A Scottish pupil has won the title of UK Sky Sports Living for Sport Student of the Year 2010.

Conor Fitzpatrick, of Newbattle Community High School in Dalkeith, Midlothian, received the accolade after being named Scotland’s Student of the Year in a series of UK wide regional semi-finals.

With nominations rolling in from schools across the UK, Conor stood out as a clear winner for applying lessons learnt through sport to situations in school and everyday life.

He has gone from being a student who rarely attended lessons, to being a positive, hardworking and integrated member of class and school life.

And organisers insist his story demonstrates how Sky Sports Living for Sport, delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, allows schools to use sport to help motivate and inspire pupils in other areas of life.

Using the scheme, Newbattle Community High School encouraged pupils, including Conor, to select a sport they did not feel comfortable with in order to step out of their comfort zone and face a new challenge. For Conor, this was basketball.

The basketball sessions helped Conor feel less afraid of trying new things, deal with more challenging tasks at school and has helped him develop interpersonal skills such as communication and teamwork with teachers and fellow pupils.

He is now able to teach and coach younger pupils in classes outside of school and he has taken on the role of sports ambassador for the school, visiting schools in the region to pass on the lessons he has learned to others.

Olympic gold medallist and Sky Sports Living for Sport Ambassador, Darren Campbell, who presented Conor with his award, said: “Conor’s story is a shining example of the positive impact sport can have on young people.

“I was delighted to present him with this award today in recognition of his hard work and commitment to improving himself and becoming a better student in all areas of his education.”

As the UK’s overall winner, Conor receives a £100 Adidas voucher, £2000 towards his school’s next Sky Sports Living for Sport project and an additional visit from an Athlete Mentor.

The 11 regional finalists were Matthew Taylor, from Albany School (London), Samantha Burton, from St Thomas More High School (North East), Tom Johnston, from St Mary’s Grammar School (Northern Ireland), Ben Wilson, from Palatine Community Sports College (North West), Samantha Latham Talbot, Kings CofE School (West Midlands), James Baggott, Devizes School (South West), Lewis James, Biddenham Upper School (East of England), Idrees Saleem, from Prospect School (South East), Alexandria Upton, from Parklands Girls High School (Yorkshire & The Humber), Alison Ellen Jane Padgett, from Bramcote Hills Sport & Community College (East Midlands) and Kurt Thomas, from Pontarddulais Comprehensive School (Wales).

18.1.11

Surrey school Whitgift became the first team to reach the quarter finals of the Daily Mail RBS Rugby Union U18 Cup when they defeated St Benedict’s School, Ealing 37-5.

They will be joined by Leicestershire’s Oakham School who overcame Bishop’s Stortford High School 18-6.

17.1.11

Liverpool College, Queen Elizabeth High School in Lincolnshire, Westminster School and Bedford's Biddenham Upper School are among a host of new teams who have signed up for the 2011 School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup – but it’s not too late to enter.

They join newcomers Canford School in Dorset, St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, Bedford Modern School, Downside School, from Bath, Kent College, Canterbury, Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, St Benedict’s School, Ealing, Altrincham Grammar, Windsor Boys and Wexham School, from Slough, who are all among the schools making their debuts in this year’s competition.

They will join many returning schools including last year’s finalists Bedford School and Myerscough College, from Preston, plus semi finalists Portsmouth Grammar School, who are all back, albeit with new sides.

The 40-over, midweek summer competition proved a hit last year in its inaugural season with a fine mix of independent and state schools taking part.

It also provided a perfect complement to the English Schools Cricket Association’s U13 Bunbury Cup and U15 Lords Taverners national competitions.

Entries are accepted from England, Scotland and Wales and places are still available. To enter contact info@schoolsportmag.co.uk

14.1.11

Schools are being urged to take part in the National School Sport Dance next Wednesday January 19 in support of the campaign against cuts to the £162m school sport partnership programme.

January is 555 days until the start of the 2012 London Olympics and schools who wish to ‘Support School Sport’ will perform the dance either in classrooms, their school hall, the yard or at a central venue with other schools as a show of mass participation.

Paul Donaghy, SSCO for the Durham SSP said: “We would like this event to celebrate the power of school sport in uniting people and showcase the strength of the school sport partnership network.

“The Dance is the Official Young Ambassador Dance that was created by young people and inspired by the Olympic and Paralympic values.

“We will be dancing to the song “I Like to Move it” made famous in the film Madagascar and are also attempting to break the Guinness World Record by creating the largest simultaneous dance ever recorded (currently 264,188).

"We are hoping to work with dance specialists and coaches around the country and anyone who can spare about five minutes to join in and do some exercise – maybe as part of their warm up session – will be welcomed."

If you would like to take part or need further information of the ‘National School Sport Dance’ please register on the website www.saveschoolsport.com

13.1.11

Felsted Prep School’s U11 rugby team ended the season unbeaten, winning all ten of the matches they played.

Only eight tries were conceded in a season that included many excellent wins, including a 21-0 victory over Bishop’s Stortford.

U11 rugby coach Jeremy Fincher said: “These young players have shown real grit and determination on the pitch, despite the fact that many are still getting to grips with the rules of the game.

“The same 12 boys have been selected for every match and this is truly a team to
watch for the future.”

12.1.11

Fettes College in Edinburgh have appointed former England rugby international Steve Bates as director of sport.

In this newly created role, Steve will oversee all of the sporting activities at Fettes, Tony Blair’s former school, from September 2011 as well as developing and adapting current practices, promoting achievements and nurturing the talent of young sportsmen and women.

4.1.11

A host of new teams have signed up for the 2011 School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup – but it’s not too late to enter.

Canford School in Dorset, St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, Bedford Modern School, Downside School, from Bath, Kent College, Canterbury, Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, St Benedict’s School, Ealing, Altrincham Grammar, Windsor Boys and Wexham School, from Slough, will be among those making their debuts in this year’s competition.

They will join many returning schools including last year’s finalists Bedford School and Myerscough College, from Preston, plus semi finalists Portsmouth Grammar School, who are all back, albeit with new sides.

The 40-over, midweek summer competition proved a hit last year in its inaugural season with a fine mix of independent and state schools taking part.

It also provided a perfect complement to the English Schools Cricket Association’s U13 Bunbury Cup and U15 Lords Taverners national competitions.

Entries are accepted from England, Scotland and Wales and places are still available. To enter contact info@schoolsportmag.co.uk

• Encouraging excellence • Promoting participation