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

30.12.10

England U18s ran out 29-12 winners against Ireland U18 in Dublin after scoring four tries in an impressive display of free-flowing rugby at Donnybrook Stadium.

Anthony Watson (St George's College) got England off to a flying start in the 15th minute after he raced through several challenges to touch down, with Will Hooley (The Leys School) adding the conversion.

Ireland hit back ten minutes later through Luke McGrath who dived over after a sustained spell of Irish pressure, but with the conversion missed, England held on to a slender lead.

England struck first in the second half through the boot of Hooley who converted a penalty to put England 10-5 to the good.

But with 15 minutes left to play Ireland seized the initiative and scrambled the ball over the line for a disappointing try from England’s point of view. With the conversion successful, England found themselves behind for the first time in the match.

England U18 full back Jack Nowell (Truro College) put the away side back in charge of proceedings with ten left on the clock, scoring a brilliant solo try in the corner. Hooley’s replacement Henry Slade (Plymouth College) duly slotted over for the two extra points.

The momentum was with England now and replacement scrum half James Lightfoot-Brown (St Paul's Catholic College) strengthened England’s lead, executing a lovely team move, with Slade again adding the conversion.

With the score 24-12 England really turned on the style, demonstrating brilliant expansive rugby and in the last minute centre Mark Jennings (Myerscough College) rounded the victory off by showing a superb turn of pace to score in the corner.

Head coach John Fletcher was delighted with the way England coped with the opposition’s physicality and praised the character of his players:

He said: “A lot of our players made their England debuts today and although that showed early on, you have to remember that a lot of the lads haven’t played for a few weeks because of the weather.

“As the game went on I thought we grew into it and as we introduced the substitutes the level of intensity didn’t drop. In fact it probably improved if anything.”

Fletcher added: “Although the 29-12 scoreline may flatter us a little, I did think that we were the better side. A win like that can provide a catalyst for our whole season and hopefully it’s set the tone of what we expect.”

Man-of-the-match Jack Nowell summed up the mood in the camp after what proved to be a somewhat emphatic victory.

He said: “We managed to push on in the second half and if we play like we did in the last 20 minutes in every game then we will be a force to be reckoned with.

“I was delighted to go over for my try towards the end. It was quite an important one for the team as it put some daylight between the two sides. I could feel the Irish guy breathing right down my neck so I just kicked on and went over.

“We’ve bonded really well as a group and as a team and I think our performance reflected the unity we’ve got now and it’s up to us to build on that.”

29.12.10

The updated quarter-final draws for the Brewin Dolphin Schools Cup and Plate competitions at both U18 and U16 age-groups have been finalised.

In all competitions, outstanding pool ties are due to be played by Saturday 15 January with the quarter-final ties to be played on or before Saturday 22 January.

Confirmation of semi-finals and finals dates will be announced early in the New Year.

U18 Cup quarter-final draw: Edinburgh Academy v North Berwick HS or Hutchesons’ GS; George Watson’s College v Loretto; Merchiston Castle School or Robert Gordon’s College v George Heriot’s School; Stewart’s-Melville College v Merchiston Castle School or Dollar Academy or Robert Gordon’s College

U16 Cup quarter-final draw: George Watson’s College v Stewart’s-Melville College or North Berwick HS; Stewart’s-Melville College or North Berwick HS v Robert Gordon’s College;
Edinburgh Academy or Marr College v HS of Dundee or Hutchesons’ GS; HS of Dundee or Hutchesons’ GS v Edinburgh Academy or Marr College

U18 Plate quarter-final draw: HS of Glasgow v Dunbar GS or Hawick HS; St Aloysius College v HS of Dundee; Boroughmuir HS or Peebles HS or Linlithgow Academy v Royal HS or Glasgow Academy; Glenalmond College v Banchory Academy or St Columba’s Kilmacolm

U16 Plate quarter-final draw: Bell Baxter HS v Kirkwall GS; Kelso HS v winner of play-off (winner of Pool 9 v winner of Pool 4); St Aloysius College v Earlston HS or Boroughmuir HS/ James Gillespie’s HS; The Gordon Schools v Linlithgow Academy composite or Peebles HS

20.12.10

Sports teachers were given a slice of Christmas cheer today with news of a partial U-turn to the devastating cuts to the school sport partnership programme.

Education secretary Michael Gove announced in parliament that up to half of the £162m funding cuts would now be saved.

The move follows a huge campaign mounted by teachers, schools, pupils and leading athletes and provides a timely boost to school sport.

It ensures funding for the scheme will continue at least until the Olympics. But the announcement is unlikely to please everyone.

Ministers have been under pressure to defuse the row in case it overshadowed an event at the Olympic Park this evening, where David Cameron will switch on the stadium's lights.

Under the hastily revised plans, about £70 million-£80 million will pay the wages of 3,600 school sports co-ordinators.

But the cuts mean coaches, who are seconded from their regular PE duties, will work one day a week instead of two. – and funding is still not guaranteed beyond 2011/12.

Figures from the department for education show the proportion of schoolchildren doing at least two hours of sport per week rose from 25 per cent to 90 per cent in the past seven years.

The Youth Sports Trust, the charity responsible for delivering school sport, said it was “absolutely delighted” to keep the network of coaches in place.

20.12.10

Sports teachers were holding their breath today waiting to hear news of a U-turn to the devastating cuts to the school sport partnership programme.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, was expected to announce at least a partial reversal of the axing of the £162m programme.

The move follows a huge campaign mounted by teachers, schools, pupils and leading athletes and would provide a perfect pre-Christmas boost to school sport.

6.12.10

Kingsbridge Community College pulled off one of the shocks of the Daily Maily U15 National Schools Rugby Union Cup by knocking out Millfield School in the sixth round.

The Devon state school defeated the Somerset giants 21-20 in a thrilling clash to book their place in the last 16 of the competition

(Full full reports and updates on the competition check out the next edition of School Sport Magazine)

16.12.10

Excitement is building ahead of the start of the annual Northern Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup Competition.

The traditional St Patrick’s Day Final, of what is the second oldest rugby competition in the world after The Hospitals Cup, is one of the great occasions in the Northern Irish rugby calendar.

The preliminary rounds of the 2010/11 Northern Bank Schools' Cup competition have concluded with Wellington College claiming the final place in the cup competition despite challenges from Lurgan College and Strabane Grammar.

Twelve teams will be involved in the second round of the competition to be played on Saturday January 8 involving Royal School Dungannon v Antrim Grammar School, Carrick Grammar School v Belfast High School, Portadown College v Wellington College, Portora Royal School v Larne Grammar School, Cambridge House School v Grosvenor Grammar School and Omagh Academy v Rainey Endowed School.

The winning teams from round will progress to the third round of competition on Saturday January 22 and will be joined by Regent House, Friends School, Down High School, Foyle & Londonderry College, Limavday Grammar School, Dalriada, Banbridge Academy, Sullivan Upper School, Bangor Grammar School.

The final eight seeded teams Methodist College, BRA, RBAI, Ballymena Academy, Wallace High School, Royal School Armagh, Ballyclare High School and Campbell College will join the winners of round three for round four on Saturday February 5.

Quarter finals will take place on February 19, semi finals on February 28 and March 2 and the final on March 17.

15.12.10

Schools and colleges all over the country are being urged to take part in a big dance next month as the campaign to save school sport partnerships steps up.

Hundreds of schools and tens of thousands of pupils and teachers are expected to join in with the SSP Big Dance on Wednesday January 19 at 11.40am, 555 days to the start of the Olympics.

Schools who take part will perform the dance either in classrooms, their school hall, school grounds or at a central venue as a show of mass participation.

Durham school sport co-ordinator Paul Donaghy said: “We are just finalising the piece of music and the dance and are also looking into the possibility of breaking a Guinness World Record by creating the largest simultaneous dance ever recorded.

“We want to display the power of sport by uniting people and to demonstrate the strength of the network of our school sport partnerships.

“We are hoping to work with dance specialists and coaches around the country and would like to invite celebrities and sports stars to join in.”

Since news of the £162m cuts to the entire SSP funding budget were announced, a massive campaign to reverse the decision has been galvinised.

Prime Minister David Cameron gave hope of a U-turn when he announced in the House of Commons that he would look again at the decision.

And last week a petition signed by over 620,000 people was delivered to Downing Street, accompanied by a march involving more than 700 young ambassador sporting pupils, joined by Olympic athletes Denise Lewis and Darren Campbell.

A massive save our school sport partnerships Facebook campaign has garnered 20,000 members.

7.12.10

Talbot Heath School from Bournemouth completed a glorious double by winning both the year 8 (U13) and year 10 (U15) girls competitions at the Aegon Team Tennis finals at Bolton Arena.

Millfield School from Somerset claimed the year 8 boys’ title by the narrowest of margins from Hove's Blatchington Mill School while Reed’s School from Surrey defended their year 10 boys’ title.

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

1.12.10

Hopes of a welcome U-turn into the cuts to the school sport partnership programme grew today.

It follows an announcement by David Cameron during Prime Minister’s Question Time of a review into the devastating £162m funding cuts.

The Government has come under heavy criticism since news of the slashing of the programme was announced by Education Secretary Michael Gove.

Olympic stars have joined sports teachers, sports co-ordinators and partnership development managers in condemning the cuts which they claim will curtail the development of school sport in the country.

But today David Cameron said: “I will be looking carefully at the debate that was held yesterday and making an announcement soon.”

Shadow education secretary Andy Burnham welcomed what he said was “a huge change in tone” since a debate on the issue was held in Parliament on Tuesday - in which the plans were repeatedly attacked by Labour MPs.

“Michael Gove's decision to scrap school sports partnerships has sparked a remarkable grassroots revolt, uniting people right across the country,” he said.

“It seems they now admit that they got it wrong and that school sports partnerships have been a success.

“This apparent change of heart is welcome and will give a glimmer of hope to the thousands of young people, head teachers and athletes who have called on the government to reverse their decision to scrap schools sports partnerships.”

30.11.10

Oundle School were crowned U16 girls Midlands hockey champions after beating Bromsgrove School 1-0 in the final.

Both Oundle, who defeated Repton 2-0 in the first semi final, and Bromsgove, who overcame Denstone College 2-0 in the other semi, qualified for the U16 national finals at Cannock Hockey Club on March 3 and 4.

30.11.10

Students at Chipping Sodbury School in Gloucestershire are celebrating the opening of the school’s new sports centre and ‘3G’ artificial grass pitch.

The project was partially funded with the help of a £630,000 grant from the Football Foundation.

Philip Lidstone, head teacher of Chipping Sodbury School said: “The feedback from both school users and the wider community has been fantastic and celebrates several years of hard work to make the project a reality.”

29.11.10

Heavy snow has forced the postponement of the English Schools Cross Country Cup Final at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland this Saturday.

The first major event in the ESAA calendar, the event was due to be held at the home of Hogwarts, the setting for the Harry Potter movies.

Ninety six school teams and more than 500 young athletes were due to descend on Northumberland to compete in the boys and girls U13 and U15 finals.

But bad weather and the threat of more snow has given organisers no option but to postpone the event until next term.

They are hoping to rearrange it for late March, possibly on Saturday March 26 at the same location.

Competing in the four finals will be the top three teams from the eight regional finals held all over the country in 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.

26.11.10

A host of new teams have been quick to sign up for the 2011 School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

Bedford Modern School, St Joseph’s College, Ipswich, Downside School, from Bath, Kent College, Canterbury, Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, St Benedict’s School, Ealing and Wexham School, from Slough, will be among those making their debuts in next 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.

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 all over Britain with teams from Scotland and Wales keen to take up in the nationwide competition.

Places are still available for the 2011 event. To enter contact info@schoolsportmag.co.uk

26.11.10

More Welsh children than ever are taking part in sport thanks to an innovative scheme.

Sport Wales’ primary school programme Dragon Sport has celebrated ten years of helping kids in Wales to get hooked on sport for life.

For the last decade, Dragon Sport has been blazing a trail in providing fun and exciting sports activities for 7-11 year olds.

The lottery funded scheme has fired up scores of Welsh youngsters to dive into a range of sports both inside and out of school.

Welsh children laced up their trainers to take part in Dragon Sport activities nearly 180,000 times in 2009/10, with more than 66,000 sessions delivered right across the country.

26.11.10

Promising batsman Kishen Velani has been awarded the Sir John Hobbs Silver Jubilee Memorial Prize for the most outstanding U16 schoolboy cricketer in England during 2010.

The Brentwood school pupil joins an impressive list of previous winners including Mike Gatting, Mike Atherton, Mark Ramprakash and John Crawley.

Kishen, who captained the London and East regional team in the Bunbury ESCA Festival, won five awards in total for best batsman, best captain, fastest 50, highest run scorer and best player at the festival.

Kishen currently trains with the England U16 cricket squad with fellow Brentwood School pupil Rehan Hassan.

25.11.10

Gold medal winners and champions from the worlds of athletics, boxing, gymnastics and BMX are among the sports stars available to inspire and motivate 11-16 year old pupils as part of Sky Sports Living for Sport 2010/11.

Now in its eighth year, Sky Sports Living for Sport is a free online initiative delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust to provide schools with flexible and tailored projects that use the power of sport to reach out to 11-16 year olds and encourage them to be the best they can be across all areas of their lives.

Playing an integral part in the delivery of Sky Sports Living for Sport is the offer of a school visit by one of a selection of athlete mentors, handpicked by the Youth Sport Trust because of their inspiring personal journeys to overcome personal issues and achieve success.

Over 80 per cent of responding teachers in a survey of schools that have implemented the initiative identified these visits as a major incentive in taking part.

During the visits - which participating schools can register for via www.skysports.com/livingforsport - 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 visit helps pupils see how sport has enabled the athlete mentor to overcome the issues and barriers in their life, and act as tangible proof to the pupils 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.

New to the athlete mentor team for 2010-11 is Alistair McKean (adaptive rowing), Daniel Caines, (athletics), Hannah Beharry (boxing), Heather Fisher and Jo Yapp, (women’s rugby), Jeanette Kwakye (athletics), Jenna Downing (inline skating), JJ Jegede (long jump), Natasha Jonas (boxing) and Thinus Delport (rugby).

Adaptive rower and Sky Sport Living for Sport athlete mentor Alistair McKean said: “I know first hand how much sport can truly help a person strive to get the best out of life.

“It’s about so much more than just getting fit; each different sporting activity can provide a scope of additional benefits that you can carry through into all aspects of your life, whether it be learning how to focus your mind on the task at hand or developing the social skills necessary to be a team player.

“I really want to share this message with the young people, and am incredibly excited about the work we as an athlete mentor team are about to undertake this school year. It’s a privilege to be involved in Sky Sports Living for Sport.”

The 23 athletes, ten of which are new for 2010-11, will parallel the British Athletes’ Commission’s “Six Keys to Success” with the lives of the pupils by instilling values such as belief, determination, people skills and time management.

Darren Campbell, Ambassador of Sky Sport Living for Sport, added: “We are delighted that we have such a talented and motivating pool of athletes to support our programme this year.

“They are an inspiring group of individuals who are already looking forward to visiting schools, 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.”

Independent research published in September 2010 by the Institute of Youth Sport at Loughborough University, highlighted the success of the scheme, with 96 per cent of projects judged by teachers to have been either successful or very successful.

Through the project, pupils take part in a range of sporting activities to help achieve personal goals. As they build on their skills and confidence, they also get the chance to create a sports event themselves.

The research revealed that around three quarters of pupils were perceived to have enjoyed their projects and benefited from being involved, as well as showing improved attitudes towards others and increased engagement in school life - the biggest transformation being in pupils selected because they experienced low self-esteem and/or self-worth.

To date, 27,000 young people in over 1100 schools have benefited since the initiative became available to every secondary school in the country.

The ambition of the project is for 2,012 secondary schools to register with Sky Sports Living for Sport by the 2012 Olympics 2012 and to build the activities put in place as part of the initiative into curricular and extracurricular programmes

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

23.11.10

Two sets of primary school children from contrasting north west backgrounds will be united in the trip of a lifetime at Twickenham this Saturday when they take part in a tag rugby curtain raiser ahead of the England and South Africa international.

Bleak Hill Primary School, located in urban St Helens, will take on St Bees Village Primary School from West Cumbria, a rural outpost of the game.

Nobody envies year 6 teacher and rugby coach Chris Martin, whose job it will be to select the team for the big day.

RFU community rugby coach John Foster said: “Chris has been in charge of rugby at Bleak Hill for over 20 years and I’m thrilled that his efforts have been recognised.

“He recently brought no less than seven teams to a tag rugby festival at LSH’s Moss Lane ground and it was clear that there is some outstanding talent coming through the ranks in primary schools in general and at Bleak Hill in particular.”

St Bees Village School is led by John Wood, who sees sport as a big part of his school’s activities, with breakfast and after-school clubs an integral part of the day.

The school have been participating in the local RFU rugby development programmes since the introduction of coaches in 2001 and have built tag rugby into their list of activities.

“The pupils are a pleasure to work with and are extremely receptive to the coaching that they receive from members of my team.” said RFU development officer Liam Nicholls: “They have progressed as a school over the past nine years, regularly featuring in finals of their local competition.

“Due to the way that the kids are taught basic movement skills in the curriculum they tend to produce some very good all round athletes.”

17.11.10

Thirty different winners from ten categories were celebrating after the Aviva and Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards at Wembley.

David English – founder of the Bunbury Cricket Festival – was the overall winner of the Contribution to School Sport award with former Eirias High School teacher Hillary Humphries highly commended and Flixton Girls High School stalwart Margaret Brown commended.

Needham Market Middle School from Suffolk came out tops in the State School of the Year category with Ysgol David Hughes (Menai Bridge) and The Bishop’s Stortford High School rounding out the top three.

Needham Market’s school sport co-ordinator David Hall, PE teacher Jessica Finbow and head of PE Kevin Cook were all on hand to pick up the accolade.

Kevin said: “To win the award is fantastic for the school. It is a celebration of the hard work of all pupils and all of the staff. The school works hard to have a range of activities for all the pupils and to get the award is fantastic for all the school.”

Sprint star Mark Lewis-Francis - who claimed individual 100m silver and relay gold at last month’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi - handed Needham Market their gong and was quick pay tribute to the event.

“I think school sport is really important to help kids grow and develop in the right way,” said Olympic champion Lewis-Francis – who also claimed European Championship silver in Barcelona earlier this year.

“When I was a kid I sometimes got in a bit of trouble but sport helped me to focus on school and to enjoy it as well. I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for what my school did for me.”

Whitgift School from Croydon was handed the title of Independent School of the Year with Victoria College (Jersey) and Repton School (Derby) also in the top three.

Middlesbrough swimmer Aimee Willmott, 17, was crowned Female Student of the Year having jetted off to both the Commonwealth Games and European Championships in 2010.

Willmott, a Nunthorpe School pupil, pipped Exeter’s St Luke’s Science and Sports College rower Molly Billingsley and St Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls, Palmers Green, sprint star Bianca Williams to the crown.

She said: “I have had an amazing year and I have really enjoyed everything I have experienced so to round it off by winning this award is fantastic.

“My results in the pool this year have been great and they helped me to win the award at School Sport Matters and so it is just a great end to the year.”

Two-time Youth Olympic Games medallist David Bolarinwa (Ravensbourne School) scooped the male equivalent with Harry Martin (Ipswich School) and Wolverhampton Wanderers footballer Johnny Gorman (Repton School) respectively highly commended and commended.

Winner Bolarinwa said: “It’s been a really good year for me. Going to Singapore was a fantastic experience and I really enjoyed that. To then come back from there and win this award is absolutely great for me.”

North Berwick High School’s Mike De Busk came out on top in the School Sport Teacher of the Year with Tadley Horizon School’s Gareth Green and Terry Graves (The Greneway School) completing the top three.

Southfield School, Bradford, took victory in the Excellence in Disabled Sport category with table tennis player Jack Hunter-Spivey (Saints Peter & Paul Catholic College, Widnes) and athlete Glenn Scott (Kingsley College, Redditch) the other winners.

Southfield, who offer pupils the chance to try a variety of sports ranging from swimming through to dancing and rock climbing, were presented the award for Excellence in Disabled Sport by Olympic champion Duncan Goodhew and war hero Major Phil Packer.

Director of sport Barry Holden - who saw 80 per cent of his pupils take part in inter-school sport last year - collected the prize and said: “We are dedicated to giving our pupils three hours of sport each week, which is well above the guidelines.

“We believe in the value of sport and how it can improve people’s lives and we are certainly seeing the benefits of the work we have done.”

Norlington School for Boys, from Leyton, saw their year 10 cricketers come out on top in the School Team of the Year with Sedbergh School’s 1st XV rugby team (highly commended) and Wilmslow High School’s U16 netball outfit (commended) also recognised.

Churchill Community College won the Specialist Sports College of the Year award ahead of Rye Hills School and Budehaven Community School.

Churchill, based in Wallsend, were picked out for helping pupils from a high area of unemployment and deprivation achieve 85 per cent grade C or above in BTEC Sport or GCSE PE.

Head of PE Emma Duckworth, who collected the award with director of sport Lucy Roderick and year 13 student Rebecca Napier, admitted the trip to Wembley was one she would never forget.

“I think we showed that no matter what a pupil’s ability or social background was we give them every possible chance to succeed through sport,” said Emma.

“We try to create lots of different opportunities and more than half of our students take part in five hours of physical activity each week.

“We offer lots of different sports and the award is a great recognition of all the hard work that both the staff and the pupils have put in to making the school a success.”

Winner of the Aviva Unsung Hero award Derek Steward came out on top ahead of Eartha Pond (Westminster Academy) and Joanne Perry (Our Lady & St John Catholic Arts College, Blackburn).

At 76, he still teaches the sixth form at Highams Park School in North London. Derek said: “I never ever go to bed at night not looking forward to work in the morning.”

Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell and silver medallist Iwan Thomas were the hosts at a glittering ceremony at the home of football, which was also attended by newly-crowned Commonwealth Games heptathlon champion Louise Hazel, 1966 World Cup winner George Cohen and Olympic silver medallist Gail Emms.

The Aviva and Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards recognise outstanding achievement in school sport and represent part of Aviva’s commitment to give all children the opportunity to get active by 2012 through the Aviva Academy.

For further details visit aviva.co.uk/athletics

16.11.10

Entries are being accepted for next year’s English Schools Curling Competition at Fenton’s Rink in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

And schools who wish to take part are being offered five coaching sessions to prepare for the event.

The coaching will take place at Fenton’s Rink near Tunbridge Wells, usually from 4pm to 5.45pm, but other timings are possible.

Sessions are available to be booked from Monday to Friday, from now until the championships to be held from March 21-25.

Twelve teams took part in the 2010 finals which were won by St Gregory’s School, Tunbridge Wells.

For further information email curlinginkent@hotmail.com

16.11.10

A new £600,000 floodlit 3G pitch has been opened at Ashlyns School in Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire.

BerkoAstro, part-funded by the Football Foundation, will be used by the school to expand its sports provision and by Berkhamsted Raiders CFC.

The official opening was conducted by former Watford, AC Milan and England favourite Luther Blissett.

16.11.10

Oundle School U16 netball team qualified for the regional finals of the national championships after winning the Northampton county competition.

Oundle defeated Campion School 17-1, Bishop Stopford School 12-1, hosts Northampton High School 8-2, Wellingborough 9-4 and Manor School 13-2.

15.11.10

The judges have met, the votes have been counted – now meet the winners of the 2010 School Sport Magazine Awards.

Eight titles were up for grabs this year and, unlike other awards, ours are given out for sporting achievement in school-related competitions.

One thing for certain is that it’s been a bumper year for sporting excellence and achievement in state schools.

But one school, who picked up a hat-trick of national titles, are the worthy winners of the School Sport Magazine State Sports School Of The Year, sponsored by Mark Harrod Ltd.

Barking Abbey School, from Essex, were crowned national U18 netball champions while their boys picked up the national ESFA U18 football crown.

And to cap a fantastic year for the Essex sports college, Barking’s girls triumphed in both the U16 and U19 national schools basketball championships.

Judges agreed: “Barking Abbey have shown a degree of commitment to excellence that is second to none. To achieve national titles at three different sports in the same year is a fantastic achievement.”

One of the most keenly contested awards is the Ram Sports-sponsored Independent Sports School Of The Year.

And last year’s winners Whitgift, from Croydon in Surrey, came close to being crowned victors for the second successive year.

Whitgift arguably surpassed their achievements of last year by bring crowned Daily Mail RBS U18 rugby union cup winners, ESCA U11 hardball cricket champions, ESFA U12 soccer victors, U16 indoor boys hockey winners and U13 boys biathlon champions.

But congratulations to Millfield School, from Somerset, who, in the eyes of the judges, surpassed even those accomplishments and are therefore deemed worthy winners.

Among their list of national titles were triumphs in the ESCA Lords Taverners U15 cricket trophy, the ESAA girls U15 Track and Field Cup and the Rosslyn Park rugby union national schools sevens.

There was also the national schools U15 and U19 squash championships and five titles at the English Schools Swimming Championships - not to mention national success in tennis and golf.

In the words of the judges’ panel: “Millfield’s range of success in a number of sports and diverse competitions meant they have raised the bar and fully deserve the award.”

Primary school sport is flourishing if the 121 entries to our Primary Sports School Of The Year award, sponsored by Bishop Sports, is anything to go by.

And if you are looking for a team that achieved above and beyond the usual call of duty then look no further than this year’s winners Oakley Church of England Junior School, from Hampshire.

Their girls’ cricket team were crowned national U11 Kwik Cricket champions in July at Derbyshire County Cricket Ground.

Yet none of the girls had played the game outside school before this summer – and of the squad of ten, only one was a year six pupil – so they will all be around to defend their title next summer.

Deputy headteacher Steve Rich said: “Their dedication and commitment to achieve at the highest level is remarkable. They practise at school for five hours a week during every break and every lunchtime. I am proud of their commitment and inspired by their desire to improve.”

Celebrating success and extolling the excellence of girls’ sport is taken very seriously at School Sport Magazine.

So one school in particular are worthy winners of this year’s Girls’ Sports Team Of The Year, sponsored by Davies Sports.

That is Castleford High School, whose U12, U13, U14 and U15 girls’ rugby league teams completed a clean sweep of national titles at this year’s Carnegie Champion Schools Finals.

To win a national schools competition is the pinnacle of achievement for any team.

To do so in a competition that traditionally has been dominated by independent schools with their plethora of resources is exceptional.

For that reason, the winner of this year’s Boys’ Sports Team Of The Year, sponsored by Huck Nets, is Wilmslow High School, from Cheshire, who beat the odds to land this year’s Daily Mail RBS U15 Rugby Union Cup.

The team defeated a talented Wellington College in an exciting final at Twickenham having previously beaten some of the best rugby schools in the country, including QEGS Wakefield, Bedford School and Manchester Grammar.

It is those sports teachers who go above and beyond the usual call of duty who do more than anything to inspire our next generation.

Just such unsung service has led Kristie Donovan, of Kings Langley School in Hertfordshire to win this year’s prestigious Sports Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Crazy Catch.

Over the last five years, Kristie has given up a considerable amount of her own time to develop girls' football within both the school, the district and the county.

Nominated by John Annett, learning leader for sport at King’s Langley, Kristie manages four girls teams at school, runs competitions, leads coaching courses – and even helps run boys’ fixtures on Saturday mornings.

John says: “It goes without saying that without the excellent level of commitment and dedication shown by her, then the level of activities available to pupils at Kings Langley and within Hertfordshire would not be as high.”

Breaking school records that have stood for many years – in this case all the way back to 1866 - don’t happen every day.

When doing so coincides with helping your school to national success, it makes the achievement all the more memorable.

So congratulations to Bedford School’s James Kettleborough for landing the prestigious Sporting Schoolboy of the Year, sponsored by Maude Sports.

This year, James broke England batsman Alastair Cook’s all-time 1st XI run-scoring record and smashed a huge 156 runs to help his side to success in School Sport Magazine’s inaugural U17 National Schools Cup final.

Last, but by no means least, the winner of the Sporting Schoolgirl of the Year award, also sponsored by Maude Sports, goes to our youngster-ever victor.

Eight-year-old Emma-Louise Stilwell, from Naphill and Walters Ash Combined School in High Wycombe, beat allcomers to land a host of national schools cycling titles throughout 2010.

Emma-Louise triumphed in a range of disciplines from hard track, mountainbike, roller racing and cyclo-cross championships. Watch out for her in the future.

All our winners will receive sports equipment or clothing from our award sponsors.

12.11.10

Britain’s greatest ever Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave has taken a sideswipe at the Government for its savage cuts to school sport.

Last month the Department for Education announced it is cutting the £162million investment in school sport from next year, which includes funding for a network of school sport partnerships.

But Sir Steve said: “In these difficult economic times it would be easy to see how school sport could become less of a priority.

“However, sport has a unique ability to transform lives. It can build self esteem and confidence in young people. It can increase achievement and attainment at school and it plays a huge part in ensuring young people lead healthy, active lives.”

Sir Steve was speaking at the launch of clothing giant Matalan’s partnership with the Youth Sport Trust (YST) to start up a new initiative to get more young people taking part in sports.

The launch, at Sport City, Manchester, involved 200 school children taking part in some of the exciting sports that the programme will deliver, including Parkour, the free-running craze.

The Matalan Sporting Promise aims to get kids active by providing support to schools on two levels.

At primary level, it provides resource and training that will help teachers to deliver high quality PE and sport.

It also aims to re-engage those secondary school pupils who are not attracted to traditional sports by offering a range of new and exciting sporting choices.

More than 3,000 schools and 15,000 teachers will benefit in the first year, with a view to covering a huge number of schools over the next three years.

With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games less than two years away, five-time Olympic Champion Sir Steve Redgrave believes that, despite the economic challenges the country currently faces, there has never been a more important time to be increasing sporting opportunities for young people.

He added: “Matalan Sporting Promise is all about getting more youngsters involved in PE and sport.

“It’s about giving them the very best opportunities to access sport and make sure that sport is delivered in a way that’s fun and enjoyable for young people of all ages and abilities.

“The partnership between Matalan and the Youth Sport Trust shows we can, and should, continue to support and invest in school sport.”

11.11.10

Twelve of the best sports students in Newcastle have been granted sports bursaries by the city’s school sport partnership.

The talented pupils have been recognised as gifted and talented in the award-winning ‘One of Us’ programme, created by the Newcastle School Sport Partnership (NSSP), which delivers high quality PE and sport to 37,000 children in the city.

‘One of Us’, which began last year, has already been recognised with an award from the Youth Sport Trust for the way it has sought to motivate and encourage PE and sporting talent within schools.

Sport Newcastle has again awarded bursaries of £150 to each of the twelve students whose talents range from figure skating and gymnastics to table tennis and rowing.

Joyce Matthews, the NSSP’s partnership development manager, handed out branded kit and clothing to each young person in recognition of their achievements this year.

She explained: “One of Us’ is an aspirational campaign to encourage young people to get involved in sport and physical activity.

“For example, by using Commonwealth Games, Olympic medallists and high calibre coaches as role models, we want to encourage our young people to follow their dreams supported by the NSSP.

“The selected twelve have been chosen not only to represent the NSSP and Newcastle schools, but to show the world what they can do as the 2012 Olympics draw ever nearer.”

The twelve students are: Levi Williams (basketball) Heaton Manor; Lauren Short (basketball) Heaton Manor; Jacob McDonald (skiing) St Cuthberts; Meagan Convery (gymnastics) Sacred Heart; Jessica Walmsley (gymnastics) Sacred Heart; Abbey Joice (football) Kenton; Ryan Richardson (table tennis) Kenton; Dean Richardson (table tennis) Kenton; Nico Guiliani (judo) Walbottle; Stacey Howden (cheerleading) Benfield; Nicole Kortenbach (figure skating) Heaton Manor and Rachel Laidler (rowing) Heaton Manor.

All twelve will be invited to showcase their talents during National School Sport Week next year.

They will also attend monthly drop-in sessions for the group at Sport Central to help them develop a positive attitude to gain that extra edge in their personal performances.

9.11.10

Young sports ambassadors are to run across the country to campaign against the devastating cuts to school sport partnerships.

Hundreds of pupils are planning the mass run to deliver a petition to Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education, urging that he thinks again about the cuts.

Their move follows the announcement by the department of education to slash £160m worth of funding to the country’s 450 school sport partnerships from next year.

Critics says the slashing of the entire SSP budget will reverse the rejuvenation of sport in schools over the last ten years.

Debbie Foote, 17, chair of the Young Ambassador Steering Group, said: “As Young Ambassadors, we encourage the participation of healthy, active lifestyles, inspiring young people in SSPs through the power of London 2012.

“Through my role, I have had so many fantastic opportunities and developed skills that have set me up for the rest of my life.

“When I found out about the cuts, I was devastated and wanted to raise the profile of the SSPs and their importance to the development of young people.

“The Young Ambassadors will run across the country and have a target of one million signatures for our petition.

“We are then planning a march in central London, where there will be 2000 young people gathering, and I will be delivering the petition to the Department of Education.”

5.11.10

This year's 30th English Schools Cross Country Cup Finals will take place at the superb setting of Alnwick Castle, Alnwick in Northumberland on Saturday December 4.

Six hundred runners will descend on the home of Hogwarts for four different national age-group finals - boys and girls U14 and U16 events.

At least 1400 school teams took part in county events last month with eight regional finals taking place throughout November.

The national final pits the leading three teams in each region against each other - 24 teams in each final.

Teams comprise six athletes with the first four counting towards their team’s total.

The first race will start at 1pm with presentations starting at about 3.15pm in the Guest Hall of Alnwick Castle.

3.11.10

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, today urged head teachers to take up the slack in PE funding caused by the slashing of the school sport partnership programme.

Mr Hunt said heads should continue to invest in school sport because they have been given more money to spend.

Critics however insist that sport and PE will suffer because heads will be tempted to spend their elsewhere.

Up to now, the £160m annual funding for school sport partnerships has been ringfenced leading to a huge huge for sports provision for young people in schools in recent years.

But the recent announcement that funding was to be slashed from August 2011 has sent shockwaves across the school sport community.

Mr Hunt said today: "I would want headteachers to continue to invest in school sport and PE and I'm sure they will."

But Paul Goodley, partnership development manager for the Amber Valley School Sport Partnership based at Swanwick School & Sports College in Derbyshire, summed up the views of PDMs everywhere.

He said: “We are extremely alarmed that The Department for Education’s decision to remove £160m funding for the School Sport Partnership network will put not just the 2012 London Olympic Games Legacy at risk but the future and aspirations of all our young people.

“The removal of this funding will leave a huge void in the up-skilling of teachers in physical education, in the competitions and activities organised and delivered locally (which in the Amber Valley alone amounts to 140 events this year) and in the plans of local authorities and national governing bodies of sport who come to rely on the dedication, enthusiasm and innovative approaches of school sport partnerships to get more young people more active.

“Michael Gove describes school sport partnerships as a centralised government blueprint. We question whether Mr Gove has actually visited a school sport partnership given his apparent lack of understanding?

“It’s a partnership of local people employed by local schools using the power of sport to engage, enthuse and inspire young people. We are the Conservatives’ ‘Big Society’ in action.”

School Sport Magazine is backing the campaign to keep the partnership programme open and will be covering reaction to the cuts in a series of articles in our next edition out on November 15.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the debate, please get in touch via info@schoolsportmag.co.uk

Any partnership development manager or school sport co-ordinator who would like to contribute to a regular website blog about how the change will affect you and what effect it will have in the coming months, please also email us.

29.10.10

Entries have opened for the second School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup 2011.

The competition, which will again be open to all state and independent schools with sixth forms as well as sixth form colleges, will run throughout the 2011 summer term between April and July with the final in September.

Open to boys aged U17 on August 31 2010, the 40-over competition will be run on a regional basis in the early rounds to avoid excess travel, played in midweek and will be open to schools and colleges in England, Wales and Scotland.

The closing date for entries will be February 15 2011 after which the draw will be made and sent to all competing schools.

But as this season’s competition was over-subscribed, entries will be restricted and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Endorsed by one of school cricket’s greatest supporters David English, a full list of rules and regulations is posted on the website www.schoolsportmag.co.uk where results and match reports are regularly updated.

This year's exciting final was a classic independent v state school affair with Bedford School defeating Preston's Myerscough College last month.

All enquiries and enquiries can be made via info@schoolsportmag.co.uk

25.10.10

School sport partnerships have taken home six national awards for sporting excellence – at the same time as the Government announced £160m worth of funding cuts.

Sutton, Haydock, Holmfirth, Chadsgrove, Granville, St Luke’s and Langdon Park SSPs were all innovation award winners at the 2010 School Sport Partnership Conference at Telford, organised by the Youth Sport Trust.

But their joy has turned to despair at the news of the wholesale cuts to the Youth Sport Trust and the partnership programme which are planned to take effect from August 2011.

School Sport Magazine will be publishing full feature articles on both the funding cuts and the award winners in our next edition next month.

What do you think of the cuts? How will it affect you? Email us at schoolsportmag.co.uk with your views.

20.10.10

Four of the country’s oldest rugby schools are taking part in a unique tournament this Saturday October 23 called Veterrimi IV or V4.

Rugby School, Cheltenham College, Sherborne School and Durham School will meet at Durham Schoo,

The brainchild of Durham School’s director of sport Ben Mason, the overall winner will be presented with a trophy from the RFU president Richard Appleby.

20.10.10

A record number of entries for this year’s Center Parcs National Schools Badminton Championships is anticipated this season.

Already the largest schools badminton event in Europe, Badminton England are hoping to top last year’s entry of 1,600 schools and 23,000 pupils.

With the deadline for this event set for October 29, Eric Brown, chair of the schools and youth board for Badminton England, said: “Last year’s championships attracted a record breaking number of entrants from schools across England and was a huge success.

“The quality of play gets better every year and we are looking forward to another highly competitive championships this year.

“With the incentive of competing in the finals weekend at a fantastic venue, the Center Parcs National Schools Championships is truly one of the finest school sports events in the UK.”

Organisers anticipating that the number of schools involved this season will top 1,800 with more than 25,000 children heading onto court during the championships.

With badminton being played in more than a third of all school sport halls across England, and with more than 20% of 11-15 year olds picking up a racket each month, badminton continues to be one of the most popular sports amongst children in, and out, of school time.

The aim of the Center Parcs National Schools Championships is to create a ‘best in class’ event that provides schools across England with a high-level competitive badminton opportunity to assist with the development of teamwork and social skills.

As well as looking to build on the quality of competitive badminton played in, and between, schools the championships will also give badminton’s talent identification process a real boost with the chance to review the true potential of such a large number of children in action.

There are four categories within the 2010-2011 competition, which is open to both boys and girls between the years 7 and 11 - boys years 7/8/9, boys years 10/11, girls years 7/8/9 and girls years 10/11.

The championships consist of five rounds with matches commencing in November.

During the next seven months more than 1,800 schools will be whittled down to just 36 who will contest the national final, to be held at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest, over the weekend of the April 2/3.

Martin Dalby, CEO at Center Parcs, said: “The Center Parcs National Schools Championships just keeps getting bigger and better so we’re already looking forward to hosting the finals for a third time next year.

“I’d like to wish all the schools who are taking part in this year’s championships the very best of luck.”

Schools wishing to take part in this year’s championships should visit www.badmintonengland.co.uk/nationalschoolschampionships for more details on how to enter.

18.10.10

Secondary schools are being invited to apply for a bursary of £500 each from the Thomas Lang Schools Bursary scheme, set up by the Ski Club of Great Britain.

Schools can use the bursary to give students who may not have had the chance before, the opportunity to try snow sports.

Typically the bursary will fund a place for a child on a school ski trip, a class outing to a UK snow slope or to help to buy clothing and ski accessories for children who need financial support.

Founded in 2007, the bursary award scheme was set up by the Ski Club of Great Britain when money was left by club member Thomas Lang when he died, and is designed to encourage and help children to discover the magic of skiing.

Schools can apply online and they will automatically be placed into a pool of entries. Six schools will then be drawn at random and asked to submit their reasons for applying for the money.

Mark Bush, managing director of SkiBound, said: “We feel passionately that all students should have the opportunity to ski. Thomas Lang has left a legacy for budding young skiers and we commend the Ski Club of Great Britain for helping students realise their dreams.

“Even in this tough economic climate where school and household budgets have been stretched to the max, there are still ways to get less affluent students out on the slopes.

“We are urging teachers to act now if they want their students to be considered for free places for the 2011/12 ski season as competition is stiff.

“Ski trips are a fantastic way of learning outside the classroom. As well as keeping students fit, they gain an exposure to foreign languages in a healthy mountain setting, and can even gain an environmental awareness by studying the glaciers around them.

“Exhilarated by their week away, students attending SkiBound trips regularly go home equipped with increased self confidence and team building skills, both invaluable to furthering their education and well being.”

The deadline for entries is 29 October 2010. To apply, visit www.skiclub.co.uk/schoolsbursary

8.10.10

A former Olympic athlete has launched an initiative to develop sporting talent within schools.

Diane Modahl, the 1990 Commonwealth Games 800m champion, has started the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation, a charitable scheme aimed at shaping potential stars of the future.

The Foundation will work with secondary schools to help them to identify sporting, particularly athletic, talent amongst young people and to nurture that talent.

It will establish community sports academies, with high-quality coaching, within school premises that can be used by young people.

Diane said: “Many children in the UK, who may have the potential to compete at the highest level in sports, cannot access the training and facilities they need to realise this potential, due to high costs, lack of transport and lack of support.

“As someone who was spotted by a volunteer coach, by chance, during a PE lesson, I know how important it is for someone to identify your talent and give you a chance.

“It was only through the generosity of others that I managed to develop my ability and now I want to ensure as many children as possible have this opportunity.”

Initially launching in the Greater Manchester area, the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation aims to reach 1,000 potential young athletes within 100 local communities by 2015.

7.10.10

A new £553,000 3G football pitch will be unveiled next Wednesday October 13 at Witchford Village College in Witchford, Cambridgeshire.

The state-of-the-art playing surface will be available for pupils and 50 teams within the community thanks to a £121,000 grant from the Football Foundation.

Ann-Marie Latham, director of sport at Witchford Village College, said: “The response from the students towards the new football facility has been fantastic, with many students accessing the pitch at lunchtime to practice and further develop their skills.

“In addition, the partner clubs from Witchford and Cambridge are making extensive use of the facility for training throughout the week.”

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation said: “We are delighted that the college and clubs within the local community will have access to these fantastic new facilities and commend the college and the Cambridgeshire County FA for their hard work in making this happen.”

6.10.10

Pupils in nine different parts of the country will be the first to take part in a new Olympic and Paralympic-style school sports competition, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced today.

They will be piloting a new national school sports competition which will see young people competing within their own schools and against other local schools in a wide range of sports, including Olympic and Paralympic disciplines.

The scheme will culminate in a national competition in 2012 in the Olympic Park, with formal opening and closing ceremonies and medals.

Schools in the Black Country, London, Cornwall, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire and Tyne and Wear will pilot the competition from early next year, culminating in local finals in each county during summer 2011.

The experience of children taking part in the pilots will help finalise plans for the nationwide event in 2012.

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, said: “Win or lose – competitive sport teaches children important life lessons – in commitment, discipline and teamwork.

“Our new Olympic-style school sports competition will spark a revolution in school sport, and leave a lasting legacy from London’s Games.

“Schools in the pilot areas I have announced today will help us develop a nationwide competition.

“We want to involve as many schools and young people as possible, so that children of all abilities and ages are able to take part and strive to be the best that they can be.”

The competition is a key part of the Government's plans for a lasting sporting legacy from hosting the London 2012 Games and to maximise the sporting opportunities available to all.

The Government will be working closely with sports governing bodies to finalise the details of the new competition, building on the good work many of them are already doing in school sport.

Schools will compete against each other in leagues at a local level from 2011 with winning athletes and teams qualifying for area finals.

Schools will be encouraged to host in-house Olympic-style sports days for children of all abilities.

There will also be a Paralympic element at every level of the competition for young people with disabilities.

5.10.10

School sport has benefitted to the amount of £100m thanks to the Sainsbury’s Active Kids campaign, it was revealed today

The biggest donation of its kind into schools and youth organisations by a retailer, the Active Kids scheme now acts as a key resource for more than 45,000 organisations.

Sainsbury’s CEO Justin King joined Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, junior British record holder and sprinting sensation Jodie Williams and Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds to celebrate the £100 million milestone with children and teachers from Bourneville Junior School.

Joanne Sweeney, PE co-ordinator at Bourneville Junior School, said: “The Active Kids equipment we have received this year has allowed us to extend our netball club across two year groups and we’re now able to offer many lunchtime activities.

“As we are a large school, we now have even more resources to help deliver our PE curriculum more effectively.”

Jeremy Hunt added: “It’s fantastic to see how one of the UK’s leading supermarkets contributes to the community in the way that Sainsbury’s has with Active Kids.

“Through the Active Kids scheme Sainsbury’s plays an invaluable role in supporting local schools, charities and community groups across the country.”

Starting in 2005, the scheme has donated over £100 million worth of sports equipment and experiences to schools, nurseries, scout and guide groups as well as Clubmark-accredited sports clubs up and down the country.

Active Kids has contributed to an increase in activity levels of young people, with 55% now taking part in three hours of physical education and school sport in 2009/10, an increase of 5% on 2008/09.

From skipping ropes and spatulas to gym kits and golf clubs and even fridges and footballs, this year alone there have been more than 5,000 new registrations (up 6% on last year) and overall, close to 400 million vouchers have been issued (up 11.5% on last year).

Jodie and Ellie will become new ambassadors for the Active Kids scheme, helping to raise awareness of the scheme up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond - appearing in Active Kids advertising and attending Active Kids events.

4.10.10

The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools' Rugby Union Cup moves into its crucial inaugural group stage this month.

Two initial qualification rounds have separated the top schools into two distinct Cup and Plate competitions, which now enter a group stage, with the top schools from each pool progressing into the knock-out rounds.

The Bowl competition, for emerging schools, will progress through regional rounds before turning national for the quarter-final onwards before all six U16 and U18 competitions come to a head at Murrayfield Stadium for finals day on Saturday 29 January.

Scottish Rugby's head of community rugby Colin Thomson said: “Working with schools and coaches, we have developed a competition structure that enables emerging and developed schools to benefit from the appropriate level of competition at each age group.

“We will continue to monitor results of games at each level to ensure that this format meets the objective of achieving appropriate levels of competition for all schools across Scotland.”

U18 Scottish Schools Cup Pool Stage Draw:

Pool 1: Fettes College, George Heriot's School, Gordonstoun, Stewart's Melville College
Pool 2: Hutchesons' Grammar School, Marr College, North Berwick High School, George Watson's College
Pool 3: Dollar Academy, Madras College, Merchiston Castle School, Robert Gordon's College
Pool 4: Bell Baxter High School, Edinburgh Academy, Loretto School, Strathallan School

U16 Scottish Schools Cup Pool Stage Draw:

Pool 1: Dunbar Grammar School, High School of Dundee, Hutchesons' Grammar School, Madras College
Pool 2: Dollar Academy, High School of Glasgow, North Berwick High School, Stewart's Melville College
Pool 3: Edinburgh Academy, Glasgow Academy, Marr College, Nicolson Institute
Pool 4: Millburn Academy, Banchory Academy, George Watson's College, Robert Gordn's College

U18 Scottish Schools Plate Pool Stage Draw:

Pool 1: Aberdeen Grammar School, Glenalmond College, Gordonstoun School, Nairn Academy
Pool 2: Culloden Academy, Buckhaven High School, High School of Dundee, Kinross High School
Pool 3: Currie/Balerno High School, Dunbar Grammar School, Hawick High School, Jordanhill School
Pool 4: Earlston High School, High School of Glasgow, Kelvinside Academy, Knox Academy
Pool 5: Lomond/Helensburgh, St Aloysius College, Wellington School
Pool 6: Boroughmuir High School composite, Linlithgow Academy composite, Peebles High School
Pool 7: Banchory Academy, Carrick Academy, St Columba's (Kilmacolm)
Pool 8: Preston Lodge High School, Glasgow Academy, Royal High School

U16 Scottish Schools Plate Pool Stage Draw:

Pool 1: Douglas Ewart High School, Hamilton College, Linlithgow Academy composite, Peebles High School
Pool 2: Currie High School, Kelso High School, Loretto School, Preston Lodge High School
Pool 3: Boroughmuir/James Gillespie's, Earlston High School, Galashiels Academy, Knox Academy
Pool 4: George Heriot's School, Hawick High School, Selkirk High School, Royal High School
Pool 5: Culloden Academy, Fortrose Academy, Kirkwall Grammar School, Plockton High School
Pool 6: Aberdeen Grammar School, Aboyne Academy, Gordon Schools, Mearns Academy
Pool 7: Bell Baxter High School, Buckhaven High School, Kinross High School, TCS Auchterarder
Pool 8: Cathkin High School, Lomond/Helensburgh, St Aloysius College, St Andrew's RC Secondary
Pool 9: Gordonstoun School, Mackie Academy, Nairn Academy, Perth Academy

1.10.10

Faye White, captain of England and Arsenal Ladies’ football teams, will officially open a new Football Foundation-funded artificial grass pitch at an all-girls school in London.

The event is taking place at 2pm on Monday 11 October at Coloma Convent Girls’ School, in Upper Shirley Road, Croydon.

Faye will host a special 20-minute training session for around 30 of the school’s aspiring female stars.

She will then do a Q&A, giving her insight from eight years of captaining England, winning European trophies with Arsenal and her thoughts on the women’s game.

28.9.10

Pupils who fancy themselves as the next Rio Ferdinand or Faye White are being encouraged to pull on their boots and enter the npower Football League Kids Cup and Girls Cup.

Schools across the country have until October 8 to sign up for both cups by entering their local competition, in the hope of winning the chance to represent the club at the regional, and then later area and national phases of the competitions.

The best sides will then battle it out in front of thousands of fans before one of The Football League’s showpiece finals.

TV presenter Ben Shephard said at the launch today: “For some of the kids taking part, the npower Football League Kids Cup or Girls Cup could be the touch of the ball that starts it all off.

“We could see a future Football League and national star take to the pitch in the Kids Cup – watch this space!”

Faye White, who has been representing England since 1997, added: “Competitions like the npower Football League Kids Cup are an excellent opportunity to get kids together enjoying football and sharpening up their team skills.

“For female footballers the Girls Cup is a huge opportunity to play against, learn from and mix with likeminded sportswomen.

“Giving girls the chance to take to the pitch at Wembley Stadium is a real coup for the Girls Cup, I’ll be looking forward to hearing how the finalists get on under the famous arch.”

Schools wishing to enter the competition should contact their local Football League club. For details visit www.football-league.co.uk

Clare McDougall, npower’s head of education and community, said: “npower is really proud to provide opportunities for young people to get into football. Encouraging a bit of healthy competition amongst kids is great for building their self-confidence and who knows, we may even be nurturing a few future pro players too.”

Greg Clarke, chairman of The Football League, added: “The npower Football League Kids Cup and Girls Cup are fantastic ways of encouraging schoolchildren to take part in competitive sport as well as offering them the chance of a lifetime to play in front of thousands of fans.”

24.9.10

Brentwood School enjoyed a fantastic finale to their cricket season by picking up three Essex county cups.

Rishi Patel top-scored with 54 and completed 1057 runs for the season as the U12s qualified for next season’s David English Bunbury U13 national finals by beating Chelmsford’s King Edward VI Grammar School by seven runs.

The U14s reached next year’s national stages of the Lords Taverners U15 Trophy after Harry Levy (97) and Reece Hussain (69) led their side to a seven-wicket victory over Coopers Company and Coborn School.

And Brentwood’s U13s made it a hat-trick of September trophies by overcoming King Edward VI Grammar School by 73 runs thanks to four wickets from Saurav Prabhakar.

23.9.10

Tennis is proving a huge hit in schools with eighty per cent now offering the sport, according to a new report.

The figure has grown from 79% last year and is up from 70% over the seven years of the survey - the biggest percentage increase of any of the top ten sports – say statistics published by the Department for Education.

The percentage of schools with links to one or more local tennis clubs has also increased significantly, from 42% last year to 47% in the 2009/10 School Sport Survey.

Alongside dance and swimming, this means tennis has also seen one of the biggest increases in school-club links in the last year.

Paul Regan, head of education at the Tennis Foundation, said: “These figures highlight once again that tennis is an accessible sport to the large majority of children. We are delighted to see the increase in its availability and in school-club links.

“Going forward we will continue to identify those schools in non-traditional tennis areas which can benefit most from the AEGON Schools Tennis programme, so that more kids get the chance to play our sport.”

In 2003/04, 70% of schools offered tennis and just 27% of schools had links with tennis clubs.

The past year alone has seen a growth for tennis in the further education sector, which has seen one of the biggest increases in club links, up from 23% in 2008/09 to 31% in 2009/10.

Boosting schools tennis, and encouraging clubs to reach into their communities and local schools are both key priorities for British tennis.

The LTA works in close partnership with the Tennis Foundation in this area and the recent increase is due in part to the success of AEGON Schools Tennis.

This has boosted tennis in more than 8,000 primary schools since its launch in 2009, through free equipment and training for teachers.

The rise was welcomed by LTA chief executive Roger Draper who said: “Tennis is a lifelong sport. It is vitally important that we ensure that those kids who get into tennis at school really enjoy the sport and can develop that passion in local clubs, parks and tennis centres.

“Tennis is an accessible and affordable recreational sport, and these figures reflect that it is also a growing sport in this country. AEGON Schools Tennis and our partnership with the Tennis Foundation’s education team plays a key role in this.”

20.9.10

The annual schools international between England and Scotland was abandoned midway through at Fairhaven Golf Club in Lancashire when heavy and persistent rain made play impossible.

Only the morning foursomes were completed in increasing difficult conditions and with the greens flooding it was decided not to start the singles, leaving England with an overwhelming victory in both boys and girls matches.

Play began in drizzle but as the day progressed so the rain became heavier with the greens staff, officials and some parents fighting a losing battle with the elements.

However, the foursomes were completed with the England boys coming out on top 5-1 and the girls by 3-0.

The only Scottish success came in the top boys contest where Scott Gibson and Bradley Neil, winner of the English U14 Championship a few weeks ago, defeated Max McGrail and Matt Hill 2 and 1.

Otherwise the English pairings were in control, the girls making a clean sweep on their three contests.

It was a case of the English players generally adapting to the conditions better than the Scots, who were fielding a strong side, before the weather eventually won the day.

Results:

Boys - England 5 Scotland 1

Foursomes (England names first): M McGrail & M Hill lost to S Gibson & B Neil 2&1; K Foster & H Ibbertson bt L Johnston & E Scott 5&3; L Cox & A Scrimshaw bt C Stewart & L Allan 1 hole; I Stirling & D Moon bt G Duncan & C MacNeal 4&3; M Collins & S Meek bt J Savage & C Farrell 3&1; T Clements & M Bacon bt N Beattie & D Thopsett 4&3

Girls - England 3 Scotland 0

Foursomes (England names first): B Davies & A Ratcliffe bt R Watton & E Briggs 3&2; A Hewson & R Heeles bt L Atkins & A McKechin 6&4; E Goodall & M MacLaren bt H McCook & G Macdonald 5&4

17.9.10

A new girls’ school rugby union competition has been launched on the back of England women’s World Cup success.

More than 30,000 spectators watched England unluckily lose 13-10 to New Zealand in the final with 13 matches covered on Sky TV.

Now a new schools competition for years 7 and 8 has started as a replacement for the year 7 girls emerging schools programme.

Mark Saltmarsh, the RFU’s national schools development manager, says: “The aim is to have a more focussed approach to growing girl’s participation and to provide a boost through a strong programme in 200-plus secondary schools.

“The schools have been identified in clusters of four or five with an emphasis on providing local matches and then local club links.

“This new competition will see local support from the Youth Sport Trust competition manager network while regional and national finals will provide a great pathway and the chance to play at Twickenham Stadium.

“The new competition will be tag rugby, in line with the new U13 girls rules and regulations, creating a faster, more flexible and less daunting introduction to the game for participating schools and encouraging more girls to get involved.”

For more information, contact your regional women’s rugby development
manager via rfu.com/womens

16.9.10

The National School Sailing Association's Topper Team Racing Championship.will take place on October 2 and 3 at Worcestershire's Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre (UWOEC).

Thirty-two teams of three sailors each will be descending on the centre, near Bromsgrove, along with their supporters and more than 200 races are planned during the two-day event.

Worcestershire's own School Sailing and Canoeing Association (WSSCA) are the defending champions, having claimed victory at last year's event in Northampton and are keen to retain their title, particularly on home turf.

Alistair Hodgson, Worcestershire County Council's UWOEC manager, said: "We are delighted to be hosting this event with the support of the WSSCA and are looking forward to welcoming all the competitors and their supporters to the centre for what should be a great couple of days sailing.

"We will be getting a great deal of support from around fifty volunteers, who will enable us to demonstrate yet again, that this prestigious event can be held on a small lake. I think it is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved here that after the 1998 and 2004 events at Upton Warren, many of the teams were asking when we would be hosting it again."

Further information on the event is available from the National School Sailing Association website www.nssa.org.uk or www.uptonwarren.com

10.9.10

England U18 head coach John Fletcher has started work with the next generation of the game’s international stars.

Fletcher and assistant Peter Walton have put together a 26-man squad for this season’s England age group programme which kicks off against Ireland in December.

They staged their first training camp at Harrow School this month and assemble again at the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey in October before playing Ireland away from home on December 30.

England have won three consecutive Grand Slams and 19 of their last 20 internationals at this level since the summer of 2007, a run ended last month by an agonising 23-17 defeat against South Africa in Port Elizabeth.

And former Newcastle Falcons boss Fletcher will continue to instil the same playing philosophy of attacking with pace and width into his latest crop of teenagers.

"We aspire to play a similar brand of rugby to the last two years, with lots of pace and width and posing as many threats to the opposition as we can in as many areas of the pitch as possible,” Fletcher said.

“The evidence from our summer camps with U16 and U18 players is that the technical and tactical ability continues to improve and that’s to the credit of the regional academies, clubs and schools who do a better job each year.

“We’re continuing to grow our programme with England too – in areas like prehab work, where we look at educating the players more about their bodies, and some of the psychological work we do – and we continue to evolve what we do technically and tactically.

“Our overall philosophy is to have as many attacking options as we can so that when these young players move on with the U20, Saxons and senior England teams, and with their clubs, they have a bigger toolkit to use to go out there and win games.”

England welcome back five players – front row forwards Luke Cowan-Dickie (Truro College & Exeter Chiefs), Nathan Morris (Sedbergh & London Wasps) and Kyle Sinckler (Epsom College & Harlequins), lock Dominic Barrow (Prince Henry’s GS & Leeds Carnegie) and wing Mark Jennings (Myerscough College & Sale Sharks) – who appeared in all of their Six Nations games last season.

Five more took part in July’s three-match tour to South Africa in the shape of lock Tom Jubb (Oaklands College & Saracens), Exeter Chiefs midfield backs Jack Arnott and Sam Hill (both Ivybridge College) and Henry Slade (Plymouth College), and wing/full back Anthony Watson (St George’s College, Weybridge & London Irish).

The RFU’s Head of Elite Player Development Stuart Lancaster paid tribute to the work done throughout the country in schools, in colleges running the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence rugby programme and in the academy system.

Lancaster said: “There is no doubt the quality of players being produced through the academy programme is on the rise and this year’s intake are all great examples of what is being achieved by the educational partnerships that are in place when you look at the balance of players selected from schools and through the AASE programme.

“Everyone is really working hard to maximise the quality of players coming out of the programmes and this group look to have an exciting year ahead of them working with the successful Under 18 management team headed by John Fletcher.”

England U18 squad

Forwards: Dominic Barrow (Prince Henry’s GS & Leeds Carnegie), Jack Clifford (RGS Guildford & Harlequins), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Truro College & Exeter Chiefs), Matt Hankin (Haileybury College & Saracens), Danny Herriott (Moulton College & Northampton Saints), Alec Hepburn (Henley College & London Wasps), Gus Jones (Eton College & London Wasps), Tom Jubb (Oaklands College & Saracens), Nathan Morris (Sedbergh & London Wasps), Tom Price (Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I & Leicester Tigers), George Sandford (St Paul’s Catholic College & London Irish), Kyle Sinckler (Epsom College & Harlequins), David Sisi (St Paul’s Catholic College & London Irish), Tom Smallbone (Harrow & London Irish), Scott Spurling (Harrow & Saracens)

Backs: Jack Arnott (Ivybridge College & Exeter Chiefs), Alex Day (St Joseph’s College & Northampton Saints), Sam Hill (Ivybridge College & Exeter Chiefs), Will Hooley (The Leys & Northampton Saints), Mark Jennings (Myerscough College & Sale Sharks), James Lightfoot-Brown (St Paul’s Catholic College & London Irish), Jack Nowell (Truro College & Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Plymouth College & Exeter Chiefs), Mitchell Tamiau (Twyford CofE HS & London Wasps), Anthony Watson (St George’s College & London Irish), Marcus Webber (Manchester GS & Leeds Carnegie)

9.9.10

A superb century from James Kettleborough saw Bedford School crowned the first-ever winners of the School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup yesterday.

England U18 international Kettleborough led from the front by smashing a scintillating 156 – the highest individual score of the competition – against brave runners-up Myerscough College, from Preston.

In damp, overcast conditions at Cumnor Cricket Club near Oxford, the talented batsman hit the mammoth score off just 94 balls to help Bedford reach 279-8 off their 40 overs, another competition record.

Kettleborough, who beat England star Alistair Cook’s all-time individual record run total for the school 1st XI this season, was supported by Tim Graham (33) and Charlie Thurston (28) during his epic knock.

But when he was out – caught on the mid-wicket boundary going for another six – Myerscough fought back well to grab eight wickets, led by captain Jordan Hughes’s leg-spin (2-29).

Bedford, who almost lost to Shenfield High School, from Essex in the quarter final and only won off the last ball in the semi-final against Portsmouth Grammar School last week, started the match as favourites.

As well as Kettleborough, they could boast fellow England U18 all-rounder Christian Davis, who made his debut for Northamptonshire this summer, and 15-year-old off-spinner Vicram Sohal, who is on a four-year England development path, in their ranks.

But Myerscough, who won five tough rounds to reach the final, provided a never-say-die attitude throughout the day.

The Preston sixth-form college attract some of the best state-school cricketers in the north-west by offering ten-hours of coaching a week alongside specialist cricket-orientated sports courses.

And Fayaz Ughradar, one of their leading batsmen, started their reply in style with a fine 34 against some tight Bedford bowling.

Always behind the run-rate, Wesley Liptrott enjoyed some lusty blows in his 41 but other Myerscough batsmen perished in their bid for quick runs.

Henry Morecroft snared three wickets for nine runs in only seven overs as Myerscough eventually succumbed to 136-9 – beaten by the better team on the day by 143 runs and one extraordinary innings but determined to return next year for another bid for glory.

Entry forms for next year’s U17 Cup will be sent out later this term. To pre-register your interest and guarantee a place in the draw which is limited as a one-term competition, just email info@schoolsportmag.co.uk

Pictures from the day are available via www.photosunlimited.org.uk

Bedford School: James Kettleborough (captain).Charlie Thurston. Christian Davis. Jonny McDuell. Tim Graham. Ash Patel. Jack Goldberg. Adam Abbott (wk). Vicram Sohal. Mark Edmunds. Henry Morecroft. Henry Banks

Myerscough College: Jordan Hughes (captain). Fayaz Ughradar. Callum Jones. Ryan Ridehalgh. Aaron Elgees. Michael Birchall. Ben Willis. Steven Beck. Marcus Dawson. Matthew Dawson. Wesley Liptrott

7.9.10

Two contrasting schools will battle it out tomorrow in a bid to be crowned the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket champions.

Bedford School, the former home of England opener Alistair Cook, can boast a superb cricketing tradition as one of the leading establishments on the independent schools' cricket circuit.

Myerscough College, from Preston, represents the new breed of sixth form further education colleges that offer sports courses combined with specialist sports coaching.

Their cricket academy courses with links to Lancashire Cricket Club attract some of the best state school cricketers from the area who come together to combine further education with several hours a week of specific cricket coaching.

Bedford School won their semi final last week in the narrowest of fashions by one wicket off the last ball against Portsmouth Grammar while Myerscough College enjoyed an easier victory over Adams Grammar, from Shropshire.

The final at Cumnor Cricket Club near Oxford starts at 1pm and promises to be a fantastic contest.

3.9.10

Scotland internationalists John Barclay and Simon Webster were the guests of honour yesterday at Glenwood High School at the launch of the 2010/11 Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools' Rugby Union Cup - and an all new competition structure.

The launch marked the tenth year that Brewin Dolphin has sponsored the tournament which has grown to offer a platform for young players to progress to the professional ranks and senior club rugby.

John Barclay lifted the U18 Schools' Cup at Murrayfield on two consecutive occasions, captaining his school, Dollar Academy, the second time round in 2004 - just three years before winning the first of his 21 caps earned so far.

Barclay said: “The Schools Cup brought meaning to school rugby and gave all the pupils something to aspire to. Everyone saw it as the main focus of the season.

"As the tournament went on I remember it generating more interest in the media and crowds grew and grew leading into the final where there were 5000 people at Murrayfield.

“I couldn't believe how loud it was and remember thinking how I could never imagine what it must be like to play in when it's full.

"The hype, the crowds and the competitiveness of the games all played a massive part in my development. It provided a pathway for me to being signed straight from school and a platform to be exposed to representative selectors.”

Despite the success of the competition in serving some of rugby's top young players, the Cup represents a small portion of those who participate, with more than 160 schools battling it out in three tiers of competition - the Cup, Plate and Bowl, at U16 and U18.

Previously, a series of open-entry preliminary rounds determined which tier a school would be placed.

However, this season schools are invited to enter a distinct Cup or Bowl competition based on their own assessment of their side's ability.

Scottish Rugby's head of community rugby Colin Thomson, said: “Working with schools and coaches we have developed a competition structure that enables everyone to benefit from the appropriate level of competition at every age group.

“It allows developing rugby schools to avoid mis-matches against the more seasoned schools and the higher ranked schools to secure more competitive matches throughout the season.”

The 16 schools that progress from the Cup's two qualification rounds will be drawn in four pools of four to increase the number of games against similar opposition - with the winners of each pool progressing into the knock-out stage.

The losers from the qualification rounds will make up a Plate competition while the emerging schools' Bowl competition will progress through four regional rounds before turning national for the quarter-final onwards.

Nick Burge, PE teacher at Glenwood High School, is excited about the restructured competition and is looking forward to entering his school for the second time.

In just a single academic year, Burge has successfully re-introduced rugby to all boys' and girls' curriculum at S1 to S4 and fields teams at U14, U15, U16 and U17 (boys).

This season, to develop the school's young talent, the school have kick-started their ‘Excel’ programme to offer an intense outlet to their most exceptional players as they look to make their mark on Scotland's flagship schools' competition.

Burge said: "The layout suits us because we'll play more games. We've played a lot of the emerging schools in Fife and are looking forward to taking some of our successes in those games into this season's competition.

“The reduced transport costs of playing locally make the competition a lot more accessible too.

“By having a distinct Bowl competition, we enter a level playing field which allows us to stabilise and increase our playing numbers as each game is a realistic play-to-win.

“Our players are very excited about the competition because it gives them more games, while starting the Bowl a bit later means we can have a mini pre-season to get our skills and basic fitness to hit the tournament running.”

Marc Wilkinson, head of Brewin Dolphin in Edinburgh, said: “As the tenth anniversary, this is a landmark year for Brewin Dolphin and its sponsorship of the Schools Cup.

“Over this period, the competition has continued to thrive with more and more schools from across Scotland signing up each year.

“We have also seen raw rugby talent come through the competition over the past decade, and it is great that Brewin Dolphin has been able to support these players in some way through their development.

“This year in particular is an exciting year for schools and players taking part. A number of structural changes have been introduced which is hoped will encourage increased competitiveness amongst schools and allow the boys more games throughout the season.

“We wish all of the teams, old and new, taking part this year the best of luck.”

3.9.10

Scotland internationalists John Barclay and Simon Webster were the guests of honour yesterday at Glenwood High School at the launch of the 2010/11 Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools' Rugby Union Cup - and an all new competition structure.

The launch marked the tenth year that Brewin Dolphin has sponsored the tournament which has grown to offer a platform for young players to progress to the professional ranks and senior club rugby.

John Barclay lifted the U18 Schools' Cup at Murrayfield on two consecutive occasions, captaining his school, Dollar Academy, the second time round in 2004 - just three years before winning the first of his 21 caps earned so far.

Barclay said: “The Schools Cup brought meaning to school rugby and gave all the pupils something to aspire to. Everyone saw it as the main focus of the season.

"As the tournament went on I remember it generating more interest in the media and crowds grew and grew leading into the final where there were 5000 people at Murrayfield.

“I couldn't believe how loud it was and remember thinking how I could never imagine what it must be like to play in when it's full.

"The hype, the crowds and the competitiveness of the games all played a massive part in my development. It provided a pathway for me to being signed straight from school and a platform to be exposed to representative selectors.”

Despite the success of the competition in serving some of rugby's top young players, the Cup represents a small portion of those who participate, with more than 160 schools battling it out in three tiers of competition - the Cup, Plate and Bowl, at U16 and U18.

Previously, a series of open-entry preliminary rounds determined which tier a school would be placed.

However, this season schools are invited to enter a distinct Cup or Bowl competition based on their own assessment of their side's ability.

Scottish Rugby's head of community rugby Colin Thomson, said: “Working with schools and coaches we have developed a competition structure that enables everyone to benefit from the appropriate level of competition at every age group.

“It allows developing rugby schools to avoid mis-matches against the more seasoned schools and the higher ranked schools to secure more competitive matches throughout the season.”

The 16 schools that progress from the Cup's two qualification rounds will be drawn in four pools of four to increase the number of games against similar opposition - with the winners of each pool progressing into the knock-out stage.

The losers from the qualification rounds will make up a Plate competition while the emerging schools' Bowl competition will progress through four regional rounds before turning national for the quarter-final onwards.

Nick Burge, PE teacher at Glenwood High School, is excited about the restructured competition and is looking forward to entering his school for the second time.

In just a single academic year, Burge has successfully re-introduced rugby to all boys' and girls' curriculum at S1 to S4 and fields teams at U14, U15, U16 and U17 (boys).

This season, to develop the school's young talent, the school have kick-started their ‘Excel’ programme to offer an intense outlet to their most exceptional players as they look to make their mark on Scotland's flagship schools' competition.

Burge said: "The layout suits us because we'll play more games. We've played a lot of the emerging schools in Fife and are looking forward to taking some of our successes in those games into this season's competition.

“The reduced transport costs of playing locally make the competition a lot more accessible too.

“By having a distinct Bowl competition, we enter a level playing field which allows us to stabilise and increase our playing numbers as each game is a realistic play-to-win.

“Our players are very excited about the competition because it gives them more games, while starting the Bowl a bit later means we can have a mini pre-season to get our skills and basic fitness to hit the tournament running.”

Marc Wilkinson, head of Brewin Dolphin in Edinburgh, said: “As the tenth anniversary, this is a landmark year for Brewin Dolphin and its sponsorship of the Schools Cup.

“Over this period, the competition has continued to thrive with more and more schools from across Scotland signing up each year.

“We have also seen raw rugby talent come through the competition over the past decade, and it is great that Brewin Dolphin has been able to support these players in some way through their development.

“This year in particular is an exciting year for schools and players taking part. A number of structural changes have been introduced which is hoped will encourage increased competitiveness amongst schools and allow the boys more games throughout the season.

“We wish all of the teams, old and new, taking part this year the best of luck.”

2.9.10

Bedford School scraped into the final of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup after a nail-biting semi-final yesterday.

A thrilling tie against Portsmouth Grammar School ended with the match being decided off the last ball of the game with just one wicket left.

In a topsy-turvy tie at Havant Park in Hampshire, Portsmouth Grammar reached 182-5 in their 40 overs thanks to an unbeaten 68 from Rob Gibson and 67 from Jacob George.

Bedford lost wickets regularly in reply despite useful contributions from Patel (34), Davis (33) and Thurston (32).

But a fantastic game went to the last over with five runs needed for victory and just two wickets left.

With fielders surrounding the bat, another wicket went down before scrambled singles left the scores tied with one ball remaining.

Knowing that Portsmouth Grammar would win by losing fewer wickets if the match remained tied, Bedford snatched a leg bye off the final delivery to leave the visitors ecstatic and the home side devastated.

In the other semi final yesterday, Myerscough College, from Preston enjoyed a convincing victory over Adams Grammar School, from Shropshire.

After bowling out Adams for just 92, Myerscough knocked off the runs for the loss of only two wickets to seal their place in the final.

Myerscough College will now play Bedford School in the final next Wednesday September 8 at Cumnor Cricket Club in Oxfordshire, starting at 1pm.

1.9.10

St Benedict’s School, Ealing successfully defended their title at the 14th annual Cronk Cunis U21 Festival at Richmond Athletic Ground.

The Cup final, in which St Benedict’s defeated 2007 Cup winners Tonbridge 19-7, was the culmination of nine hours of continuous rugby on seven pitches.

A total of 71 matches were played involving some 40 teams, all of them former pupils of some of the country’s leading rugby playing schools.

Some 750 players took part in festival’s five competitions – Cup, Plate, Bowl, Vase and Shield – making this established U21 event the biggest festival of one-day 15-a-side adult rugby in the country.

Teams came from as far afield as Hull (Hymers College), Altrincham (St Ambrose) and Penrhos (Rydal), confirming the national status of this event.

St Benedict’s had looked likely winners from early in the day but were pushed extremely hard in their semi-final against Brighton, winning 11-6.

The second semi final was even closer, with Tonbridge scoring in the dying minutes to overcome Dulwich College 12-11.

The Cup was presented to St Benedict’s captain Rowan Halsall by RFU President Richard Appleby who continued the record of recent RFU presidents in attending.

Mr Appleby praised the organisation of the festival, now in its 14th year, and the important place it holds in the annual rugby calendar.

“It is wonderful to see so many young rugby players enjoying the game, renewing old friendships and making new ones,” he said. “The organisers of the festival are to be congratulated on another hugely successful and enjoyable event.”

27.8.10

Four teams are just one step away from a place in the final of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

Portsmouth Grammar School will play Bedford School at Havant Cricket Club in Hampshire while Adams Grammar School will host Preston’s Myerscough College at Shifnal Cricket Club near Telford in Shropshire.

Both semi finals are taking place next Wednesday September 1 with the final scheduled for Wednesday September 8.

26.8.10

The best school rugby league sides in the country will battle it out in the Carnegie Champion Schools Finals this weekend.

Eight finals will take place over two days with the U12 boys final between Cumbria’s Dowdales School and Temple High School, from Leeds, having pride of place at Wembley on Saturday before the Challenge Cup final.

The U14 final will feature Brooksbank School, from West Yorkshire, and St Benedict’s School, from Whitehaven, while the U15s will see Castleford High School tackle Saints Peter & Paul Catholic College, from Widnes.

The U13 final will be a north v south battle with Outwood Grange Academy, from Wakefield, taking on Brentwood County High School, from Essex.

Girls finals will features age groups from U12 to U15 level, alongwith the boys’ U13-U15 finals, at Hillingdon Sports & Leisure Complex in Uxbridge, Middlesex on Friday.

20.8.10

A new national league for the best basketball schools and colleges in the country is being launched this Autumn.

The invitation-only U19 competition will include teams from Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) institutions and schools or colleges that have historically shown a high level of performance in England Basketball and British Colleges Sport tournaments.

Aimed at pupils and students who have the potential to play elite-level basketball, the weekly competition will feature 30 teams divided into four regional leagues.

Sides will play each other home and away with the top two teams from each league qualifying for quarter finals and semi finals.

John Hole, chief executive of British College Sports, said: “We are delighted to be a partner with England Basketball in this prestigious event. It is the first step in the development of a robust competition programme for post-16 basketball in colleges and schools.”

Charlie Ford AASE/schools administrator, added: “The partnership with John and his team at BCS is an important one in the ongoing development of schools/college basketball.

“It’s vital that there is one elite/premier schools competition at U19 level so that institutions do not have to choose between two or three different competition routes.

“The partnership with BCS will enable us to utilise the experience and expertise they have built up over the years to provide the highest quality competition possible.”

Zone one will feature Tyne Met College, Bradford College, Warrington College, Stockport College, Danum School, Runshaw College, Loreto College and Childwall Sports College.

Zone two will encompass Noel Baker School (Derby College),
Burleigh Community College, Moulton College, Birmingham Met
College, Telford College, County Upper School, Copleston High
School and Milton Keynes College.

In zone three, there will be Canterbury High School, Oaklands College, Hackney Community College, Barking Abbey School, London United Richmond College, SEEVIC College, Greig City Academy and Kingston College.

Zone four will feature Filton College, Henley College, Angmering
School, Worcester Sixth Form College, Richard Huish College
and Truro College.

10.8.10

British athletes Sharron Davies, Daley Thompson, Jade Johnson and Derek Redmond are helping to showcase the London 2012 Olympic legacy by attending a unique event aimed at schools and school children in February 2011.

The 2012 Sporting Legacy, being organised by Adaptable Travel, will be a two day event held at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 7 and 8.

Aimed at children aged between 14 and 18, it will include discussions and activities presented by the athletes as well as an exclusive tour of the 2012 Olympic venues.

Ian Webb, managing director at Adaptable Travel said: “The motivational talks and presentations by some of Britain’s best athletes are a massive attraction to school pupils.

“The trip enables teachers to introduce the Olympics to their curriculum learning and makes the 2012 Games relevant to classrooms across the UK.

“It will cover a range of subjects such as sports and PE, business studies, media studies, human geography, design & technology, engineering, events management, history and citizenship and so should appeal to a wide range of students from across the UK.”

Last week marked the two- year count down to the Games in London and swimmer Sharron Davies, MBE, who first swam for Britain at the age of 11, said: “Introducing sport to children at a young age is crucial in creating future stars but this event is a lot more than that.

“It aims to really investigate the values that make up an Olympic champion and how these values can be transferred into all aspects of life.”

For more information on The 2012 Sporting Legacy, to book your place on the trip or to request a quote, visit www.adaptabletravel.co.uk

30.7.10

Sir Ian McGeechan will aim to tackle the shortage of coaches working in school sport after being appointed Coaching Ambassador by the Youth Sport Trust.

The British Lions chief has teamed up with the national charity to address key issues in school sport, including the lack of qualified coaches in Olympic and Paralympic sports which could result in missed opportunities for young people inspired by London 2012.

As a former PE teacher, international rugby player, four-time British Lions chief and one of the most respected figures in sport, McGeechan’s credentials to lead on this coaching work are unrivalled.

Sir Ian will focus on several key roles in his new role including enhancing the quality of coaches working in school sport, ensuring they inspire young people to take up sport and help them develop early confidence and competence.

He will also prioritise the recruitment and training of more coaches in all sports, but particularly Olympic and Paralympic sports, to meet the demands schools will face following London 2012.

Sir Ian also plans to create ways for young people to move more easily from leadership into coaching, ensure there is a diversity of coaches so that all young people can identify with a coach as a positive role model, support and train members of the school workforce to become sports coaches and encourage more people to take up a coaching role within schools in their communities.

He said: “I am delighted to have been asked by the Youth Sport Trust to join them as their national Coaching Ambassador.

“I hope that, by working with the Youth Sport Trust, I can encourage more young people and adults to become coaches in their schools and communities.

“Inspiring young people to play sport and sustain a lifetime involvement is such an incredibly rewarding opportunity, which everyone can experience by becoming a coach.”

Baroness Sue Campbell, chair of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “School sport and PE have undergone a huge transformation over the last decade with more young people participating, leading and performing in school sport than at any point in our history.

“Clearly the desire and enthusiasm among young people to participate is there. The concern now is that we mustn’t miss, through a lack of coaches involved in school sport, the marvellous opportunities which London 2012 will create to inspire even more young people to participate in PE and sport.

“We are delighted to announce our partnership with Sir Ian, who will help us deliver a vital area of the Youth Sport Trust’s work to create a world-leading PE and sport system for all young people.”

20.7.10

Sunderland’s Castletown Primary School beat Priory Primary School, from North Tyneside, to emerge triumphant in the Tyne and Wear Primary Tag Rugby League competition at Gateshead International Stadium.

20.7.10

Warden Park School were crowned U15 Sussex cricket champions by defeating Hove Park School by eight wickets at Blackstone CC.

16.7.10

Cheam High School and Reeds School, both from Surrey, won the AEGON National Schools girls and boys U18 Tennis Championships for the fourth successive year each at Queenswood School.

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

15.7.10

Bispham Drive Junior School, from Nottinghamshire, beat Wollescote, from the West Midlands, to win the ASDA National U11 Kwik Cricket Tournament.

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

14.7.10

Oakley Church of England Junior School, from Hampshire, won the ASDA Kwik Cricket Girls Tournament after beating Ocklynge Junior School in a tense national final at Derby

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

13.7.10

Manchester Grammar School beat Portsmouth Grammar School by 46 runs to win the ESCA David English U13 Bunbury Schools Cricket Cup at Oakham School.

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

8.7.10

Millfield defeated Bedford School by 19 runs to win the ESCA Lords Taverner’s U15 Schools Cricket Cup at Oakham School yesterday.

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

6.7.10

Southend High School for Boys and Fitzwimarc School, Rayleigh were crowned U13 and U15 boys national champions at the English Schools Track & Field Cup while James Allen’s Girls School, London, and Millfield School triumphed in the U13 and U15 girls events at Gateshead International Stadium.

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

6.7.10

Portsmouth Grammar School are one game away from two national schools cricket finals in the same year after a thrilling School Sport Magazine U17 Cup quarter final victory.

Jacob George (96) and Chris Stone (62) enjoyed a 126 run second wicket partnership to help the home side reach 213-6 in 40 overs against Truro College.

But the brave visitors looked like their long drive from Cornwall was going to pay off as Adam Cocking (82) and Jake Libby (51) put on their own 140 run second wicket stand to bring them in sight of victory and wanting 70 off the last eleven overs.

But two great catches from Tom Seebold and three run outs saw Truro needing 12 off the last six balls - and they finished agonisingly four runs short.

Portsmouth Grammar will now host Bedford School in the semi finals.

5.7.10

Portsmouth Grammar reached their first-ever David English Bunbury National Schools U13 Cricket Cup after edging past Kent’s Judd School in a titanic struggle.

Rory Prentice top-scored with 45 as the south coast side set a daunting target of 178-9 but at 80-1 the home side looked in a strong position.

With ten runs needed off the last over and four off the last ball, the Judd School scrambled just two leaving the visitors winners by two runs.

Portsmouth will now play Manchester Grammar School in the final at Oakham School in Leicestershire this Thursday.

In the ESCA Lords Taverners U15 Trophy, Bedford School will play Millfield in the final at Oakham School this Wednesday.

Tim Graham hit 64 as Bedford beat Manchester Grammar School by four wickets in the semi final and Millfield defeated Wellington College.

5.7.10

Millfield School retained their National Schools Twenty20 cricket competition by beating Bedford School by seven wickets at Lords.

Josh Pinn scored 54 as Millfield scored 147-3 in just 13.2 overs after earlier beating Shrewsbury School by three wickets thanks to 44 from Daniel Bell Drummond. Bedford beat Abingdon School in the other semi final.

Millfield coach Ryan Cook said: “They performed well and executed their game plans with precision.”

First XI team director Richard Ellison said: “I am delighted for all connected with Millfield cricket especially Ryan and the squad.

“To defend a title is never easy and the way they went about each game was both professional and thorough.”

3.7.10

Priory Primary School won the North Tyneside Primary Schools rugby league finals to progress to the Tyne and Wear Primary School Finals on July 15.

Seven schools took part in the event at Whitehouse Primary School where the hosts lost by one try in the final to Priory.

Priory will now take on the winners from the South Tyneside, Sunderland, Newcastle and Gateshead events at Gateshead International Stadium.

2.7.10

Stanley Junior School, from Teddington in Middlesex, are celebrating after lifting the cup in the London North RFU YAZOO Regional Tag Rugby Festival at Chigwell Police Sports Club.

They will be joined in the National Tag 2 Twickenham finals at the birth place of rugby, Rugby School, on July 7 by runners-up Hadley Wood, Enfield.

The Chigwell event was attended by 18 schools and Sarah Hunter of the England team who will be competing at the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup in August said: “It's been a great day and along with the kids we've all had a lot of fun. There were some potential stars of the future here today so I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for them.”

The Tag 2 Twickenham programme is the competition pathway for primary schools playing tag rugby.

The programme incorporates coaching delivered under the RFU's Tag Rugby programme, which is sponsored by Yazoo, and the local, county, regional and national festivals pathway that is run by Child Victims of Crime in partnership with the police.

1.7.10

Adams Grammar School swept into the semi finals of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup after beating Wymondham College by four wickets.

In a low-scoring game, the Shropshire side had Alex Russell (5-22) to thank for bowling out their Norfolk rivals for just 85.

In reply, Wymondham took wickets at regular intervals but Andrew Day top scored with 47 as Adams just did enough to win.

Adams Grammar School will now host Myerscough College, from Preston, for a place in the final.

30.6.10

Manchester Grammar School have two sides in the semi finals of the ESCA David English/Bunbury U13 and the ESCA Lords Taverners U15 Schools Cricket Cups.

Manchester GS will play Bedford School in the Lords Taverners and Abingdon School in the Bunbury Cup.

Other ties will see Wellington College take on Millfield in the other U15 semi final and Portsmouth Grammar tackle Kent’s Judd School in the U13 Cup.

The Lords Taverners final will take place on July 7 while the Bunbury final is being held on July 8, both at Oakham School.

30.6.10

Olympic gold medallists Sir Chris Hoy and Jonathan Edwards joined schoolchildren at Eltham Green Specialist Sports College to celebrate this year’s Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week.

With seven out of ten schoolchildren in the capital already inspired by London 2012 to take part in more sport, Sir Chris Hoy and Jonathan Edwards visited Eltham Green with 350 pupils from schools across south east London.

The schoolchildren took part in a festival of sport themed event and tried their hand at a range of Olympic and Paralymic sports, including tennis, handball and badminton, along with the Olympic gold medallists.

Nearly 14,000 schools and five million young people have signed up to Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week, an initiative in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and part of the London 2012 Get Set education programme, which aims to use the power of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire children to take part in more sport.

Schools up and down the country will be hosting opening and closing ceremonies, torch relays, inter and intra school competitions by working across their school sport partnership and inviting local clubs to come in and give taster sessions in a variety Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Chris Hoy said: “Hosting the London 2012 Games in Britain provides us with all sorts of opportunities to introduce young people to new and exciting sports.

“Events like National School Sport Week are great as they give school children the opportunity to take part in a new Olympic or Paralympic sport for the first time.

“I tried various different sports at school before I found something I loved and I hope that through events like these we can encourage more children to get involved in sport.”

At the end of the week at 12.20pm on Friday July 2, pupils across Eltham Green School Sport Partnership will be joining millions of other young people across the country with a two minute sporting showcase, celebrating the new sport they have tried during the week.

Sebastian Coe, chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), said: “The fact that nearly 14,000 schools are taking part in this year’s National School Sport Week confirms what we witness every time we travel around the UK – that children are excited about trying new sports.

“I have no doubt there will be an even greater appetite for National School Sport Week as we inch ever closer to 2012.

“The enthusiasm up and down the country; increasing levels of participation 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.”

To find out more and help a local school win a share of £20,000 worth of sports equipment, pledge your support now at www.lloydstsb.com/london2012

29.6.10

Bedford School squeezed into the semi finals of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup after beating Shenfield High School by 13 runs.

Bedford batsman McDuell's provided the backbone of an innings that was slow to accelerate with an excellent unbeaten 101 as they reached 192-7 in a reduced 35 overs.

For a long period in their innings, the Essex visitors looked likely winners before Goldberg (2-8) and Kettleborough (2-16) pegged Shenfield back as they were eventually bowled out for 179 in 34 overs.

In the semi-finals, Bedford will travel to either Portsmouth Grammar School or Truro College after Portsmouth secured a deserved win over sole remaining Welsh side Monmouth School.

Monmouth were restricted to 165-7 before Chris Stone (78) and Rob Gibson (77no) saw Portsmouth Grammar win by seven wickets.

28.6.10

Hugh Sexey Middle School from Blackford, near Wedmore in Somerset and Compton Primary School from Plymouth will represent the south west at the England RFU’s Tag to Twickenham finals at Warwickshire's famous Rugby School next Wednesday July 7.

The two schools earned their places having battled their way into the final of the South West Tag Rugby Tournament played at Taunton School.

Although Hugh Sexey emerged as the outright winners on the day, thanks to an extra time 'golden' try after the two schools were all-square at the end of normal time, both of the finalists go through to the national finals where the eventual champions and runners-up earn the chance to play at Twickenham in the build-up to one of England's Autumn International Series matches.

In the south of England region, twelve excited youngsters, eight boys and four girls aged between 10 and 11 years old, from Churchend Primary School in Tilehurst, Reading, will also be at the final.

It follows a successful defence of their regional title at Basingstoke RFC when they won a tense extra-time final against Hampshire school Oakley House.

It was all-square, seven tries apiece, at the end of normal time before Churchend, with several of last year’s successful team in the side, finally retained their title winning the extra time period, 2-1.

It's the third successive year that a Churchend School side have made it through to the national finals and proud teacher and coach Richard Pearse is confident his squad of 2010 can produce the best performance yet for the school.

He says: “The highest we've finished so far is 13th out of the 20 competing schools but our ambition this year is to get into the top five.

“But, it is tough at that level because we are a small school compared to the others who have much bigger pools of youngsters to select from. So we're very much punching above our weight.”

The squad certainly has a multi-cultural feel about it with both Callum Pearse and Kieran Wood born in South African, brothers Kai and Ryo Masuda hailing from Japan while Min Clarke, one of the four girls in the squad, was born in Thailand.

In the north-west, Holy Trinity Primary School, from Tarleton near Preston, emerged as one of the top two teams at Manchester University's Armitage Centre.

Joining them will be Kirkby Stephen Primary, the other team to finish in the top two from the field of 33 schools who took part in a top-quality event.

“The standard was exceptionally high and we had a really good event,” said organiser Garry Holmes, community rugby coach for South Lakeland.

“Obviously Holy Trinity, who reached the finals last year, were delighted to be going back for a second bite at the cherry, while Kirkby Stephen did really well for such a small school to be rubbing shoulders with the best young tag rugby players in the land and they were just as thrilled at getting through.”

Drighlington Primary and Gargrave Primary qualified from the Yorkshire regional event at Pontefract.

The programme incorporates coaching delivered under the RFU's Tag Rugby programme, which is sponsored by Yazoo, and the local, county, regional and national festivals pathway that is run by Child Victims of Crime in partnership with the Police.

The Yazoo and CVOC programmes join up under the Tag to Twickenham banner to provide a national competition.

All schools receiving coaching sessions are invited to take part in the county festival pathway and then winning schools progress to 10 regional Tag to Twickenham festivals.

18.6.10

Myerscough College have become the first team to reach the semi finals of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

The Preston team produced a solid performance with bat and ball to defeat Huddersfield New College in the quarter finals to be crowned north of England champions.

Fayaz Ughradar hit 71 and Marcus Dawson 30 as Myerscough were bowled out for 205 in the first innings.

But Jordon Hughes took four wickets for just three runs and Steven Beck claimed 3-32 as Huddersfield were skittled for 117 to lose by 88 runs.

Myerscough College will now travel to either Wymondham College, Norfolk, or Adams Grammar School, Shropshire, in the semi finals.

17.6.10

A thrilling last sixteen School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup match ended in a sensational tie yesterday after more than 500 runs were scored.

Truro College, from Cornwall, and Filton College Bristol – who each host cricket academies that combine study with specialist cricket coaching for 16-18 year-olds - both scored 257 runs in a high-scoring game at Clevedon Cricket Club.

On a glorious day and with a lightning fast outfield, Truro scored 257-5 in their 40 overs thanks to top scorers Jake Libby (82) and Paul Smith (69) enjoying an eight-an-over partnership of 128.

Not to be outdone, Filton openers Baber (84) and Kinchen (53) destroyed the Truro seamers, reaching 100 in just 10 overs before they were separated at 154 in the 19th over.

The introduction of spin slowed the scoring rate but with seven overs left Filton had six wickets in hand and needed just 34 to win.

Dan Ponting (2-33) and Nicole Richards (2-44) clawed Truro back into the game but Filton looked favourites with two overs to go and needing just 11 runs with three wickets in hand.

But two brilliant run outs left Filton needing four from the last over with their final pair at the crease.

Smith returned after a nightmare first spell and after a wide and a scrambled two, Filton levelled with three deliveries to go.

But last man Wheeler despaired as Smith produced a stunning delivery to have him caught behind by Adam Chapman to see the ecstatic Truro team through by virtue of losing fewer wickets.

In the quarter finals, Truro will now travel to the winners of the match between Portsmouth Grammar and Monmouth School.

Adams Grammar School, from Newport in Shropshire, also made it through to the last eight by beating Solihull College by one wicket.

In a low-scoring game, they bowled Solihull out for just 76 with Hothi taking 4-8 then scraped through despite losing nine wickets.

Adams Grammar will now travel to Norfolk’s Wymondham College for a place in the semi finals.

17.6.10

Cyber Coach and West Sussex West School Sport Partnership will be attempting to break the Guinness (RTM) World Record for the most simultaneous dance mat players next month.

The current Guinness World Record is held by the American version of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, set in Los Angeles and hosted by Cat Deeley in 2008.

The attempt will take place on July 2 at Bognor Regis Community College, during Lloyds TSB's National School Sports Week.

Kate Smith, partnership development manager, said: “Being part of a world record attempt is a great honour.

“Young people showing outstanding commitment to PE from years 7 and 8 were selected across ten secondary schools. They will also be supported by 40 excellent sports leaders who will help officiate and manage the day.

“The West Sussex School Sport Partnership provides a wide variety of sporting opportunities to cater for all young people's interests. Dance mats have certainly proved popular with a great number of young people.”

Heather Lowe, assistant partnership development manager, added: “We currently have three Cyber Coach machines, each with eight dance mats used in ten different secondary schools across the school sport partnership. They are a fantastic resource and are very popular with our young people.

“We decided to combine a dance mat world record attempt to coincide with National School Sport Week. This national initiative pioneered by the Youth Sport Trust uses the power of the 2012 Olympics to engage young people to take part in physical activity.

“Cyber Coach have been excellent in helping us achieve our goal and have worked very hard behind the scenes to make this happen. We are very appreciative of all their support.”

Glen Jones, director of Cyber Coach, said: “A lot of dance mat systems are supplied by gym equipment suppliers who simply import the equipment in and sell it on.

“At Cyber Coach, we have designed the system from top to bottom and spent the last three years working with PE and fitness professionals such as Heather and her colleagues in West Sussex to improve it.

“Because of all this work, we can now offer curriculum content, cheerleading and body poppin' into schools and get everyone active.

“With the variety of activities available on the system, the Cyber Coach is easily the UK's number 1 dance mat system in the UK and features at over 600 sites.”

16.6.10

Bedford School reached the quarter finals of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National U17 Cup by beating Forest School by seven wickets

All six Bedford bowlers took wickets as their London rivals succumbed to 115 all out in 37 overs with Henry Banks taking 3-27.

Patel (54) and Goldberg (23) saw Bedford home by seven wickets in 27.4 overs despite the early loss of Thurston to set up a quarter final tie against Shenfield High School, from Essex.

14.6.10

St Peter's Primary School from Market Bosworth and Lincroft Primary School's A team from Bedfordshire have booked their places in this season's Tag to Twickenham finals day at Rugby School on July 7.

The two schools qualified from the Midlands East regional finals day held at Leicester University having progressed through county qualifying tournaments.

The Tag to Twickenham programme is the competition pathway for primary schools playing tag rugby.

The programme incorporates coaching delivered under the RFU's Tag Rugby programme, which is sponsored by Yazoo, and the local, county, regional and national festivals pathway that is run by Child Victims of Crime in partnership with the Police.

RFU Yazoo Tag Rugby reached the landmark of one million primary school children attending sessions in late 2008, just over two years after the sponsorship started.

Local festivals follow these coaching sessions, providing the opportunity for schools to link with their local clubs.

Working in tandem with these festivals, CVOC's Tag to Twickenham includes a programme of community engagement with Police and Community Support Officers delivering tag rugby in their linked schools.

Over 600 officers are trained each year between August and April by the RFU National Tag Rugby Development Officer.

They use tag rugby, a non-contact version of the sport, as the vehicle to engage young people before delivering vital personal safety and citizenship messages through the Tackle Safety resource.
The Yazoo and CVOC programmes join up under the Tag to Twickenham banner to provide a national competition.

All schools receiving coaching sessions are invited to take part in the county festival pathway and then winning schools progress to ten regional Tag to Twickenham festivals.

Schools who participated in the Midlands East regionals finals were: Meadowdale Primary, Orchard C of E Primary, St Peters Primary , Albany Junior School, Trowell School, Cotgrave Candleby School, South Wilford C of E Primary School , Tealby Primary, Helpringham County Primary, Bourne Westfield, Nettleham Primary , Clifton Primary, Padfield Primary, Homefield Primary, St Mary's Primary, Boughton Primary, Clipston Primary, Bridgewater Primary, Hillborough Junior, Lincroft A, Lincroft B, Caddington Village School.

The Midlands West regional finals day will be held at Dudley Kingswinford RFC on June 17

11.6.10

Shenfield High School surged into the quarter finals of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cup with an impressive four-wicket victory over St Bede’s, Hailsham.

Ollie Bailey took 3-23 as the Essex state school restricted their Sussex opponents to 127-7.

Then Shenfield chased down the total with eleven balls left to set up a quarter final visit to either Bedford School or London’s Forest School.

11.6.10

Sixty primary school teams competed against each other and received coaching from Olympian Calum Giles at the Plymouth Primary Mixed Hockey Festival.

The event at University College Plymouth St Marjon & St John saw a team of more than 20 new foundation umpires, sports leaders and higher education students working together to deliver the event to more than 500 pupils.

It also aimed to inspire young players to join a club and attend club-based development centres for four weeks after the festival across the city.

9.6.10

The School Sport Magazine Awards are back - as big and broad-ranging as ever before.

Our popular awards will again involve eight different sporting categories, all sponsored by leading sports companies who are offering prizes to the winners.

All the categories are based on achievements during the 2009/10 school year amd the winners will be announced in the Autumn.

For full details and how to nominate your candidates, see the new edition of the magazine, out next week, or check out the awards page on our website.

8.9.10

World Cup Fever is hitting Chesterfield next week as a brand new state-of-the-art football pitch will be unveiled at Brookfield Sports College.

Brookfield is launching its new full-size, floodlit 3rd generation artificial grass pitch situated next to its new sports hall and changing rooms.

The pitch will look and perform just like grass but is made from artificial fibres, is playable all year round and will enable many more local people of all ages to have regular access to a range of sports.

The new facility will be officially opened at 4pm on Friday June 18, at Chatsworth Road, S40 3NS.

Former and present Brookfield students will test drive the new pitch alongside professional players from Chesterfield FC.

A £285,219 grant from the Football Foundation, the sports charity funded by the Premier League, The FA and Government, has helped to pay for the new facility.

The project has also been supported by a £150,000 grant from the DCSF (the Department for Children, Schools and Families) for sports colleges to improve their sports facilities, and Derbyshire County Council.

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation said: “We warmly congratulate Brookfield Specialist Sports College, its partner football clubs and the Derbyshire County FA for their hard work and dedication in securing this award.

“Sport is playing a central role in helping people to stay fit, strengthen communities and promote responsibility amongst young people. This new project in Chesterfield is but one example of thousands across the country that the Football Foundation is supporting with money provided by our funding partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government.”

Denise Howard, director of sport at the school, said: “Chesterfield has a real shortage of good quality pitches and this facility will provide a much needed venue for clubs to train, to play matches and for young people to just play football for fun. As a sports college and hub of the Chesterfield School Sports Partnership we are committed to providing the best sports facilities for our local community.”

3.6.10

Southend High School for Boys team claimed their best finish to date in the World Schools Cross Country Championship in Slovakia.

Competing against school teams from 25 other nations, Southend finished fourth behind Turkey in first place, New Zealand in second and Australia in third

Despite an arduous 28 hour coach journey and missing the start of the opening ceremony, Jack Fitsall finished 11th out of 150, despite tripping over at the start.

Alex Short, who led after the first lap, ended up 13th while Oliver Kyriakiedes finished 17th and Alex Masterson 42nd.

The two remaining members of the squad also performed creditably with Josh Pepper running 48th and Jon Kerridge 50th.

Steve Thomas, head of PE, confirmed Southend’s fourth place beat their previous best finish of fifth in Lyon, France, in 2002.

In the girls competition, Guildford High School finished a creditable fifth.

2.6.10

The first quarter final of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cup was decided after Huddersfield New College defeated Durham’s Barnard Castle School in the last sixteen.

Huddersfield reached 249-8 in their 40 overs then restricted Barnard Castle to 122-8 to win by 125 runs. They will now host Myerscough College, Preston, in the quarter finals.

Shrewsbury School reached the quarter finals of the ESCA Lords Taverners U15 Trophy after defeating Rugby School by 98 runs

Gregson hit 74 as Shrewsbury reached 201-9 and then took 3-13, helped by 4-19 by Farquhar, to bowl Rugby School out for 103.

Shrewsbury will now visit Bedford School in the Midlands regional final for a place in the national semi finals.

In the David English Bunbury U13 Cup, Whitgift School also reached the quarter finals with an impressive 102 run triumph over Bancrofts School.

The Surrey champions struck 27 boundaries as they reached 208-8 before bowling out Bancrofts for 106.

26.5.10

Castleford High School made it a clean sweep of the girls Carnegie Champion Schools rugby league Yorkshire finals.

Castleford won all four age group finals to reach the national finals after an exciting day of competition.

The U13 year 8 team ran out comprehensive 30-0 winners over Settle Middle School, a victory matched by their U14 year 9 side who beat Settle College 32-8.

But it was a much closer call in the U12 year 7 event where Amber Tudor scored with five minutes to go to seal victory against Settle Middle School.

It was a similar scoreline in the U15 year 10 final where Jodie Williams crossed the tryline in the last minute against Settle College to make it four out of four for Castleford.

26.5.10

London’s Forest School set up a last sixteen clash with Bedford School with a convincing victory in the second round of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

Jake Lloyd hit 88 as Forest amassed 268 all out then bowled out Coopers Company & Coborn School from Upminster for just 54.

Shenfield High School also made it through to the last sixteen with an eight wicket triumph over London rivals Newham Sixth Form College.

Chasing 133, Matt Simmons (68no) smashed a half-century in just 23 balls only for Phil Coleman to beat it by hitting 50 in 19 balls to set up a home tie with St Bede’s School, Hailsham.

In the David English Bunbury U13 Cup, Portsmouth Grammar became the first team through to the national semi finals after a narrow ten run victory over Exeter School.

Rory Prentice (37no) and Joe Brown (34) helped Portsmouth Grammar reach 157-6 then Andy Gorvin (3-27) led the bowling attack in dismissing Exeter for 147.

20.5.10

The England and Wales Cricket Board has developed a legacy project to enable schools and clubs to engage in women's cricket and attend England women International matches for free this summer.

The ECB ‘Live it live’ Women’s International Legacy project 2010 aims to inspire more girls to want to play cricket and more boys to take an interest in the women and girl’s game.

All schools and clubs in England and Wales are invited to sign up to the project and in doing so will receive a number of benefits including free tickets to an England women’s international match, a ‘CricEd’ curriculum resource pack, opportunities to create a school to club link for girls who want to play cricket in a club environment and free entry into the Capture the Cricket competition.

Clare Connor, ECB head of women’s cricket, said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for girls and boys to see England women take on New Zealand women this summer, two of the best teams in the women's game.

“I am sure that the three Twenty20 matches and the five one day internationals will provide exciting live entertainment for the fans.

“I hope the legacy project encourages more clubs and schools to engage in women’s cricket and will inspire more girls to take up the game.”

Schools and clubs in England and Wales can sign up to the project at www.ecb.co.uk/womenslegacy

20.5.10

Captain Oliver Thompson smashed an unbeaten 101 as King’s School, Chester, chased down Wilmslow High School’s total of 206 to set up a third round trip to Myerscough College, Preston, in the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

Adams Grammar School set up a home tie against Solihull College after beating Birmingham’s St Joseph Chamberlain College by six wickets.

18.5.10

James Kettleborough hit an unbeaten 75 as Bedford School eased into the third round of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

A solid all-round bowling performance saw Bedford bowl out Aylesbury Grammar School for 128 in 38-4 overs.

Then Kettleborough and Davis (35) saw Bedford home by eight wickets to set up a third round home game against either Forest School or Coopers Company & Coborn School, Upminster.

In the David English Bunbury U13 Cup second round, Bancrofts School beat St Joseph’s College, Suffolk, by ten wickets.

The Essex side bowled St Joseph’s out for 72 with Joe Oxlade taking 4-15 before Samraj Sadra scored 50 not out to ease Bancrofts home.

14.5.10

A five hour coach trip proved worthwhile for Truro College as they progressed into the third round of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

The Cornwall side faced a lengthy drive to Gloucester to play the Crypt School and stepped off the coach to face up to 40 overs in the field.

But Adam Smith took 3-17 off seven overs with his medium pace while skipper Dan Jenkin also finished with 3-17 and Dan Barretto chipped in with 2 – 17 as they bowled the Crypt School out for 127 in 36.5 overs.

Truro lost Jenkin run out with eleven on the board before Adam Cocking (48) and Jake Libby (40no) put on 92 for the second wicket as the visitors finished the game in 26.2 overs.

Truro’s reward is another trip in round three – this time to the winners of the Filton College, Bristol, or Stroud’s Marling School.

14.5.10

Up to 120 pupils from six Essex schools will be taking part in a festival of golf at TopGolf Chigwell on Friday May 28.

The youngsters, aged from six to 10, are part of a TriGolf scheme which is backed by the Government’s school sport partnership initiative.

TriGolf is played with plastic sticks and balls and children learn how to control the distance when putting and how to chip balls when using Velcro balls and Velcro targets.

The six schools sending pupils are Buckhurst Hill, Hereward Primary, St John Fisher, Whitebridge Junior, Willingale Primary and Alderton Junior Schools.

TopGolf deputy general manager Conrad Simon said: “The festival will improve TopGolf’s links with schools and give youngsters a basic feel for the game of golf.

“We are extremely proud to be part of the TriGolf initiative, which is particularly good for improving hand-eye co-ordination, as well as introducing youngsters to the game’s basic skills. TriGolf is one of our socially-responsible investments in local communities.”

Davenant Foundation School in Loughton is the main feeder school for the West Essex School Sports Partnership.

Davenant’s partnership development manager Julia Gardiner said: “TopGolf have helped by providing a bank of qualified coaches who enter the school setting and give an introduction to golf in the form of TriGolf.

“By hosting events such as the festival of golf, young people are able to experience competition against other schools and use TopGolf’s fantastic facilities.”

13.5.10

Oundle School and Myerscough College, Preston, have become the first two schools through to the third round of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

Harry Ramsden hit 84 and George Johansen scored 80 as Oundle, national U15 champions two years ago, reached 269-3 in 40 overs against Hill Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge.

Hill Road battled hard in reply but finished 99 runs short on 170-3.

In the north west region Myerscough College derby, it was Myerscough, Preston,who emerged triumphant by 66 runs against Myerscough, Old Trafford.

Fayaz Ughradar scored 123 and Jordan Hughes 55 as Myerscough Preston piled up 234-5 before Hughes took 3-7 off 3.1 overs to help bowl their namesakes out for 168.

Oundle will now play either Thorpe St Andrew School or Wymondham College in round three while Myerscough College will host either Wilmslow High School or Kings School, Chester.

12.5.10

Two batsmen scored centuries for the same team as Aylesbury Grammar School stormed into the second round of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

The rare event saw Ben Mooney and Greg Jenkins each hit 101 and share in an opening partnership of 205 as Aylesbury piled up 288-7 in their 40 overs against Hitchin Boys School.

Hiren Patel then took four wickets for four runs in 3.4 overs and Tom Mayho snared 4-32 as Hitchin were skittled out for 85 to ensure a 203 run victory and a trip to Bedford School in round two.

Reading School will travel to Portsmouth Grammar School after easing to a ten wicket triumph over Ascot’s Licenced Victuallers School.

And Scottish cricket fell at the first hurdle as Glasgow’s Belmont House School went down by 48 runs to Middlebrough’s Macmillan Academy.

Meanwhile in the David English Bunbury U13 Cup, Portsmouth Grammar School became the first school to reach the quarter finals by beating Gloucester’s Crypt School by 96 runs.

10.5.10

Birmingham’s Joseph Chamberlain College moved into the second round of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cup in a low-scoring tie against Moulton College.

Joseph Chamberlain were up against it after being bowled out for 102 with Liam Creighton taking 4-17.

But Zain Arif (4-17) and Zain Farooq (3-13) put the brakes on Moulton’s reply and Matt Roberts’ 32 couldn’t stop his side succumbing to 72 to lose by 30 runs.

In the south-west region, Marling School, Stroud, will travel to Filton College, Bristol after wracking up 272-4 against Slough & Eton College and then bowling them out for 87.

And an east London derby is the prospect in round two after Newham Sixth Form College narrowly defeated Alleyn’s School by 15 runs to set up a trip to Shenfield High School.

A familiar name called the shots in the Lords Taverners U15 Trophy as Stowe School defeated Magdalen College School, Oxford by 86 runs.

Liam Gough, son of former England cricketer Darren, hit an unbeaten century – securing his 100 off the last ball of the innings – to lift Stowe to 211.

He put on 160 for the second wicket with Northampton Academy batsman Ben Duckett (75) to set a daunting target.

Henry Woodward then claimed four wickets for four runs, supported by two wickets apiece from Harry Martin and Harry Consett, to bowled Magdalen College out for 125.

Stowe now play the winner of Harrow School and Stepney Green College.

Elsewhere Bedford School also progressed to round three with a nine wicket defeat of Worcester Royal Grammar School.

6.5.10

Jonathan Das claimed the first century of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cup to help London’s Forest School reach round two of the competition.

The talented batsman smashed 102, aided by 53 from Nathan Knight, as Forest School reached 252-4 in their 40 overs against London Academy.

Forest then set up a second round clash with either Coopers Company & Coborn School, Upminster or Royal Hospital School, Ipswich by bowling London Academy out for 87.

6.5.10

The city of Coventry is celebrating a clean sweep in rugby league’s Carnegie Champion Schools Midlands regional girls finals day after collecting trophies at all four age groups.

Bishop Ullathorne (year 7), President Kennedy (years 8 and 10) and Barrs Hill (year 9) picked up the silverware and will now travel to the national festival to bid for a place in the national finals day in London as part of the Carnegie Challenge Cup Finals weekend in August.

Stoke Park (year 11) had already progressed to the national festivals after overcoming Frederick Gent of Derbyshire in the year 11 final held earlier this year.

Girls participation in the Midlands leg of Champion Schools increased dramatically in the 2009/10 academic year, with 50% more teams taking part in the competition compared to last year.

“Much of the success in Coventry can be attributed to Debbie Drake, the city’s community rugby league coach,” says Alan Robinson, the RFL’s regional development officer in the Midlands.

“Fifteen of the nineteen teams that took part in the region this year came from Coventry and she has reaped the rewards by seeing these teams progress to the national stage of the competition.”

Girls year 7 champions Bishop Ullathorne were buoyed by the success of their boys’ team earlier in the year.

“Bishop Ullathorne’s year 9 boys put in an excellent performance to beat St Edmund Arrowsmith from Wigan to reach the quarter finals earlier this year,” continues Robinson.

“They’re now aiming to go one better and make it to the national finals, as I am sure are all the teams. Good luck to them all.”

5.5.10

Ali Cayir produced a man of the match performance to help Bancrofts School progress in the first round of the David English Bunbury U13 Cricket Cup.

In a low-scoring game, Cayir top-scored with 31no, then took four wickets for just two runs to bowl Norfolk champions Beeston Hall School out for 54.

Bancrofts School will now play Suffolk champions St Joseph’s College in round two.

4.4.10

Records tumbled at the Butterfly National Schools Individual Table Tennis Championships at The Dome, Doncaster.

Leading the field was Natalie Slater (Staffordshire) who retained her girls U16 title for the third consecutive year, although she was pushed hard in the final by Abbie Milwain (Derbyshire), eventually winning 9-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-6, 11-4.

She was not alone with triple success as Tin Tin Ho took the girls’ U11 crown for the third year in a row, just a month after winning the British Primary Schools’ Individual title.

The London East girl showed her class by winning all her group and knockout matches in three straight games and beating Letitia McMullen (Hampshire) 11-1, 11-3, 11-8 in the final.

More than 250 players from 50 counties took part in 750 matches in the 37th championships in eight age groups, organised by the English Schools’ Table Tennis Association and sponsored by Ransome Sporting Goods.

Sam Walker (Nottinghamshire) also completed a fantastic treble by beating Sean Cullen (Derbyshire) 8-11, 11-7, 11-7, 13-11 in the final of the boys U19 - adding to previous successes in the U13s in 2008 and U11s in 2005.

Kent’s Helshan Weerasinghe performed a similar feat following 2007 and 2008 U11 title wins by beating Tyrone Wells (London West) 11-8, 11-7, 11-7 in the boys’ U13 championships.

Hugo Pang (Dorset) followed his success in the British Primary Individual Championships by taking the Butterfly Schools’ Individual Boys’ U11 title for the second time but was pushed hard in a closely contested final by Marcus Giles (London South) 12-10, 11-6, 12-10.

New ESTTA champions included the vastly experienced Chloe Whyte (Cleveland), who won the girls’ U19 event by beating Lucy Davidson (Derbyshire) 9-11, 11-9, 14-12, 11-6.

There were close games in the girls’ U13 competition, where Isobel Ashley (Derbyshire) beat Emma Torkington (West Sussex) 11-9, 11-9, 11-8.

30.4.10

Two Huddersfield schools came face to face in the first round of the School Sport Magazine National U17 Cricket Cup.

And it was Huddersfield New College who emerged triumphant over Shelley College by restricting them to 130-9 and then reaching the target for the loss of only one wicket with Gorrod top-scoring with an unbeaten 84.

Gloucester’s Crypt School beat Cirencester College by nine wickets in a south-west region first round encounter after Chris Gresty’s 3-6 helped restrict Cirencester to 73-7.

In the David English Bunbury U13 Cup, Sussex champions Warden Park School bowled Barnet’s Queen Elizabeth Grammar School out for 77 before coasting to a ten wicket first round victory off just ten overs.

29.4.10

Monmouth School won the all-Wales clash in the first round of the School Sport Magazine National U17 Cricket Cup with a 106 run victory over Amman Valley School

Leering top scored with an unbeaten 123 as Monmouth totalled 264-2 before restricting Amman Valley 158-8 to earn a second round trip to Bryanston School in Dorset.

In the ESCA Lord’s Taverners U15 Cup, Wellington College earned a second round trip to Brentwood School after beating RGS Guildford by 110 runs.

Jack Hersh top scored with 47 for Wellington as they reached 232-5 then saw Guildford lose wickets at regular intervals as they finished on 122-8.

In the David English Bunbury U13 Cup, Taunton Prep School beat St Michael’s Middle School, from Dorset, by 80 runs after compiling 164-9 in their 35 overs.

29.4.10

Hartpury College hung on to beat Ivybridge College 21-16 in yesterday's thrilling first AASE Rugby Union League Championship Final.

Hartpury, from Gloucester, scored three tries to one against the Devon side on the finals day at Henley through Ian Clark, Nathan Taylor and Alex Hughes while England U18 full back Ryan Mills added two penalties.

They were sharper behind the scrum and might have piled up a bigger score had it not been for a bold Ivybridge comeback in the second half.

They trailed 16-3 at the break with a man in the sin-bin but Tom Mugford's interception try and a conversion and three penalties from Rob Avery-Wright got them back into the game. Sam Hill was held up on the line five minutes from time.

England assistant coach Graham Rowntree and national U18 coaches John Fletcher and Peter Walton were among the spectators at the climax of the inaugural Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) U18 competition, which involves the 12 leading rugby-playing colleges in the country.

The programme is designed to offer young people the chance to pursue rugby excellence and education at the same time with each college linked one of the 14 England Rugby Academies. Hartpury are tied to Gloucester Rugby and Ivybridge to Exeter Chiefs.

St Paul's from Sunbury beat Bristol’s Filton College 38-7 in the Plate final and Saracens' centre Sam Stanley scored 30 points - three tries, six conversions and a penalty - as Oaklands beat Truro 65-0 to win the Bowl.

28.4.10

Wilmslow High School’s U16 girls were crowned England Sports College Netball Champions in Plymouth.

The Stockport and Cheshire champions enjoyed six wins and one draw during an undefeated finals day.

Coach Rosie Harris said: ‘These girls have been brilliant and a joy to work with. They fully deserve this recognition.

“Winning the England Sports College Championship was the icing on the cake of a very successful season. I am looking forward to even more successes next season.”

28.4.1

Brothers George and Harry Thurstance both scored undefeated centuries for Bedford Modern School on the same day.

Year 13 student George hit 133no against Haileybury School for the 1st XI while younger brother Harry scored 100no for Bedford’s U15 team.

Paul Woodroffe, director of cricket at Bedford Modern, said: “This event is unique in my experience.

“George and Harry have worked really hard over the winter on their batting and hopefully this is just the start of a fantastic summer for them both.”

27.4.10

Batsman Andy Gorvin smashed one of the highest scores in the history of the David English National Schools U13 Bunbury Cricket Cup to help Portsmouth Grammar School reach the last sixteen of the competition.

The young cricketer hit 164 as his side scored a mammoth 317-3 in just 30 overs against Isle of Wight champions Nodehill Middle School.

Portsmouth Grammar then completed a huge 298 run victory by bowling out Nodehill for just 19 runs.

The Hampshire champions will now play either Bristol Grammar School or Gloucester’s Crypt School for a place in the quarter finals.

In the U13 northern region, Tom Norman scored 36 and James Nettleton took 3-17 as Hymers College bowled Leeds Grammar School all out for 119 and won by six wickets.

In the School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup, Folkestone’s Harvey Grammar School beat Kent rivals Sir Joseph Williamson’s School by five wickets to earn a second round trip to St Bede’s School, Hailsham.

27.4.10

Schools across the UK are today being urged to pull on their trainers, get off the starting blocks and register to take part in the UK’s biggest fun run.

Now in its sixth year, the Tesco Great School Run - organised by those behind the iconic Great North Run - aims to encourage children between the ages of five and 11 to get fit and healthy through exercise and nutrition advice.

Since registrations opened, youngsters from more than 1,000 schools have signed up to take part in the two-kilometre (1.2miles) run which will take place at their own schools between Monday 14 to Friday 18 June.

Now organisers are encouraging any schools in the region that haven’t already registered to sign up and take part.

Colin Jackson, Olympic medallist and world record breaker, is supporting the Tesco Great School Run for the third year in a row.

He said: “This is a fantastic event and 2010 promises to be the best year yet with registrations already fast approaching the one million mark.

“It is so easy to get involved and we want schools throughout the UK to back the event and show children that exercising is not only fun but an important part of ensuring that they grow up fit and healthy.

“The run always attracts a great deal of support and interest but this year we really want to smash our previous record of one million and would encourage schools not to miss out on the opportunity to be a part of such a great event.”

During finale week in June, Colin will take to the sky on a helicopter tour, touching down at schools around the UK and meeting with youngsters that are taking part in the challenge.

In preparation for finale week, schools can also take part in a special training programme designed to promote the values of goal setting and healthy eating.

Schools that register for the Tesco Great School Run will receive a free teacher’s pack containing all the materials they need to help run their race day including interactive school assemblies on DVD.

Colin continued: “It really is simple to get involved in Tesco Great School Run and I would urge any school that hasn’t already done so to register online at www.greatschoolrun.org today.”

26.4.10

The battle of Truro in the first round of the School Sport Magazine U17 Cricket Cup saw bragging rights go to the state sector.

Truro College beat local rivals Truro School by 203 runs after hitting 259-3 in a reduced 30 overs tie.

Captain Dan Jenkin led the way with 57 runs, featuring in a second wicket partnership of 129 with Paul Smith, who top scored with 79.

Valuable contributions from Adam Chapman (41no) and Tom Eggins (43no) boosted the final score before left arm spinners Ross Pascoe (3-5) and Dan Ponting (2-2) helped bowl Truro School out for 56.

Truro College will now visit either Gloucester’s Crypt School or Cirencester College in round two.

26.4.10

Gloucester’s Hartpury College will face Ivybridge Community College in the first national rugby union AASE League Championship Final at Henley this Wednesday.

Hartpury included current England U18 internationals Ryan Mills and Dan Robson in their side as they powered past Twyford 46-8 in their semi final.

Wing Ian Clark and lock Rob Langley shared four tries with Mills supplying five conversions and two penalties.

Ivybridge had a tighter semi-final, beating Northampton's Moulton College 19-8, but the two finalists were separated by only a single point when they met earlier this year.

“We played them in January in a very tight game and did well to snatch the win,” said Hartpury's junior rugby academy director Alan Martinovic. “They're a strong side, we know that. There's more at stake now and we'll have to be at our best.”

Martinovic, who coached Colston's to seven Daily Mail RBS Schools Cup finals, is enthusiastic about the AASE scheme - now in its third year - and the new competition.

“The AASE League will develop into a very strong competition. It's made an excellent start and everyone's done a good job putting it in place,” he said.

“There are now AASE sides as strong as any traditional schools sides in the country and there's now a much wider range of opportunities for young players. As far as rugby's concerned, having more choice has got to be a good thing.”

Ivybridge's AASE scheme is run by former Saracens flanker and England Sevens star Tony Roques and his former Exeter Chiefs teammate Danny Porte.

Their side needed all their resolve to get past Moulton according to Exeter's assistant academy manager Rob Gibson.

Scrum half Ben Spencer scored two tries, Sam Hill got the other and Dan Mugford added two conversions for a team that included highly-rated England U18 hooker Koree Britton and second row Addison Lockley.

“It was a cracking game. They threw everything at us and for 15 minutes in the first half they were camped on our line,” said Gibson.

“We changed a couple of things at half time, were able to generate quicker ball and two tries early in the second half took the wind out of their sails.”

Gibson added: “We've always tried to find the toughest fixtures we can and this has provided us with something to focus on. The only way the players will learn is to play in tough games.

“Overall it's a fantastic programme and we've got guys like Tony [Roques] and Dan [Porte] who can help the players look after themselves on and off the field. It'll be a huge bonus for England rugby in the future.”

The Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence U18 competition involves the 12 leading rugby-playing colleges in the country as part of a programme designed to offer young people the chance to pursue rugby excellence and education at the same time.

Each of the colleges is linked one of the 14 England Rugby Academies - Hartpury with Gloucester Rugby and Ivybridge with Exeter Chiefs.

23.4.10

Batsman Christian Davis launched School Sport Magazine’s National Schools U17 Cup in stunning style by smashing six sixes off one over.

The amazing feat – achieved only a handful of times in cricketing history – helped Bedford School win their first round clash with Hertford’s Richard Hale School.

Bedford were 150-5 and in need of some quick runs when England U18 star Christian stepped up to smash all six balls of an over for six.

Incredibly, Christian’s 36 run feat took place in the 36th over of the match.

Batting first, Bedford amassed 208-9 off their 40 overs with Davis ably assisted by James Kettleborough (45) and Tim Graham (32).

Richard Hale responded bravely but succumbed to 125 all out thanks to Kettleborough (3-11), Sohal (2-26) and Wharton (2-26).

Bedford will now play either Aylesbury Grammar School or Hitchin Boys School in round two.

In a thrilling Midlands region first round clash, Hill Road Sixth Form College, from Cambridge, pipped Wisbech Grammar School with just two balls to spare.

Wisbech thought they had done enough after setting an impressive target of 217 in their 40 overs.

But in a high-scoring game, Tom Staley (82no) and Seb Hammersley (79) saw Hills Road home in the last over.
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They will now face Oundle School on Wednesday 12th May in round two.

22.4.10

Repton School won the national schools U18 hockey cup for boys for the first time by beating Whitgift 3-1 in the final at Cannock Hockey Club.

In the U16 boys final, Cranleigh School lifted the title – but only after a 3-1 penalty shoot-out against Trent College after the match finished in a 0-0 stalemate.

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

21.4.10

Schoolgirls Katie Stainton, from Solihull’s Arden School, and Tanisha Clayton, from Basingstoke’s Brighton Hill Community College, were named joint winners of the overall girls title at this year’s Aviva Sportshall UK Athletics Final at Birmingham’s LG Arena.

Ryan King, from Chester-le-Street’s Park View Community School, took the overall boys prize ahead of Robbie Stenhouse, of Jersey’s Victoria College, Arden’s Rowan May and Wimbledon College’s Daniel Ghosh.

(For a full report and pictures, check out the next edition of the magazine)

20.4.10

Earlston High School won the Brewin Dolphin U15 Scottish Schools' Rugby Union Bowl with a 29-19 win over Linlithgow High School composite on the Murrayfield back pitches last night.

Despite Linlithgow getting off to the perfect start with an early breakaway try from Lewis Herdman, Earlston kept their cool and clawed back the tie with four first-half scores from open-side flanker Richard Taylor, wing Richard Black and blind-side flanker Andy Robertson - followed by the pick of the bunch from wing James Park, just one minute from half-time.

The lofty winger cleanly collected a high ball at the touchline of his own 22 and made chase after he hoofed the ball straight downfield deep into Linlithgow territory.

Then, on the opposite 22, Park collected the ball off a kind bounce to run in the score behind the posts. Stand-off and captain Richard Taylor added the conversion.

Linlithgow's second-half game plan leant much more towards their strengths in direct running and, while they had much possession in the second-half, their two scores from scrum-half Gregor Campbell and wing Kieron Faules came either side of a fifth Earlston try from inside-centre Connor Spence to ultimately hand the tie - and the trophy - to the Borders school.

19.4.10

One of the most picturesque grounds in the country will host the final of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

Great & Little Tew Cricket Club in Oxfordshire will be the venue for the final on Wednesday September 8, with a reserve date of September 9 set aside.

Not only does the ground have a stunning location, but the club boasts one of the best wickets in the county and plays host to minor county league cricket.

Schools from more than 40 counties will be represented in the first year of the event with five knock-out rounds, split into geographical regions, taking place throughout the summer term.

The competition, which has been endorsed by the doyen of schools cricket David English, will be unique in the schools cricket calendar as it has attracted entries from both state and independent schools as well as sixth form colleges.

Teams include Oundle School and Portsmouth Grammar, who fought out the final of the ESCA/Lords Taverners U15 Trophy in 2008.

As well as English schools and colleges, Belmont House School will be flying the flag for Scotland while Monmouth and Amman Valley schools are among the Welsh entries.

Results and short reports with significant performances should be sent to info@schoolsportmag.co.uk and will be included both in the magazine and on the website.

Results and reports from both the national schools ESCA/David English Bunbury U13 Cup and ESCA/Lords Taverners U15 Trophy should also be sent to info@schoolsportmag.co.uk

14.4.10

Somerset schoolboy Jos Buttler has been named the third Young Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year.

The King’s College, Taunton, pupil scored 554 runs in ten innings at an average of 61.55 but missed several games because of a broken thumb and England U19 commitments.

In 2009, he scored at more than a run a ball in every innings and hit a century for Somerset 2nd XI against Hampshire.

He also made his first class debut (one of only two schoolboys to do so last year), scoring 30 against Lancashire and was then included in Somerset’s Twenty20 Champions League campaign in India.

Forty one pages are dedicated to schools cricket in the new Wisden Cricketers Almanack 2010, published today.

Aaron West, from Brentwood School in Essex, headed the schools batting averages, scoring the most runs with 1,290 at an average of 117.27 with a highest score of 153no.

William Culhane, from City of London Freemen’s School, claimed the most wickets with 56, including best figures of 8-18 while Malvern College’s Will Meredith took 53.

King’s College, Taunton, and Winchester College were named the leading cricket schools in the country with winning averages of 88.24%, although King’s lost only one game to Winchester’s two.

The Leys School, from Cambridge, and Manchester Grammar School were the only two sides reporting an unbeaten season.

31.3.10

Three Cheshire state schools were on cloud nine after winning three of the four Daily Mail RBS National Schools finals at Twickenham today.

Wilmslow High School won the prestigious U15 Cup by beating Wellington College 10-7, Lymm High School defeated Brighton College 24-10 to lift the U15 Vase while Sandbach School completed the Cheshire hat-trick by overcoming Norwich School 14-3 in the U18 Vase.

In the U18 Cup final, Whitgift School lived up their tag as favourites by beating Newcastle Royal Grammar School 34-10.

(For full reports and pictures of the finals, check out the next edition of School Sport Magazine, out on April 19)

31.3.10

Schools cricket is celebrating Middlesex fast bowler Steve Finn becoming the 50th Bunbury schoolboy to go on to play for England.

David English started the national U15 Bunbury ESCA Festival in 1987 in which the best young cricketers in the country compete against each other in four regional teams.

Now, as well as 50 players going on to represent England, 189 others have played first class cricket for different counties.

This year’s 24th Bunbury ESCA U15 Festival will take place at the University of Chester in Cheshire from July 26-30.

Former Bunbury schoolboys who went onto play for England include stars such as Andrew Flintoff, Michael Vaughan, Paul Collingwood, Marcus Trescothick, Luke Wright and Graeme Swann.

31.3.10

Schools looking to enhance their sports facilities can take advantage of three exhibitions this year organised by the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA).

The 2010 events will take place at the Royal Armouries, Leeds on Tuesday June 15, the King’s Hall, Belfast on Tuesday October 19 and Twickenham Stadium, London on Tuesday November 23.

The one-day exhibitions and seminars will feature specialist providers of products and services from across the sports facility construction industry, including sports facility constructors, technical consultants, product and equipment suppliers, specialist contractors and sports governing bodies and organizations.

Experts will be on hand to provide advice and educational seminars aimed particularly at those intending to build or refurbish sports and play surfaces and buidlings or upgrading facilities by including fencing and floodlighting etc.

SAPCA events are open to all those concerned with the design, procurement, construction and maintenance of sports surfaces and associated works including architects, specifiers, local authorities, schools, universities, voluntary sports clubs, sports and leisure centres, community projects, playing field management, contractors and sports organisations.

Attendance at the events, including any of the seminars, is free of charge and full programmes will be available at www.sapca.org.uk a few weeks before each event date.

Delegate registration can be completed online at www.sapca.org.uk or by telephone on 024 7641 6316.

30.3.10

Four schools have been penalised in a Rugby Football Union crackdown on the number of tickets sold on the black market

All Hallows Catholic School, Bradford Grammar School, Coseley School and Welling School have all received the loss of their allocation for one year.

The sanctions, applicable from September 1, are decided on an individual basis and are judged against the severity of the case in terms of the number of tickets, how they got onto the black market, the steps taken by the club to prevent misuse and whether or not they have offended before.

They bring the number of sanctions handed out in the past three years to clubs, schools and individuals to 228, ranging from a suspended 10 per cent reduction in entitlement to a four year total ticket ban.

RFU business operations director Paul Vaughan said: “The fact that we have now imposed over 220 sanctions shows our commitment to reducing the number of tickets reaching the black market.

“We remain determined to take action against those who breach our ticketing terms and conditions by reselling them to unauthorised operators or even advertising tickets for resale.”

30.3.10

Settle Middle School girls emerged with a clean sweep of victories at the National Emerging Schools Rugby Union Festival at Pontefract when they were unbeaten in a seven-match programme of games involving year 7, 8 and 9 pupils.

The success of the girls was then matched the following day by the year 7 Boys, who recorded a clean sweep of four wins from their programme against Tapton, Allertonshire, Hessle and Ossett, the latter finishing runners-up.

With some of the girls involved encountering full contact rugby for the first time, the format of the girls' programme involved micro coaching sessions with each group, with the coaching sessions covering tackling, passing, running with the ball and how to scrummage.

There were competitions for each age group, with the main focus of the day being participation and introducing the girls to the fun of rugby.

Settle's year 7 team proved too strong for Allertonshire, winning by 11 tries to one, but while the year 8 team also finished unbeaten, their four-match series of games was much more competitive.

Teams from Settle, Carlton Community, Allertonshire and Wensleydale comprised the year 8 group, with Settle winning all three games, but finishing with an 8-3 try aggregate. Wensleydale finished runners-up, ahead of Allertonshire and Carlton.

Player of the Series was Ellen Spencer of Carlton Community, who caught the eye with some clever running and good creative skills.

The year 9 competition featured Carlton Community, Settle Middle and a joint Allertonshire/Wenleydale team with Settle winning both games without conceding a try and scoring nine.

In the boys' year 8 section, unbeaten Pudsey Grangefield emerged winners by two points from Ridgewood, with Rossett School just two points further adrift, while at year 9 level, Cottingham also posted a clean sheet of four victories to beat Rossett into second place.

With 25 teams taking part in the two-day tournament, the festival fully lived up to the ethos of the RFU's Emerging Schools Programme.

Last year over 50,000 children attending schools who played little or no rugby were involved and the Pontefract youngsters were part of another batch of children in action in over 450 festivals across the country.

The Emerging Schools Programme began 12 years ago and has evolved due to the changing nature of schools rugby.

The girls' section was added two years ago and the year 9 boys section has been added this year to extend opportunity up the age range.

29.3.10

Whitgift School are aiming to combine rugby skills with mental toughness as they bid to win the prestigious Daily Mail RBS U18 Cup in the final against RGS Newcastle at Twickenham Stadium this Wednesday.

Whitgift coach Chris Wilkins has enlisted the help of a sports psychologist Charlie Unwin to work with the players in three sessions since the New Year, getting them in the right frame of mind as they build towards the big day.

“We want the boys to enjoy the surroundings while not being distracted by them or the occasion,” said Wilkins, who as a flanker played at Twickenham for England Colts against Canada and in the Middlesex Sevens for Blackheath.

“It is a great honour for them but they need to keep their feet firmly on the ground, to concentrate and play to the peak of our performance - to remember what served us well during the season, which I'd say was honest hard work on and off the ball, and doing the basics well, hopefully to generate quick ball and show what we can do.”

Whitgift, from Croydon in Surrey, won the U15 Cup in 1999 and 2003, the latter with London Wasps' England international Danny Cipriani in the side, and have lost just twice this season including a tour to New Zealand.

Wilkins is crossing his fingers that three England U18 players - wing Marland Yarde, second row George Merrick and centre Elliot Daly - come through the weekend’s international against Wales in Swansea. Yarde and Daly started for England while Merrick was on the bench.

“We had a week of sevens including a trip to Sussex and then we played a Kent select team as a warm-up,” said Wilkins, whose captain and hooker Charlie Hopkins and scrum half Jamie Stevenson form part of a six-man 'leadership group'.

“The last week of preparation has gone well and now we are looking forward to the final and the whole school coming to support us, which is around 1500 people including staff, plus 1800 old boys too.”

The full line-up Twickenham finals this Wednesday is as follows:

11am: Daily Mail RBS U15 Vase - Brighton College v Lymm High School; 12.30pm: Daily Mail RBS U15 Cup - Wilmslow High School v Wellington College; 2pm: Daily Mail RBS U18 Vase - Norwich School v Sandbach School; 3.30pm: Daily Mail RBS U18 Cup - Whitgift School v RGS Newcastle

26.3.10

Norwich School are hoping to emphasise the success of rugby in Norfolk with victory in the Daily Mail RBS U18 Vase at Twickenham Stadium next Wednesday (March 31).

Both Norwich and their rivals in the showpiece match, Sandbach School from Cheshire, are making their first Twickenham cup final appearances.

And Iain Grisewood, the Norwich coach, is buoyed by the appearance of six old boys of the Norfolk schools circuit in a club side's prestigious win earlier this season.

“When Leicester Tigers defeated the Springboks from South Africa last November they had half a dozen Norfolk lads in their squad,” Grisewood said, referring to Dan Hipkiss, Ben and Tom Youngs, Ben Pienaar, Calum Green and Tom Armes.

“Norfolk rugby tends to go under most people's radar but the school are affiliated to Leicester Tigers and we are both feeling the benefit.”

Norwich defeated The Coopers' Company and Coborn School from Essex 13-6 in their semi final, on a run which has easily outdone their best previous knockout performance, reaching the last 16 of last season's U18 Cup.

Local rivals Wymondham College - who had knocked Norwich out of this season's U18 Cup - agreed to provide the opposition in a warm-up for the Vase final, with Grisewood asking Wymondham to replicate the Sandbach style, which he expects to be “fast and furious with attacks from almost anywhere.”

Grisewood will have an old team-mate from college days opposite him in Simon Robertson, the Sandbach coach who was a first-year fly half or centre to Grisewood's full back when they were students.

Now the accent is on what the present day Norwich boys can do on the big stage of the home of England Rugby.

“We are really looking forward to the occasion,” said Grisewood, “and it was marvellous when the school broke up today to see the boys presented with their match-day shirts by our headmaster Jim Hawkins in assembly at Norwich Cathedral.

“We have got through our 1000 tickets and there are seven or eight buses coming down, so we should have great support.

“We're all in good shape and our England U16 centre George Catchpole has come through their trials and will play for us in the final the day before going off to the international Four Nations tournament in Italy.

“We are coming down with a purpose, to play as well as we can and hopefully that will be good enough.”

25.3.10

The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Girls' Cup U15 and U18 semi-finals get underway on Sunday with club and school sides going head to head in the penultimate round of the inaugural competition.

The big names of girls' rugby have been kept apart in the U18s, with Gala girls heading north to take on Gordon Schools, while Murrayfield Wanderers travel to Perthshire to face the only club or school with a team left in both competitions, the Community School of Auchterarder.

Relatively new kids on the girls' rugby block, Auchterarder have already begun to capture attention with a string of strong performances.

Their U15s travel to face the Ayrshire Cluster, while Langholm will host the Atholl/Central Cluster.

Last season investment manager and long-term sponsor of the boys' Scottish Schools' Cup, Brewin Dolphin, extended its sponsorship to include the girls' competition as part of a new three-year deal that sees the partnership with Scottish Rugby extended until 2012.

Scotland Women's captain Lynne Reid said: “Scottish Rugby is now an integrated governing body and the inclusion of competitions for schoolgirls within the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Cup sponsorship is a great example of rugby being developed and supported in an integrated fashion and confirmation that girls like rugby too.

“This is fantastic news for young female rugby players across the country and the future of the women's game as a whole.”

Colin Thomson, head of community rugby at Scottish Rugby said: “We are pleased with the commitment shown by long-term sponsor Brewin Dolphin to youth and schools rugby, which I believe stands as testimony to the progress that has been made by all partners involved in the growth and development of rugby across Scotland.

“I believe the extension of their sponsorship, to support the introduction of girls' competitions, demonstrates the progress that has also been made in the growth and development of girls' rugby over the last couple of seasons.”

Marc Wilkinson, director at Brewin Dolphin, said: “This is our first year sponsoring the Girls' Cup competition and we are delighted with the response from the both schools and clubs. We are nearing the semi final stages of the Cup and can now see the quality of rugby being played by girls across Scotland.

“We have supported boys' schools rugby for many years and for us to be able to extend our support to the girls' competition reinforces our commitment to developing grassroots rugby in Scotland. We wish all of the teams the best of luck in the semi finals.”

Brewin Dolphin U18 Girls Cup Semi Finals (Sunday March 28): Gordon Schools Huntly v Gala; Community School of Auchterarder v Murrayfield Wanderers

Brewin Dolphin U15 Girls Cup Semi Finals (Sunday March 28): Ayrshire Cluster v Community School of Auchterarder; Langholm v Atholl/Central Cluster

Brewin Dolphin U18 Girls Shield Final (Saturday April 25): Plockton High School v Ayrshire Cluster

Brewin Dolphin U15 Girls Shield Final (Saturday April 25): Murrayfield Wanderers v Glasgow Cluster

24.3.10

Wellington College U15 run out at Twickenham next Wednesday (Mar 31) for the final of the 2010 Daily Mail RBS Schools U15 Cup where they face tough Northern opposition in the shape of Cheshire's Wilmslow High School (ko 12.30pm).

Over the years the Crowthorne based college have been reasonably regular U15 finalists, their most recent being the final of two years ago when they beat Millfield School to lift the title.

Their current head of rugby and former London Irish scrum half Kevin Brennan says, however, that this year's team has had to work much harder to get there.

“The two sides are very different,” he points out. “This side have had some very close calls whereas the team of two years ago sailed through.

“This year's squad has had to put in some hard work to get to Twickenham and it's been their spirit and never-say-die attitude that has carried them through.”

In all they've ploughed their way successfully through eight rounds and won some really nail-biting and character forming games along the way to achieve their ultimate goal.

“The Colston's Collegiate win (13-0) was the outstanding performance of the run so far where they played really, really well,” sums up Brennan.

“We also did well to beat Hampton (16-5) and Sherborne School (7-10) was very tight away from home as it was our first game in two months.”

Because the college only plays one term of rugby, their matches after Christmas are limited to their Daily Mail RBS Cup appearances, a fact which prompted them to arrange an additional match against a Berkshire U15 side as part of their cup final preparations.

Coached by maths teacher and former Royal Marine Gareth Pearson and assisted by English teacher James Heal, the team are led by No.8 Alex Corner and are well served by a pacey back line that has turned their two wings Tom Inglis and Yemisi Belo into the sides top try scorers.

Another key man who provides a steady flow of quick ball for his backs to exploit is scrum half Simon Sexton, who is a member of the current England U16 squad.

“We'll try and play some nice running rugby as we usually do,” maintains Brennan. “Wilmslow, however, have some big, physical, boys up front and good half-backs so we are in for a tough game.

“But our boys played against a bigger pack when they faced Hampton in the semi-final and, hopefully, we can move Wilmslow around a bit like we did to Hampton.”

Their opponents Wilmslow High School U15s beat QEGS, Wakefield, 19-7, in their semi-final to make their first ever U15 final although their U18 side did reach the Vase final three years ago

One spectator with more than a passing interests in next Wednesday's events at Twickenham will be England back-row man James Haskell who himself appeared in an U15 final for Wellington College whilst there studying.

He says: “It's great to see my old school at Twickenham again because I was lucky enough to be in the Wellington College team that won the U15 Cup a few years ago. It was an early milestone in my career that I will always treasure in my memory and it inspired me to take my career in the game further.”

“Schools Day at Twickenham is an unforgettable climax to the four Daily Mail RBS competitions which create so much of a buzz in schools during the season as their Cup or Vase runs gather pace.

“Getting to Twickenham is the aim for all the players and coaches taking part and, if the journey ends with the chance to perform on one of rugby's most famous stages, the memories will live for ever.”

22.3.10

Barking Abbey, Bromsgrove and Hulme Grammar Schools won the U19, U16 and U14 titles at the National Schools Netball finals at Roedean School in Brighton.

Barking Abbey triumphed in the U19 event, beating Hartbury College 11-4 in the final and also winning the award for most goals in the tournament with a total of 129.

Bromsgrove School, who won the U14 title last year, beat Loreto Grammar School 13-7 to land the U16 crown.

And in the tightest final, Hulme Grammar School won the U14 event by overcoming Parkstone Grammar 8-7.

Fifty four teams, 43 schools and more than 600 young netballers overcame wind and rain in the showpiece of the schools’ netball calendar.

The three teams from Central Newcastle High School were collectively awarded the Endeavour Award for their good sportsmanship throughout the competition.

Janet Wrighton, England Netball president, said: “My thanks go out to all those who volunteered to make sure the event was a success and it was fantastic to see so many talented, young netballers enjoying such a great day. Well done to those teams who won.”

(For full reports and pictures check out the next edition of School Sport Magazine next month)

19.3.10

Bishop’s Stortford College have reached the finals of the national boys U14 hockey championships after being crowned East of England champions.

After beating Chigwell School 3-0 in the East semi finals, Daniel Smart scored another two goals as the Hertfordshire school beat Gresham School 3-1 in the final.

Earlier, Bishop’s Stortford became Hertfordshire champions by beating John Warner School, Hoddesdon, 12-0 and Watford Grammar 5-0.

Coach and deputy head Graham Brooks said: “I was immensely proud to see the boys leading so well, setting the space and moving the ball wide against such strong opposition.

“Their attitude and conduct, both on and off the pitch, were a real credit to the college and Calum Doherty was outstanding as a leader and captain.

“Often teams rely on one or two outstanding players for their success but there is strong talent across the whole squad and it is lovely to watch them play with, and for, each other. They play really well as a team and for this reason they have huge potential.”

Bishop’s Stortford now bid for glory at the national finals at Cannock Hockey Club on April 21-22.

18.3.10

Fifty four teams and forty three schools will battle it out for national netball glory at Roedean School in Brighton this Saturday.

Hosted by England Netball, more than 600 pupils will compete to become national schools champions at U14, U16 and U19 levels.

Last year’s U14 winners Bromsgrove School, from the West Midlands, have qualified for the U16 competition this year round and will be looking to bring home a winning trophy again.

Previous U16 winners Beaconsfield High School, from Buckinghamshire, have qualified for both the U14 and U19 finals while last year’s U19 winners Cardinal Newman will be looking to defend their crown.

All the schools taking part have competed in a national, season-long knock-out competition, each either winning or coming second in the regional rounds to qualify for a place at the prestigious finals day event.

Running for more than 40 years, England Netball Chair Cheryl Danson said: “National schools finals day has to be one of the best grassroots events we host and I look forward to it every year.

“It brings together all the young talent in the country, providing a great platform from which to spot young stars of the future as well as being a fantastic, fun day for all involved.”

With so many top netballing schools taking part in the competition, England Netball’s National Head Excel Coach will be in attendance looking for potential players to develop further through the Excel Development Programme which, since its inception two years ago, is developing top-flight England players of the future.

Janet Wrightson, England Netball’s president, will be presenting the winners’ trophies, the top goal-scoring team of the day plus the Endeavour Trophy, awarded to the team that shows excellent sportsmanship throughout the event.

17.3.10

George Watson’s College beat their Edinburgh rivals Boroughmuir High School 5-2 to win the final of the Scottish Schools National Boys Hockey Cup.

Their girls were denied a glorious double when they were beaten by Glasgow’s Hutchesons’ Grammar School.

9.3.10

Strathallan 1st XI girls hockey team qualified for the Scottish Schools finals by winning the Midland District Knock Out Cup Final against Dollar Academy 3-2.

Dollar Academy took an early lead in the first half before Mhairi Bannerman brought the scores level and Charlotte Hartmann added a second before Hartmann clinched the winner.

The Scottish Schools Finals take place at Peffermill Stadium this week.

9.3.10

Sedbergh School carried off the Bowring Trophy at the 22nd North of England Schools' Invitational Sevens at Birkenhead Park.

Bromsgrove School took the Boodle & Dunthorne Salver for the Plate competition and King's School, Macclesfield, claimed the inaugural Gill Burns Trophy after a girls section was added to the competition for the first time.

Sedbergh's success denied Kirkham their hopes of a hat trick of wins and consigned their final opponents Hymers College from Hull to their fourth consecutive final defeat after they went down 24-14 in the showpiece.

The Plate final was a very tense affair, with Bromsgrove beating Lymm HS 21-19.

King's School, Macclesfield beat Giggleswick 24-14 in the girls final and they collected the trophy from the Gill Burns, President of the Rugby Football Union for Women, who has been instrumental in getting girls rugby on the North of England Schools Invitational Sevens agenda.

“A large proportion of the current England women's squad started playing their rugby when they were at school so this is an important stepping stone for young girls out there, be it whether they want to play rugby for their school, club, county or even country one day,” said the former England women's international.

The Bowring Trophy was presented by Dai Davies, President of the Cheshire Schools Union, while Cheshire County President Peter Rhodes did the honours with Boodle & Dunthorne Salver.

9.3.10

Fylde RFC's 63rd National Schools Sevens this weekend has attracted another bumper entry, with 42 teams and over 500 players and teachers from all parts of England descending on the club's Woodlands Memorial Ground.

Holders Kirkham Grammar School from neighbouring Preston do not have far to travel to defend the trophy, but their opponents come from much further afield, among them previous winners Ivybridge Community College, one of the RFU Academy teams in the line-up.

Another is Filton College from Bristol, while Whitchurch High School from Cardiff are among a group making their debuts in the competition, which was first played in 1948 and is one of the major events in the schools rugby diary.

The draw for the tournament is available on the Fylde website at www.fylderugby.co.uk which also includes reports and photographs from the 2009 tournament.

Further information from organiser Nigel Pollard, either via Fylde RFC offices on 01253 734733 or e-mail info@fylderugby.co.uk

8.3.10

Two second-half tries from No.8 Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas and one from wing Nathan Budd saw Wilmslow High School ease through to their first ever Daily Mail RBS U15 Schools Cup final at Twickenham following their 19-7 win over Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, at Broadstreet RFC.

The Cheshire state school will now face Berkshire based Wellington College in the showpiece U15 final at the headquarters of English rugby on Wednesday, March 31.

It's the first time that the school’s U15 side have ever reached a Daily Mail RBS Schools final although their U18 team did lose 3-0 in the final of the U18 Vase competition, for first round losers, three years ago.

Delighted assistant head teacher and director of sport Stuart Dodds said: “It was stalemate for the first 25 minutes but in the final five minutes of the half we nearly scored twice.

“In the second-half we started to really play and found a little extra space and began stretching them a little.”

All-square 0-0 at the start of the second half, Wilmslow finally cracked the QEGS defence after just two minutes of the restart with the first of Hirskyj-Douglas's brace.

It followed a neat line-break and a solid maul that eventually set up the No.8 to force his way over for the opening, unconverted, try.

Four minutes later they added a second when wing Nathan Budd, chasing a box kick, was quickly up on the QEGS full back to charge his attempted clearance kick down and run on to a kindly bounce and touchdown behind the posts.

Scrum half Will Batterbury converted with ease and also endorsed Wilmslow's third try set-up by some excellent pick and drive play from the pack that took them into the QEGS 22.

Butterbury broke to find tight-head prop Robert Taylor on his shoulder who, in turn, set-up Hirskyj-Taylor for his second five-pointer of the match.

At 19-0 and time running out, it was game over for QEGS but they still managed to break their duck with almost the final move of the match with a try finished off by right wing Henry Browning and converted by James Fox.

Wilmslow can now look forward to a dream Twickenham clash in just over three weeks time when they'll meet a Wellington Colleges side with a proud Daily Mail Cup tradition and who have spawned players such as current England back-row man James Haskell.

“It's very exciting. We've just got to keep our feet on the ground,” said Dodds. “I saw snippets of their semi-final and they look a polished side and certainly have pace outside.”

A second-half try from replacement wing Yemisi Belo and a fly half Charlie Wicks drop-goal ensured Crowthorne based Wellington College's U15 team their place in the final with a 16-5 victory over Hampton School..

Wellington scored as early as the second minute of the match and led all the way to make their second final in three years.

“The boys played excellently,” summed up Wellington's proud head coach Graham Pearson. “We were worried about Hampton but we went out with a clear game plan which the boys executed brilliantly.”

In fact, Wellington blasted out of the blocks and were 5-0 up inside two minutes of the kick-off from a move that started almost on the halfway line.

Some swift hands saw the ball speed out to right-wing Tom Inglis who added a mazey run to the move to finally touch down wide out.

Hampton, however, hit back soon after to tie the match at 5-5 with some concerted pick and drives up the left-hand touchline that finally yielded a try when skipper and No.8 Alex Lundberg forced his way over.

But, almost immediately, Wellington replied with a fairly straight-forward 30 metre penalty from Wicks that ultimately led to his side leading 8-5 at the break.

“We thought we should have been a bit further ahead of them as we felt we had the edge on them, but I was certainly pleased,” said Pearson.

And Pearson couldn't have asked for a better start to the second half from his charges as they swiftly extended their lead.

Another well executed handling move had replacement left-wing Belo scorching over for Wellington's second unconverted try.

“It was boom-boom-boom along the line and when he catches the ball he can run like the wind,” said Pearson.

Although Wicks missed the conversion, the fly half's drop-goal in the closing stages of the match underlined Wellington's superiority to ensure the trip to Twickenham.

“Wilmslow are a good side, a big side, very, very big and it'll be a good game,” Pearson added.

7.3.10

Lymm High School from Cheshire will face Brighton College in the final of this season's Daily Mail RBS Schools U15 Vase competition at Twickenham on March 31 after their semi-final victories at Broadstreet RFC, Coventry.

Lymm completed a hat trick of semi-final wins for Cheshire after Sandbach (Daily Mail RBS U18 Cup) and Wilmslow (Daily Mail RBS U15 Cup) won their semis to earn a place in the Schools Day jamboree at Twickenham.

The Cheshire school are no strangers to Twickenham, having twice reached the final of the U18 Vase in 2000 and 2006 and won the U15 Cup in 2007, and they were always in the driving seat in 22-7 semi-final over Harrogate Grammar School.

They established a 10-0 interval lead with a try from replacement Benjamin Benson and a conversion and penalty from full-back Chris Hunt.

Wingman Matthew Impey and centre James Kimber then added second-half tries and Hunt one conversion to take the game out of Harrogate's reach at 22-0 before flanker Nick Gilbert crossed for a late try for the Yorkshiremen that fly-half Will Clough converted.

“The lads played very well,” said coach Tom Hughes: “They played to the pattern we'd worked so hard on leading into the game after doing some homework on Harrogate.

“The team showed a huge amount of maturity in playing that game, it proved the right way to go and we won comfortably.

“We dominated the game through our pack and when the time came to release the ball, our fly-half James Mitchell was very good at reading a game and knowing when to kick and when to let the ball go.”

A barometer of Lymm's calibre is that they only went out of the Daily Mail RBS U15 Cup in round three on the 'away side' regulation after drawing 3-3 at home to eventual finalists Wilmslow High.

Despite defeat, Harrogate came away from Broadstreet with plenty of plusses to ease their disappointment.

“The whole Daily Mail RBS has been very positive for us,” said Harrogate coach Gordon Tweddle.

“They're the first team from the school to get this far in the competition and we're extremely proud of what they've achieved. Each year this team has got better and better and they've responded really well to it.

“Today we came up against a slightly better team and we wish them good luck in the final. There wasn't much in it on the day, but they took their chances well. They had a very good fly-half, who controlled the game.”

Brighton College emerged from a seven-try encounter with St Columba's College, St Albans, with a 31-21 victory and their first ever appearance at Twickenham, but they needed a last-minute try to secure the win against tenacious opponents who took them to the wire.

The win was Brighton's 15th consecutive success, but prior to their semi-final victory they had conceded only 15 tries in as many games.

That statistic underlines the calibre of the three-try opposition, as coach John Weeks confirmed.

“We struggled to live with their forward power,” he said. “Their forwards in the first-half and at the start of the second were absolutely tremendous and certainly they looked strong. If they'd had a bit more ball in the second-half, they'd have put more points on the board.

“We're absolutely delighted with the victory, which is an endorsement of the hard work the chaps have done right the way through since August.

“This was a gathering of the momentum that has been created and a lot of the foundations that we put in place early on in the season slotted into place today.”

There was also praise from the man in charge for the way his team reacted to the pressure of a semi-final situation having never previously moved beyond the quarter-finals.

“The key for us was the preparation and we kept the boys very calm yesterday. To be honest, they are a group that is full of beans and they don't get nervous that easily, so it was quite an easy job for me.

“We tried to be thorough and the boys reacted fantastically. Nerves weren't a factor today, which is another testament to the players.”

Individual honours on the day went to full-back Jack Jones, who grabbed a brace of tries to take his tally for the season to 22 in 21 games.

A penalty try and a deciding try by flanker Dougie Glynn-Jones saw Brighton through, with scrum-half Henry Ashcombe converting all four tries and also adding the penalty which kept his side ahead for much of the season-half.

St Columba's College were always playing catch-up, but they stuck tenaciously to the task and with tries by scrum-half Tom Sparks and two from No 8 William Down, all converted by centre Robbie Goddard, they were on level terms at 21-21 five minutes into the second-half.

Ashcombe's penalty then nudged Brighton ahead and Glynn-Jones' late try clinched the win.

St Columba's disappointment combined with a feeling of elation at the way the team had performed and the calibre of the game they had contributed to.

“It was an absolutely fantastic game, the best of the weekend according to some observers,” said coach Ben Alway.

“Two tremendously committed sides. Their backs were particularly skilful and looked to run the ball. Our forwards were in the ascendancy throughout the game and it produced an incredibly well-fought, open contest between two very good sides.

“Brighton were extremely well organised and didn't over-commit at the breakdown. When we did manage to get some momentum, they organised themselves very well and they didn't miss tackles.

“It was a great game for the neutrals and we were always in it. Our 2004 appearance in the U18 Vase final, when we lost to Danny Care's Prince Henry's from Otley, really created the momentum in our rugby programme and this season's run, couple with the success of our prep school teams, will help to keep us moving forward.

“I can't overstate how proud I am of the lads who played today. They showed tremendous heart and spirit and were absolutely gutted at the end, but they'll be a side to watch out for at U18 level.”

5.3.10

Three of the four Northern schools bidding for a place at Twickenham this weekend when they play in the semi-finals of the Daily Mail RBS U15 Rugby Union Cup and Plate have experienced the elation of running out at rugby union's most famous stadium on Finals Day.

But for the lads from Harrogate Grammar School, who meet seasoned Daily Mail RBS campaigners Lymm High School at Broadstreet RFC, Coventry, on Sunday, the pressure being on the verge of the biggest occasion of their young rugby careers will be a challenging experience, especially since they have never been this far in the tournament previously.

“I've been increasingly aware of the effect of nerves on the lads' performance as we've moved forward through each round,” says master in charge Roy Mackay.

“A bonus in this respect is that two years ago this group of players entered the Daily Telegraph Emerging Schools Competition and after winning through the round-robin tournament at Staines in the morning, we played the final at Twickenham before the Army/Navy game.

“It was only a 10-minute game played across half of the pitch, but I'll be drawing on that experience this weekend to help combat nerves.

“We also reached the finals of the Yorkshire Post Schools Cup the following year and won the North of England State Schools competition, so we have some experience of what it's like to reach this stage.

“When the lads joined the school and started playing rugby, we probably had about six who had affiliations with local clubs, with the rest playing soccer or other sports. Now they've evolved into a tidy unit, with a real determination to play to the bitter end.

“We plucked our quarter-final win against Bromsgrove out of the fire with a last-minute try and that typifies the spirit in the team.

“This is by far the furthest we have progressed in the Daily Mail RBS event and we're now expecting another tough test from Lymm, who have a record in the competition which marks them as specialists.”

Their Cheshire opponents claimed the U18 Vase at Twickenham in 2006 and the following year carried off the U15 Cup, so their coaching staff are well attuned to the tensions and nerves which kick in when a major prize is only one game away.

At the opposite end of the Twickenham experience spectrum to Harrogate are their White Rose neighbours Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Wakefield, who have managed to get over the semi-final hurdle five times in the past to earn a run-out on the 'hallowed turf'.

It has not proved to be a successful experience in that the Yorkshiremen were beaten three times in six years between 1995 and 2000 at U18 Cup level by Colston's Collegiate and then by Bedford School, who upset the formbook in 2006 to win the U15 Cup.

QEGS did enjoy U15 Cup success at Twickenham in 1998 when they drew 5-5 with RGS High Wycombe, so the incentive of getting back to the finals and claiming an outright win will burn bright when they tackle Wilmslow High School on Saturday in the U15 Cup semi-final.

Wilmslow reached the final of the U18 Vase in 2007, only to lose 3-0 to Ermysted's Grammar School from Skipton and they will be keen to go one better this time around.

4.3.10

British Tennis has distributed the 100,000th racket as part of the AEGON Schools Tennis Programme, organised by the Tennis Foundation and supported by the Lawn Tennis Association.

The presentation of the 100,000th racket took place at Meadow Community Primary school in Leicestershire following a hugely successful year for the programme which has seen more than 3,000 primary schools receive AEGON Schools Tennis equipment bags free of charge including rackets, balls and a net to help drive participation within primary school pupils.

Over the past 12 months, more than 3,000 primary school teachers have also been trained to deliver tennis.

The presentation was made as part of a national Schools Tennis Road Show that is visiting 15 towns and cities across the country during February and March.

Paul Regan, head of education at the Tennis Foundation, said: “Enabling more children to pick up a racket is a key priority for British Tennis. AEGON Schools Tennis provides the resources necessary for teachers to deliver tennis at primary level.

“The Schools Tennis Roadshow shows PE teachers and staff working in the school sport infrastructure how tennis can be a great sport for children of all ages and abilities. It also showcases the extensive resources we’ve developed with the support of the LTA in the past year.

“We’ve been delighted to see the enthusiasm the new resources have generated and hope it inspires more teachers to offer and deliver tennis, and encourages more kids to take up our sport.”

Chris Blackwell, PE subject leader at Meadow Community Primary school, added: “We are delighted to be the recipients of the 100,000th tennis racket from AEGON Schools Tennis.

“The programme has provided our school with the resources to help enrich the teaching and learning of tennis within the primary curriculum and having the necessary equipment is the first step to ensuring successful delivery of tennis within our school and will no doubt encourage more schools to offer increased opportunities within the game.

“The lessons we can now run address the key skills needed for pupils to take part in the game and as a result, some of the gifted and talented pupils now participate in sessions at Abington High School whilst we also have plans for local coaches to come in and deliver fun sessions to all pupils.

“Given tennis is an early specialisation sport, allowing these youngsters the chance to get involved at this level is fantastic and will hopefully bode well for their long term involvement within the sport.”

Although research shows that 79% of schools (in England) already offer tennis, AEGON Schools Tennis is designed to tackle barriers that might restrict tennis’ availability at some schools.

At primary level these can include equipment shortages, worries over a lack of space, and low teacher confidence.

With 100,000 rackets and 200,000 balls distributed since 2009, thousands of teachers trained and an innovative pupil facing DVD that takes the pressure off the teacher to demonstrate the different skills, AEGON Schools Tennis provides the tools primary teachers need to deliver quality tennis lessons.

British Tennis is now extending the AEGON Schools Tennis programme by rolling out a range of resources specific to secondary schools after a hugely successful first year in primary schools.

The new secondary resources, launched as part of the ongoing Schools Tennis Road Show 2010, include a specialist training DVD for teachers and lesson plans for traditional and adapted “mini tennis” sessions. These can help beginners progress rapidly.

There are also cross-curricula resources that teachers can use to support learning in other subject areas.

4.3.10

Girls will be competing for honours at the prestigious North of England Schools' Invitational Sevens in Birkenhead this Sunday for the first time.

The tournament, which is in its 22nd year, has opened its doors to the growing game of girls' rugby which is set to grow even further this year with the Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 being staged in London in August and September.

Rugby Football Union for Women President Gill Burns, who's been instrumental in getting girls rugby on the North of England Schools Invitational Sevens agenda, said: “This competition has a reputation for being a really enjoyable occasion for the boys because of a combination of good rugby, good organisation, friendship and fun, and that's why I am particularly excited about this year's event with it being the inaugural girls' competition.

“A large proportion of the current England women's squad started playing their rugby when they were at school so this is an important stepping stone for young girls out there, be it whether they want to play rugby for their school, club, county or even country one day.”

The girls' pool games will be played at Birkenhead School, with the finals being staged at Birkenhead Park.

Schools competing include Range High School, Childwall Sports College, Holy Cross College, Giggleswick School, St.Bees School, The Kings School Macclesfield, West Lake Academy and Wisbech Grammar School.

3.3.10

Two Strathallan pupils Scott Garvie and Hope Whitelaw have been selected to represent Scotland at The World Schools Ski Championships in Italy this week.

Nineteen countries are taking part in the championships with Scott and Hope racing in the slalom and giant slalom events.

2.3.10

Schools, teachers and pupils can benefit from a cash boost from the third annual MARS Refuel Drink Fund.

The fund has £10,000 a month to donate to sports teams, clubs and individuals in the UK and Ireland from March until the end of May.

Anyone can apply online for sports funding, no matter what their sport or level – from hockey to octopush and from grassroots players to Olympic hopefuls.

The MARS Refuel Drink Fund was set up to help people overcome the various barriers preventing them getting involved in an active lifestyle by offering £500 awards to selected applicants.

Since its initial launch in 2008, the Fund has attracted 9068 applications and helped to refuel 8304 people.

Applications can be made online from March 1 at www.marsrefuel.com offering support with anything from equipment costs, to improving training grounds and club houses.

The site will be regularly updated with the names of the people and clubs awarded each month.

They will also be invited to post comments, pictures and videos of themselves as part of their application.

Tim Farr, a member of the British Paralympic Ski Team, is testament to what can be achieved with some determination:

“Six years ago I broke my back while on a university skiing trip. This year, I am proud to say I’m a member of the 2010 Great British Paralympic team.

“From financial cost, to time, to disability, there are often barriers to sport. The MARS Refuel Drink Fund is here for people who need a bit of a boost in getting started, or continuing, in sport. It’s a great initiative and I’m really happy to be involved.”

24.2.10

The national draws for the David English Bunbury U13, Lords Taverners U15 and School Sport Magazine U17 Schools Cricket Cups have been made and can be seen in full on our cricket results/fixtures page.

24.2.10

Bedford Modern School has been selected by the English Schools’ Table Tennis Association (ESTTA) to represent their country at the International School Sport Federation (ISF) World Schools’ Table Tennis Championships in the Czech Republic between March 25 and 31.

Pupils Alex Farmer, Joshua Robinson, Nishanth Narayanan and Harpreet Rupal will compete in the initial stages of the tournament by playing teams from Ireland, Poland, Malta and Slovakia.

Paul Birch, Bedford Modern’s table tennis coach said: “This is only the second time in the school’s history that BMS has been invited to take part in the ISF World Schools’ Table Tennis Championships.

“This generation of BMS table tennis players can now experience the honour of representing their country. Alex, Joshua, Nishanth and Harpreet have all worked very hard to get where they are today.”

24.2.10

Sandbach School are just one win away from an appearance at Twickenham in the final of the Daily Mail RBS Rugby Union Schools U18 Vase.

But their resilience and technique will be tested to the full when they meet Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College from Loughborough at Broad Street RFC this Sunday in the semi-finals.

“From what we hear, Welbeck are a forward orientated side with a big pack, so winning ball at the breakdown is going to be a key area for us,” says master in charge Simon Robertson.

“We're not a very big side and rely a lot on our technique, so we will need to be on our game. One important plus for us in this department has been the improvement Joel Unsworth has brought to the forwards since he joined us.

“He's had a massive impact on the organisation of the side and done a very good job with the pack. He's taken them to a different level in a short space of time since he came in as a cover supply teacher.”

Another valuable source of input has come from a quartet of 'old boys' who are currently making their way in the professional game with Sale Sharks.

James Gaskell, Lee Imiolek, Tom Holmes and Will Cliff have all been back to the school to help the current squad, which perhaps appropriate given that this gifted quartet raised the bar for the players following on at Sandbach.

“We've lived in the shadow of a very successful team for a couple of years, with that success breeding high expectations of the teams following them,” says Robertson.

“But we didn't have that calibre of player available and when we lost 15 players at the end of the term, we had to start again at the bottom.

“With only one lad from the upper sixth in the team last year, we had a very ropy season and this year we started with 18 of the 30-man squad injured, so the first half-term was very disappointing.

“Ironically, the tough start appears to have worked in our favour. Initially we had a rough ride at the hands of some of our local rivals.

“It was very painful early on in that we lacked consistency and any kind of structure, but eventually we pulled things together and now the lads are playing with the confidence that comes off the back of ten wins.

“Now we're punching above our weight and we've put in some very good 15-man performances. The Daily Mail Vase takes you out of your normal environment and out of your comfort zone to play people who don't normally come across.

“It's a fantastic experience for the lads and they've grown into it during trips to places like Crossley Heath and Austin Friars.

“They've kept their feet firmly on the ground as a team and simply look forward to another day out and to playing rugby like schoolboy rugby should be played.”

24.2.10

Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College from Leicestershire will be flying the flag for the Midlands in the semi-finals of the Daily Mail RBS Schools competitions at Broadstreet RFC near Coventry over the next two weekends.

Welbeck are the only school from the region to have made it through to the last four of the four Daily Mail RBS competitions and will take on Sandbach School from Cheshire in the semi-finals of the U18 Vase tournament on Sunday February 28 (11am).

It is the furthest Welbeck have been in a Daily Mail RBS competition and they will be cheered on by around 150 fans from the boarding school for the biggest match in their history.

Welbeck progressed to the semi-finals by the narrowest of margins, edging out Manchester GS on the more tries rule in the semi-finals after the scores were level 10-10 at full time.

Paul Calland, Welbeck's director of rugby, missed out on a Vase semi-final place during his previous teaching job at Loughborough GS on the same rule after another 10-10 draw with Prince William's from Oundle so he knows how Manchester's players and coaches must be feeling.

Calland, a former Great Britain Students rugby league captain, still plays the 13-a-side code as a stand-off with National Conference side Nottingham Outlaws but he is also progressing as a coach in rugby union and is backs coach of the Midlands U16 side.

He will also be able to call on the vast experience of Paul Walsh, Welbeck's director of sport, who went to Daily Mail RBS Cup semi-finals and finals when he was director of rugby of John Cleveland College in Hinckley.

“Paul hasn't had much to do with the first team this year because he oversees all our sport, but his experience of semi-finals will be useful,” Calland said.

“I think he was going to be at Broadstreet anyway as a liaison officer. His knowledge of this sort of occasion will help us in our planning.”

Calland has been at Welbeck since the defence college re-located to a purpose-built site near Loughborough from its old base in north Nottinghamshire five years ago.

The college requires students to study for A Levels in maths and physics and to be seeking to take an engineering degree at university to become technical officers in the military.

Students come from far and wide and the current first XV is captained by hooker Joshua Creedey, a former Harlequins academy player.

Openside flanker Chris Harvey has played representative youth rugby for his native Northumberland.

Welbeck, like Sandbach, boast a big pack and Calland expects a closely-contested semi-final.

“I've been trying to get some feedback on them and I gather from a contact at Worksop College, who Sandbach beat in the quarter-finals, that they have a decent pack and they are good around the break-down.

“We got a solid pack as well and big front row so it should make for a good semi-final.”

Coopers Company and Coburn School from Essex will play Norwich School in the other Daily Mail RBS Vase semi-final at Broadstreet on February 28 (1pm).

The Daily Mail RBS Schools U18 Cup semi-finals will be staged at Broadstreet on February 27 when RGS Newcastle meet Stowe School from Buckingham at 11am with RGS High Wycombe playing Whitgift School at 1pm.

The following weekend the semi-finals of the U15 competitions will be played at Broadstreet.

In the Daily Mail RBS Schools U15 Cup, it will be Wilmslow HS v QEGS Wakefield (11am) and Wellington College v Hampton School (1pm) on March 6.

In the Vase semi-finals on March 7 it is Lymm HS v Harrogate GS (11am) and Brighton College v St Columba' College (1pm).

23.2.10

British Tennis is to extend the AEGON Schools Tennis Programme to secondary schools after a successful first year in primary schools.

The second phase of the programme – designed to improve access to tennis for children of all ages – was launched yesterday at the first leg of the Schools Tennis Road Show in Bolton.

The Road Show is organised by the Tennis Foundation and supported by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) as part of British Tennis’ drive to boost participation by growing the game at all levels.

In total the road show will visit 15 locations nationwide over the next month, to demonstrate to staff how to best deliver tennis in schools.

Over the past 12 months, more than 3000 primary school teachers have been trained in tennis delivery as part of the programme.

The focus will now be extended to secondary teachers to help address concerns among that group that tennis is a difficult sport to teach, or that there is a lack of courts available to do so.

The secondary resources include specialist training, and a DVD for teachers with lesson plans for traditional and modified “mini tennis” to help less experienced players to progress rapidly.

There are also cross-curricular resources that teachers can use to support learning in other subject areas.

Paul Regan, head of education at the Tennis Foundation, said: “We're delighted that so many primary schools have benefited from free training and equipment provided by the AEGON Schools Tennis.

“Whilst this will continue, the focus now moves onto secondary schools and we're confident that the new resource will make a huge difference in making tennis easier to deliver for PE teachers.

“No other sport has developed such a wide ranging resource. The cards and film clips developed to help assess the ability of pupils are unique and the cross curricular resources will help embed sport and tennis across the curriculum in other subjects.

“We're also now able to appeal to pupils of all abilities, through modified, alternative and traditional methods of teaching. The Road Show is a great opportunity for us to promote the resource and support available and help attract and retain more young people to our sport.”

The annual Road Show events are aimed at informing and inspiring the school sport infrastructure to develop tennis within their area.

The events showcase the resources and support British Tennis has available to schools through a range of presentations and on court practical sessions.

Places are free of charge and everyone attending also receives £25 free Schools Tennis equipment voucher, entry into a prize draw to win Wimbledon tickets, a copy of the new secondary school resources, and an out of school hours tennis toolkit.

23.2.10

Two Buckinghamshire based schools - Stowe and RGS High Wycombe - along with Berkshire's Wellington College are the sole remaining RFU South West Division schools battling it out in the semi-finals of this year's Daily Mail RBS Schools Cup competitions.

Stowe School tackle RGS Newcastle (11am kick-off) in the first of the two U18 Cup semi-finals at Broadstreet RFC, near Coventry, this Saturday while RGS High Wycombe face the powerful Whitgift School, Croydon, in the second (kick-off 1pm).

Wellington College have to wait until the following Saturday (March 6) for their Daily Mail RBS U15 Schools Cup semi-final against Hampton School (1pm) at the same venue.

The Daily Mail RBS Schools Cup semi-finals are uncharted waters for Stowe School who have made the U18 semis for the first time where they take on RGS Newcastle following their narrow 16-12 quarter-final defeat of Warwick School.

Skipper and No.8 Craig Holton certainly played his part on the day scoring his side’s only try as they overturned a 12-6 half-time deficit with fly half Ben Roe converting the touch-down to go with his three match penalties.

Coach Alan Hughes recalls: “It was very tight, Warwick came out of the blocks in the first five minutes causing us a lot of problems. But our forwards started to get on top and Craig scored from a five-metre scrum.”

In fact Stowe are unbeaten since September 2009 when they lost to Oakham School in their opening game and then were also beaten by Mill Hill a week later.

“I think RGS Newcastle will be perceived as favourites,” admits Hughes. “We've no idea what to expect from them. It's a complete step into the unknown for us. We don't have any representative players in our squad so it's very much a squad effort.

“The boys have certainly come together well as a squad over the season and, having not lost since September, they've built on their confidence.”

RGS High Wycombe had three Tom Allan penalties along with a conversion of debut making flanker Elliot Moss's second-half try to thank for their place in the semis following their 16-10 quarter-final defeat of top Northern school QEGS, Wakefield.

The match was costly however they lost skipper and lock Alex Palmer with a ruptured spleen in the final five minutes. He will now miss the remainder of the season.

“It was close. We spent the whole of the first half defending our line and trailed 10-6 at half-time,” recalls their master in charge of rugby Jon Scourfield. “Losing Alex put things into perspective and it would be fantastic to go out and beat Whitgift and do it for him.

“But Whitgift are the favourites by some way as they include three England players, two in the backs and one in the second-row.”

Wycs will look to Allan's continued form with the boot and some inspired performances from the likes of the England U16 group pair of wing Oscar Thomas and centre Tom Wallace if they are get through to the March 31 Twickenham Final and beat Whitgift.

Wellington College’s U15 side will be hoping wing Yemesi Belo can come up with another inspired performance just as he did in the quarter-finals against Sussex based school Warden Park when they play Hampton School in their semi-final (Mar 6) of the U15 Cup (1pm).

A brace from him saw them to a 13-5 victory away from home against Warden Park in the previous round while Hampton School saw off RGS High Wycombe, 12-8, in their quarter-final.

“I think we're the underdogs looking at the season Hampton's had but it'll be an interesting game,” says Wellington's head of rugby Kevin Brennan. “We've made four out of the last five semi-finals and won it in 2008 and I'm sure it will be a good day out for the boys.”

Belo apart, Wellington will be looking to England U16 squad member and scrum-half Simon Sexton to turn in his usual exemplary performance at the heart of a grafting performance from his fellow team mates.

“There's no real stars but they just work hard for each other,” confirms Brennan. “We know they've got a big powerful pack so we anticipate a big encounter but we don't actually play them in a normal season. We know that they beat RGS High Wycombe so they must be a strong team and we're expecting a tough game.”

22.2.10

Frozen pitches caused the postponement of all of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools' Cup quarter final matches on Saturday.

They will now be played tomorrow (Tuesday) as follows:

Methodist College v Ballyclare HS (Pirrie Park. 1.30pm), Ballymena Academy v Friends' School (Ballymena Academy. 2pm), B.R.A. v Dalriada (Roughfort. 3pm), Wallace HS v Regent House (Wallace HS. 3.15pm)

22.2.10

Whitgift School will give their three England U18 internationals a night off from training but otherwise the trio are treated just the same as the rest of the squad aiming for success in this weekend's semi finals of the Daily Mail RBS Schools U18 Rugby Union Cup.

Anticipation is rising at 16 schools around England in the knowledge that their rugby teams in the semi finals of the four Daily Mail RBS Schools Cup competitions are each just one win from a dream date at Twickenham Stadium.

London Wasps and England international Danny Cipriani's old school Whitgift from Croydon, Surrey face RGS High Wycombe in the last four of the U18 Cup.

And in the U18 Vase, there is an Essex v Norfolk clash with Coopers' Company and Coborn taking on Norwich School.

Whitgift wing Marland Yarde scored five tries in the 58-7 quarter-final defeat of Bishop's Stortford High School, and followed that with two tries for England U18s in their 33-16 victory over France at Newbury yesterday.

Yarde was joined in England U18 colours by school team-mates George Merrick and Elliot Daly, and Whitgift coach Chris Wilkins has given them a rest from this evening's training.

Wilkins was part of a Whitgift group who cheered Yarde, Merrick and Daly on in the England match at Newbury.

Fellow coach Adrian Norris, strength and conditioning coach Ross Munro and headmaster Dr Christopher Barnett were joined in the crowd by a number of the boys' fellow students.

“It was great to support them and Marland's been putting the ball over the line for us all season but the main thing for us is to recognise the players who have been winning good and quick ball to enable him to do it,” said Wilkins.

“There are plenty of players in our squad who do not have the same representative honours but who are just as important to Whitgift.

“We trained twice in half term and will do so again this week before going up to Broadstreet on Friday to familiarise ourselves with the ground. We watched RGS High Wycombe in their quarter final and it will be another step up for us.

“We want to improve in every match. We have targets in winning quick ball, tackling, defence and converting try-scoring opportunities and if we hit those targets we feel the results will take care of themselves.”

It has worked well so far this season for Whitgift - who won the U15 Cup in 1999 and 2003, the latter with Cipriani in the side - with 22 wins out of 24 including a tour to New Zealand.

In the U15 competitions, Hampton School will need to get past Wellington College to reach Twickenham in the U15 Cup, while Brighton College will meet Hertfordshire's St Columba's College in the last four of the U15 Vase.

All the semi-final matches are played on neutral ground at Broadstreet RFC near Coventry over the weekends of February 27/28 (U18s) and March 6/7 (U15s).

Finals day in the four Daily Mail RBS Schools Cup competitions is at Twickenham Stadium on March 31.

22.2.10

England U18 boss John Fletcher saw his team run in five tries against France and insisted: “We can still play better.”

The side coached by Fletcher and Peter Walton extended their winning run to 14 successive internationals since the summer of 2007 with the 33-16 victory at Newbury.

Two tries came from Whitgift & London Irish wing Marland Yarde with one each for lock Dominic Barrow (Prince Henry's Otley & Leeds Carnegie), centre Elliot Daly (Whitgift & London Wasps) and wing Charlie Walker (Oakham & Leicester Tigers).

Captain George Ford (Rishworth & Leicester Tigers) added four conversions and created both of Yarde's scores, the first with a slashing break through the middle and the second with a kick behind France's midfield defenders.

Fletcher said: “We took France on, tried to move the ball around and overall I'm delighted.

“We try to challenge the players and everyone involved in the squad has bought into it. Occasionally we'll make mistakes but you've got to have the confidence to keep on trying things.

“To score five tries against a physical French side is pretty good and we left another two or three out there. I'm delighted - but we can play better.

“Marland Yarde took his chances well. He's got a great deal of pace and you need to have that in any team. We've got several other boys who've got that too.

“In the second half we needed to lift what we were doing and George Ford managed the game well.”

19.2.10

The draw for the opening rounds of the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup has thrown up an array of fascinating ties.

For a full list of the draw, check out the cricket section of our results/fixtures pages.

18.2.10

RGS Newcastle U18s could never have predicted they would be one game away from a place in the Twickenham final of the Daily Mail RBS Schools Cup on March 31 after
losing three games in the first month of the season.

But since that modest start, the team has blossomed into one of the best combinations the school has produced and now boasts a record of 14 wins and four defeats and a place in the semi-final of the competition against Stowe School, Buckinghamshire at Broad Street RFC on Saturday week, February 27.

Newcastle sealed their place with a long journey to Skinners School in Tunbridge Wells and a well-earned 29-13 victory.

“We had a blip at the start of the season with injuries and a new coach requiring a bedding in period but since October we've had a cracking season, losing once to Ampleforth when we had the captain, vice-captain and another player injured,” says master-in-charge Andy Watt.

“It's been a very good season by our standards in that among our wins we've beaten Barnard Castle 26-19 in the local derby and Kirkham and we've also had a couple of very good wins on the road in the cup at Hymers College and King's Macclesfield.

“We also had a very long trip to Skinners at Tunbridge Wells. That trip took it out of the boys and we were 10-0 down at half-time, but we dug in against the slope and the wind. The 10-point lead was never really enough and with the conditions in our favour we came through to win, fitness being a big factor in the victory.”

Another key strength in the team is its maturity, with 13 upper sixth students involved. Their county and divisional appearances were earned last year and now they had gravitated to Newcastle Falcons involvement, with seven of the team involved in Kingston Park development.

At this stage the shining light is half-back Joel Hodgson, who is heading for the Falcons via the England U18 team.

Received wisdom is that scrum-half will be his best position when he moves into the senior ranks, but he enjoys wearing the No 10 shirt for RGS and they are happy to indulge that preference.

With their Falcons contingent spread strategically through the team and Hodgson to direct operations, RGS could be forgiven for thinking that they only have to turn up at Broad Street to claim a Twickenham place.

But Stowe earned their semi-final place by overturning expected odds in defeating Warwick School 16-12 and Watt is having none of that.

He says: “From what we hear, Stowe have a big lad at tight-head prop and a fly-half who kicks a lot.

“We also see that they have been involved in some very tight games en route to the semi-final, so they are experienced in close encounters.

“I also think that like us, everyone outside Stowe was expecting Warwick to win the quarter-final, so Stowe's win came as a wake-up call to all of us. We won't be underestimating them in any way.”

Winners of the tie will face the winners of the second semi between RGS High Wycombe and Whitgift, which will also be played on February 27 at Broad Street.

Whitgift emphasised their position as favourites with a comprehensive 57-8 quarter final win over Bishop Stortford High School while RGS High Wycombe battled to a 16-10 triumph over QEGS Wakefeld.

Also bidding to clinch a place for the North at Twickenham in the final of the Daily Mail RBS U18 Vase on March 31 are Sandbach School, who meet Welbeck Defence VI Form College on Sunday week, February 28, also at Broad Street RFC.

Both quarter-finals leading to this pairing were very tight affairs, with Sandbach beating visitors Worksop College 17-13 and Welbeck getting through on a 2-1 try count after drawing 10-10 at home to Manchester Grammar.

The winners will meet the winners of the other semi between Coopers Company and Coburn School and Norwich School at Twickenham.

In the U15 Cup, Wilmslow High School beat Bedford School 17-7 to earn a semi-final slot against QEGS Wakefield, who defeated Oundle School 13-7.

Wellington College ended the brave run of Sussex state school Warden Park with a narrow 13-8 victory to set up a semi-final tie against Hampton School, who enjoyed an equally tight 12-8 win over RGS High Wycombe.

17.2.10

Schools across the UK are being called to register for Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week 2010.

Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week, delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, uses the power of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire more children to do more sport.

Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week is the UK’s biggest school sporting event with more than 10,500 primary and secondary schools and three million young people taking part in 2009 - equating to over 40% of the schools in England and Wales.

This year’s week will run from 28th June to 2nd July in England and Wales. In Scotland, Bank of Scotland National School Sport Week takes place for the first time on 7th to 11th June.

Schools will be planning their activity in the lead up to and during the week to help build a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Games.

The activity will focus on encouraging pupils to try a new Olympic or Paralympic sport and to demonstrate the Olympic and Paralympic values.

Schools will be helping pupils make Sports Pledges, staging Opening and Closing Ceremonies during the week, and holding inter and intra-schools competitions.

Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week is a fantastic way to demonstrate how the excitement around the Olympic and Paralympic Games can be adopted in schools to engage young people, motivate them and inspire them to take part in more PE and sport.

“Last year more than ten thousand schools took part in this week long celebration and I’d encourage all schools to sign up and help make Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week 2010 even bigger and better.”

Schools that register to participate in Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week 2010 will be provided with a teacher planning pack and other resources to help plan their activity before and during the week, including a DVD with inspirational Olympic and Paralympic Games footage and action from last year’s Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week, Sports Pledge leaflets for every pupil to get involved, certificates and stickers to help reward and recognise pupils’ efforts and posters to help promote the week within the school.

To register your school or to find out more information visit www.schoolsportweek.org

12.2.10

Edinburgh Academy lifted the U18 Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup with the last kick of the game last night in front of a record 5,821 crowd at Murrayfield with a 13-11 victory over Stewart’s-Melville College.

And there was further disappointment for Stewart’s-Melville when they narrowly lost 10-8 to Hutcheson’s Grammar School in the U15 Cup Final.

(For full reports don’t miss the next edition of School Sport Magazine)

11.2.10

The Isle of Man challengers in this season's Tag to Twickenham rugby union competition will be bidding to take their talents to the mainland on Wednesday February 24 when the final qualifying tournament will be held at National Sports Centre.

Eight teams will contest the final of the island's Clerical Medical Tag to Twickenham Primary School tournament after the island's Northern Primary Schools identified their two representatives at a competition held recently at Ramsey Rugby Club's at Mooragh Park headquarters.

Six teams from five schools were involved - Laxey, Sulby, two teams from Dhoon, Scoill ree Gorree and Andreas - and in perfect conditions the youngsters laid on a treat.

The final between Dhoon 'A' and Scoill ree Gorree was always going to be a close affair after the teams had drawn at the pool stages and after another end-to-end thriller the scores were level at 3-3 at the final whistle.

With both teams going through to the final, they were declared joint winners of the Clerical Medical Northern Regional Primary School Tag Rugby Tournament and now progress to take on the pick of the island's other Twickenham contenders.

The full final line-up is: Buchan "A", Buchan "B", Marown, Pell Clothworkers, Cronk-y-Berry, St.Mary's, Scoill ree Gorree and Dhoon Primary Schools.

10.2.10

School sport can drive a lasting Olympic legacy - but only with sustained investment up to and beyond 2012, a leading charity said today.

The Youth Sport Trust outlined its vision for the future ahead of its national conference which sees key decision-makers in PE, sport and education celebrating the transformation of school sport in just over a decade.

The national charity has called for “sustained investment up to and beyond 2012” in order to deliver a world-class PE and school sport system which can fully capture the enthusiasm of young people inspired by London’s hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In its manifesto published today entitled ‘Positioning sport at the heart of school life,’ the Youth Sport Trust pinpoints a number of key building blocks which make up its vision for the future.

They include:

More schools thinking creatively about how they structure, stage and present competitions so that every young person can enjoy the experience while more support is given to the most talented
Greater investment in initial teacher training to enable primary school teachers to teach high-quality PE to improve the experience for every young person
The development of junior sports clubs on school sites to increase the number of young people progressing from school to club sport

Steve Grainger, chief executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “Working with partners across the public, commercial and charitable sectors, we set out 15 years ago to create a world-leading PE and sport system that reached and resonated with all young people.

“Since then, there has been undoubtedly been a significant transformation. More young people are participating, leading and performing in school sport than at any point in our history.

“Whilst it is important to recognise and celebrate progress, there needs to be sustained investment up to and beyond 2012 to help embed sport at the heart of school life if we are to reach every young person and ensure they experience the very best that PE and school sport has to offer.”

School pupil Oli Hooper, 18, has seen his life transformed through sport and gone from being someone who never participated to the point where he is now a Young Ambassador championing sport and the Olympic and Paralympic values to his peers.

The youngster at Brookfield Community School, in Derbyshire, said: “Sport brought about a remarkable change in my life and transformed me from someone who had no desire whatsoever to participate to the individual I am today.

“Someone who is far healthier, far more active, and most of all, far happier as a result of having sport as part of life. Sport breaks boundaries and brings people together in a way that nothing else can. My one hope for the future is that other young people can gain as much enjoyment through sport as I have.”

Olympic gold medallist and School Sport Ambassador Denise Lewis said: “School sport is at the heart of the 2012 legacy and what really excites me is the thought of millions of children up and down the country being inspired to play, coach, compete or volunteer in sport because of the London Games.

“While significant progress has already been made, there is still much to do to engage every young person. As an Olympic gold medallist and now mum of three, I want school sport to be appealing to all children, not just the talented few. By achieving this, we will have delivered a true Olympic legacy.”

The Youth Sport Trust 2010 Sports Colleges Conference takes place from the 10-11 February at the International Centre, Telford.

It will celebrate the achievements of a rapidly growing school sport network which currently has 501 secondary schools and academies with a specialism in sport and 450 school sport partnerships reaching out to every school in the country and millions of young people.

Joining the 2,000 delegates will be special guests Olympic gold medallists Denise Lewis and Darren Campbell, who work with the Youth Sport Trust as ambassadors visiting schools and promoting the benefits of sport.

8.2.10

The draw for the quarter finals of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools' Rugby Union Cup was made following Methodist College Belfast’s 13-6 fourth round victory Royal School Armagh.

The following ties Ballymena Academy v Friends' School; Methodist College v Ballyclare HS; Wallace HS v Regent House; Belfast Royal Academy or Royal Belfast Academical Institution will take place on Saturday February 20.

8.2.10

The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools' Cup finalists today announced their teams that will take to the international pitch at Murrayfield on Thursday (kick-off 6pm and 7.30pm).

Hutchesons' Grammar School held on to a 10-7 lead over U15 title holders George Watson's College at the Auldhouse playing fields in Glasgow to end any capital hopes of an all-Edinburgh finals day.

The Glasgow school will face Stewart's-Melville College in the U15 final after they went through as the winning away side from a tense 3-3 draw at New Field while their U18 side came back from 0-3 down at Merchiston Castle School to offer the school a shot at an illustrious cup double.

Ross Dewar, head of PE at Hutchesons' Grammar School said: “Being the only team from the west was one of the motivational factors in our semi-final team talk. We're here representing the west and are very proud of that.

“I think our chances of going one step further and lifting the trophy are very good. As we highlighted in the semi-final, on our day we'd be happy taking on any team in Scotland and if we play to our best we've got a chance.”

Bryn Lockie, head of games at Stewart's Melville College, added: “We have a proud rugby tradition at Stewart's Melville. It's something that we work very hard at to try and produce the kind of teams that get to this stage in the cup.

“The whole school is really excited about finals day, there's a great feel about the school at the moment thanks to this success - both sets of boys are champing at the bit to get out there.”

Stewart's Melville College will face Edinburgh Academy in the U18 final after they beat George Watsons' College 19-15 in a fantastic contest where the lead changed hands three times.

While over 5000 supporters turned out at the Brewin Dolphin Scottish School's Cup finals last season, both U18 captains are comfortable with the pressure.

A losing finalist in last season's competition, Stewart's Melville College captain Michael Crawley said: “I feel quite lucky if I'm honest. I don't think many people can say they've played at Murrayfield twice in two finals so I'm very grateful.

“The few who played last year will definitely benefit from the experience and will be better ready for the occasion and help the team to keep composed.

“I think the game will be very tight. We played earlier in the season and we won 12-10 but you can't really judge anything from what was a very even match.”

Edinburgh Academy captain and stand-off Fraser Gillies added: “It's brilliant to have made it to the final, the semi-final was a big day but getting to the final is not enough for us. It's not the aim.

“We're here to win the final and we're not happy with just playing at Murrayfield - we want to win the final.”

Marc Wilkinson of Brewin Dolphin, said: “On behalf of everyone at Brewin Dolphin, I would like to wish the finalists the very best of luck. This year's competition has seen a number of tough games and to make it to the final is a fantastic achievement. Playing on the national pitch is an experience open only to a few so we hope the boys take away many good memories from the evening.

“We hope rugby enthusiasts, and those seeking a fun night out with the family, can make it along on Thursday evening to show their support for the school finalists.”

Like all Scottish Rugby youth and age-grade representative fixtures, admission to the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools' Cup final on Thursday 11 February is free (first match kick-off 6pm).

4.2.10

Schools from more than 40 different counties have entered the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup 2010.

But some schools have asked for more time to process their entries for so, in order to accomodate everyone, we have extended the deadline for entries for a short period until Monday February 15.

After that the draw will be made during half-term week and sent out with contact details to all schools via email after Monday February 22. Details will also be posted on our website.

The good news then is it’s not too late to enter so please get in touch if you haven't already done so.

Endorsed by the doyen of schools cricket David English, the competition will be split into four regions initially to avoid excess travel - north, midlands, south-east and south-west - until the semi-finals.

From the level of entries received to date, we anticipate five rounds, including the semi-finals, during the summer term until the end of June - with the final scheduled for early September to avoid problems with some schools finishing early or clashes with end of term dates.

We also anticipate two weeks to play each round which should give schools plenty of time to organise midweek matches.

A copy of the entry form and competition rules and regulations is available on the website or we can email you one if you wish.

Entries can be returned via email or printed off and posted to School Sport Magazine, 76 Loxwood Road, Lovedean, Hants PO8 9TY

4.2.10

A familiar name will be in an unfamiliar position when Oundle School from Northamptonshire travel to Yorkshire to play QEGS Wakefield in the quarter-finals of the Daily Mail RBS Schools U15 Cup on Monday February 8.

Sam Olver is the son of former England international John Olver, Oundle's head of rugby, but, unlike his father, he plays at fly-half rather than hooker.

“People who played with or against me during my career tell Sam that I spent most of my time playing at 10 anyway,” said John.

Olver Snr played for Harlequins and Northampton Saints, winning three caps with the latter club between 1990 and 1992. His son is now a member of the Saints Academy along with openside flanker Campbell McCallum.

Olver Snr has involved his former England team-mate Simon Hodgkinson in coaching Oundle and the influence of the former international full-back and dependable goalkicker was evident in the seventh round victory over Bishop Vesey GS from Sutton Coldfield.

“We scored five tries but Sam converted all of them, some of them from right out on the touchline, which meant instead of 25 points we got 35 and that made a huge difference,” said Olver Snr.

Sam Olver began his playing career as a four-year-old in the mini section at Stamford RFC and has prospered under the critical eye of his father.

“Hodgy thinks that I am a bit brutal on him at times but he seems to be flourishing,” Olver Snr said.

There is another England link in the Oundle side in winger Dan Harriman who is the younger brother of former Harlequins winger Andrew who was capped once against Australia in 1988.

This is the second time in three seasons that Oundle have reached the latter stages of the Daily Mail RBS Schools U15 Cup, despite being a one-term only rugby school.

To keep the players active two years ago, Olver put together an All Stars XV made up of players from other teams at the school and they have been in action again recently to help the U15s prepare for QEGS.

“The All Stars have been reformed,” Olver said. “It's a different side to two years ago but they've been playing on Sunday afternoons to give the U15s some rugby around their hockey and other sports commitments.”

Bedford School, who won the Daily Mail RBS Schools U15 Cup in 2006 are again just two games away from a trip to Twickenham Stadium.

Bedford enjoyed four successive 50 point victories against Biddenham, Sponne, Sharnbrook Upper School and Northampton School for Boys and conceded just one try before they encountered stiffer opposition in the seventh round where they edged out Old Swinford Hospital School from Stourbridge 25-19.

Bedford now travel to Wilmslow High School in Cheshire in the quarter-finals on February 10.

Rugby has been on the up at Warwick School since they won the Daily Mail RBS Schools U18 Cup in 2007 and they are again through to the quarter-finals.

A seventh round win at Oakham School in the seventh round took them through to the last eight and they now travel to Stowe School in Buckinghamshire on February 10.

Oakham were badly affected by injuries before Christmas with four backs - fly-half Teddy Edwards, full-back Tommy Williams, winger Kevin Hollis and centre Rhys Owen - all sidelined by long-term injuries.

But they have all regained fitness at the right time and they are back to bolster the side for the trip to Stowe.

Mark Nasey, an influential director of rugby since he arrived at Warwick from his native New Zealand, has a first team that has an even mix of upper and lower sixth formers and a nice balance between forward strength and backs' flair.

But Nasey believes that his forwards are likely to hold the key if Warwick are to make the semi-finals again.

“We hear that Stowe have a strong forward pack, which is where their strength lies. It's a matter of trying to match them there and then trying to play a wider game if we can.”

Winger Jean-Claude Thompson was Warwick's hero against Oakham as he scored all their points, including two tries, in a 15-13 win in Rutland.

In the Daily Mail RBS Schools U18 Vase quarter-finals, Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College from Leicestershire will have home advantage against either Manchester GS or Ermysted's GS from Skipton.

Bromsgrove School face a trip to Yorkshire to play Harrogate GS in the quarter-finals of the Daily Mail RBS Schools U15 Vase.

3.2.10

A 0-0 draw is rare in rugby union – but it was enough to send Newcastle's Royal Grammar School into the last eight of the Daily Mail RBS Schools U18 Cup.

Newcastle made it through as the away team after the goalless stalemate with the King's School, Macclesfield.

They now face a trip to Kent to visit the Skinners' School from Tunbridge Wells, who narrowly defeated Hampton School 15-12.

Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Wakefield, are the only Northern school still campaigning on two fronts with teams now only two wins away from a place in finals day at Twickenham on Wednesday March 31.

QEGS have three hurdles still to negotiate in the U18 Cup in that they have a delayed round seven tie at Barnard Castle School to deal with.

This week's heavy frost in the north has forced the teams to consider contingency plans for tomorrow's scheduled meeting.

Barnard Castle’s Luke Monument said: “We are due a thaw before tomorrow afternoon, but we may have to switch the game to Darlington Mowden Park. We both need to get the quarter-final played next week, so we need to find an alternative venue if we can.

“So far as the game is concerned, we were very evenly matched when we met QEGS in a pre-season tournament at Barnard Castle. From our perspective, we have a strong squad which is much the same standard as last year - possibly a touch stronger.

“We don't have any of the stars we've had in recent seasons and there's no-one in the England set-up, but we have three lads in the North squad.”

Having reached Twickenham three times in the last eight years and lost in the final on each occasion, 'Barnie' know all about the disappointments of knockout rugby, but each year they bounce back under Martin Pepper's guidance.

Whoever wins the tie, however, faces a stiff test in the shape of a quarter-final visit to perennial Daily Mail RBS challengers RGS High Wycombe, who are in the quarter-finals of both the U15 and U18 Cup competitions.

In the last eight of the U15 Cup, Wilmslow High School and QEGS Wakefield have home advantage against Bedford School and Oundle respectively.

Also keeping a weather eye scanned are U18 Vase rivals Manchester Grammar and Ermysted's Grammar from Skipton, who are hoping to play tomorrow at Manchester if the weather eases.

If there is no break in the frost, the game will move to Friday and, if necessary, Saturday.

Sandbach School are only two wins from Twickenham and now await the winners of the St Columba's College/Worksop College tie, while in the U15 Vase quarter-finals, Lymm High School and Harrogate Grammar have home ties against Queen Elizabeth's GS, Ashbourne and Bromsgrove School respectively.

3.2.10

Stewart’s Melville College have double cause for celebration after both their U18 and U15 teams reached the finals of Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools Rugby Union Cups.

In the U15 semi-final, Stewart’s Melville went through as the winning away side from a tense 3-3 draw against Edinburgh Academy while their U18 side came back from 0-3 down at Merchiston Castle School to offer the school a shot at an illustrious cup double.

U18 full-back Scott Cook missed two chances to put his side into the lead before Merchiston’s stand-off Sam Hidalgo-Clyne kicked the hosts into a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes.

The remainder of the half was, for the most part, an arm wrestle between the two teams but, after the break, the visitors came out all guns blazing.

Despite missing a third penalty, Cook made amends for his earlier inaccuracies when he put his side in the lead, scoring and converting his own try to win the game 7-3.

Stewart’s Melville will now face Edinburgh Academy in the U18 final after Edinburgh beat George Watsons’ College 16-15 in a fantastic contest.

Academy stand-off Fraser Gillies missed two early opportunities either side of a George Watson’s College try, scored and converted by Scott Mullins, before he added penalty to his tally to put the visitors 10-0 to the good after half an hour.

Edinburgh Academy were never going to go down easy however and busy scrum-half James Munro collected a high ball superbly and offloaded to the supporting Gillies who offered the ball back inside to outside-centre Ben Brown to score. Gillies then converted the score before adding a penalty to draw the game at the break.

Fifteen minutes into the second-half Watson’s were adjudged to be offside, offering Gillies another opportunity to put the two early misses behind him with a straight forward kick to put his side in the lead for the first time in the afternoon, which he did.

Their celebrations were cut short, however, when Watson’s prop Chris Scott ran a good support line as the ball was worked across the park.

The prop took the ball on in close range and crashed over for the unconverted try, 13-15. Gillies then entirely exorcised his kicking demons with an effort that sealed the game.

Having missed a speculative drop-goal in advantage, the young stand-off slotted the resulting penalty to transfer the lead back to the hosts who played the game out for the win and a place in the final.

In the other U15 Cup semi-final, Hutcheson’s Grammar School held on to a 10-7 lead over title holders George Watson’s College at the Auldhouse playing fields in Glasgow to put an end to any capital hopes of an all-Edinburgh Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup finals day.

The visitors were first to take the lead after just eight minutes when Watson’s trademark expansive rugby saw the ball spun wide to wing Saunas Thomson to dot down at the touchline.

Stand-off Fraser McKay struck the conversion well from distance to add the extras, however, moments before half-time, sustained forward pressure from the dominant Hutchesons pack saw the impressive number eight Gordon Campbell cross for a try.

Stand-off George Swankey kept his composure to make his kick and bring the sides level at the break 7-7.

In the second-half Watson’s upped the tempo and exerted sustained pressure on the hosts but a well-organised Hutchesons’ defence weathered the storm before they earned a penalty directly in front of the posts with which Swanky made no mistake, to take the lead and, ultimately, a place in the final.

2.2.10

The annual Daily Mail RBS Schools Cup competitions are reaching their quarter-final stages for schools across the country.

Perennial U18 Cup achievers RGS High Wycombe are once again involved in one of this year's ties of the round when they have home advantage over either Barnard Castle or Lymm High School while Stowe School also have a home game against Warwick School to make the semi-finals.

In the last sixteen, High Wycombe beat Exeter School 28-8 while Stowe defeated Abingdon School 15-12 and Warwick overcame Oakham School in another epic tie 15-13.

Whitgift, with three England U18 players in their team, established themselves as the side to beat as they overcame another fancied team St Benedict’s School, Ealing, 27-10.

And Bishop Stortford High School also made it to the last eight after defeating Old Swinford Hospital School 18-14.

In the U15 Cup, the quarter final draw has thrown up an epic David versus Golath clash as Wellington College travel to Warden Park Comprehensive School in Sussex while RGS High Wycombe, still bidding for double success, make the shorter trip to Hampton School, after drawing with Millfield 10-10 but qualifying by scoring more tries.

Last sixteen winners also included Wilmslow High School, who beat Hayfield Comprehensive School 20-7, QEGS, Wakefield, who defeated Lancaster Royal Grammar School 12-0 and Bedford, who overcame Stamford School 19-12 and Hampton School, who narrowly conquered Hampshire state school King’s, Winchester, 12-8.

In the U18 Vase competition for first round losers, Farmors School, from Fairford in Gloucestershire, face a trip to either Reigate Grammar School or Norwich School in the quarter finals while Henley College have to go to the Coopers Company & Coburn School in Upminster, Essex.

And in the U15 Vase, Beaufort School will go to either Brighton College or Framlington College while the winners of the King's College Taunton/Sir Thomas Rich's School clash face a trip to either St. Columbas College or Colfe's School.

28.1.10

Bolitho School in Penzance, Cornwall, is organizing a special coast to coast challenge in aid of charity.

Pupils, staff, parents and friends of the school will be taking part in the event – from the north coast to the south coast of the county - on Friday March 26.

Bolitho School, the most south-westerly independent school in England, will be raising funds for the Cornwall Air Ambulance, The Handstand Appeal and The Precious Lives Appeal.

Walkers will set off at around 10.30am while the race itself will start at 2pm. Pupils under twelve will be doing half the course.

Organiser Gary Randall, head of boys PE, said: “I am unaware of any such event in England. The 7.25 mile course is mainly off-road and there is one part of the course where competitors can see both the north and south coast at the same time.”

28.1.10

Three pupils from Whitgift school have been named in the England U18 squad for the remaining five games of this season's international rugby union programme.

Backs Elliot Daly and Marland Yarde will be joined by forward George Merrick in the squad coached by John Fletcher and Peter Walton that extended their unbeaten international run to 13 games when they beat Australian Schools side 30-28 last month.

Two schools will also supply two players to the squad - Dominic Barrow and Chris Walker from Prince Henry's Grammar School, Otley, Sam Northcote-Green and Sam Twomey from Dulwich College and Ryan Mills and Ryan Mills from Hartpury College, Gloucester.

England take the field against France at Newbury on Sunday, February 21 (3pm) and away games follow against Italy (March 7) and Wales (March 28) before they face Ireland and Scotland in the annual Six Nations Festival in April.

“We've got a strong squad and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season,” said Fletcher. “There's not been much carry-over from last season so there's a lot of young lower-sixth guys in it but they've trained well and did well against Australia in December.

“We'll try and give everyone a start in the first two matches and go from there into the game against Wales and the Festival.

“Everyone will get a lot of game time. Young players can't develop without being pitched in to deal with stress and adversity, and we'll put them in that position to see how they cope.”

There are four survivors from the 2008-09 U18 programme in fly half George Ford (Rishworth & Leicester Tigers), flanker Billy Vunipola (Harrow & London Wasps), lock Sam Twomey (Dulwich College & Harlequins) and centre Jamie Elliott (Bedford & Northampton Saints).

Ford became the youngest player to appear in a professional club game in November when he lined up for Leicester against Leeds Carnegie in the LV=Cup at the age of 16 years 237 days.

The England U18 squad consists of forwards Nick Auterac (Oaklands College & Saracens), Dominic Barrow (Prince Henry's GS Otley & Leeds Carnegie), Anthony Brennan (Twyford CofE & London Wasps). Koree Britton (Ivybridge Coll & Exeter Chiefs), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Truro Coll & Exeter Chiefs), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Sixth Form Coll & Worcester Warriors), George Merrick (Whitgift & Harlequins), Nathan Morris (Sedbergh & Newcastle Falcons), Sam Northcote-Green (Dulwich Coll & London Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Epsom Coll & Harlequins), Will Skuse (Bryanston & Bath Rugby), Sam Twomey (Dulwich Coll & Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Harrow & London Wasps) and Chris Walker (Prince Henry's GS Otley & Leeds Carnegie).

The backs are Tommy Bell (Bacup and Rawtenstall GS & Sale Sharks), Elliot Daly (Whitgift & London Wasps), Chris Elder (RGS High Wycombe & London Wasps), Jamie Elliott (Bedford & Northampton Saints), George Ford (Rishworth & Leicester Tigers), Joel Hodgson (RGS Newcastle & Newcastle Falcons), Mark Jennings (Lymm HS & Sale Sharks), Ryan Mills (Hartpury Coll & Gloucester), Ben Ransom (Tonbridge & Saracens), Dan Robson (Hartpury Coll & Gloucester Rugby), Charlie Walker (Oakham & Leicester Tigers) and Marland Yarde (Whitgift & London Irish)

27.1.10

Oundle School qualified for the national finals of the girls U16 hockey championships after being crowned Midlands champions at Rugby School.

Meg Turner scored the winning goal in the final against Trent College in a narrow 2-1 victory.

Earlier in the group games, Oundle defeated Bedford High 2-1, Uppingham 7-0 and 3-1 against Thomas Adams before overcoming King’s High, Warwick 4-2 in the semi finals.

Oundle will now compete in the national finals in March.

Gareth Terrett, head of hockey, said: “We showed both grit and determination, fighting hard for every ball, especially in the final but know we will have to continue to work hard to push for the national honours in March.”

25.1.10

Schools and colleges have less than a week to enter the inaugural School Sport Magazine National Schools U17 Cricket Cup.

Due to the excellent response, organisers have decided to cap the level of entries to ensure the main competition is completed in the summer term.

But there are still places available so heads of cricket still interested can email the magazine via info@schoolsportmag.co.uk and we will forward you an entry form and copy of the rules and regulations.

Alternatively, you can access information via the special U17 Cricket Cup page of the website.

The competition will be split into four regions in the early stages – north, midlands, south east and south west – to avoid excess travel.

So far entries have been received from schools and colleges in 34 different counties and cover all corners of the country – from Cornwall, Kent, Durham, Scotland and Wales.

25.1.10

The fourth round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools' Rugby Union Cup has thrown up a host of interesting ties.

The draw sees Coleraine Academical Institution v Regent House, Methodist College Belfast v Royal School Armagh, Campbell College Belfast v Dalriada School, Wallace High School v Royal School Dungannon or Omagh Academy, Friends' School Lisburn v Sullivan Upper School, Limavady Grammar School v Ballymena Academy, Ballyclare High School v Portora Royal School and Belfast Royal Academy v Royal Belfast Academical Institution

Ties will be played on Saturday February 6.

21.1.10

Warden Park Secondary School’s fairytale run in the Daily Mail RBS U15 Rugby Union Cup continued in dramatic fashion in the last 16 of the competition.

In a nailbiting tie, the state school, from Cuckfield, West Sussex, drew 6-6 with Berkhamsted School, from Hertfordshire – but went through to the quarter finals on the away team rule.

Berkhamsted, who had beaten leading rugby schools St Benedict’s, Ealing, London Oratory, and St Josephs, Ipswich on their way to the last 16, established a 6-0 lead through two well-taken penalties from Dom Fraser, their classy fly-half..

But Warden Park, who have beaten several top independent schools themselves, showed character, spirit, grit and determination to level the scores with penalties from Oliver Harris – and then hold on bravely for an historic victory.

Coach James Gentry said: “The last five minutes and injury time seemed to last an eternity but the boys demonstrated their battling qualities to hold firm, even ending up on the front foot as the final whistle was blown.”

Also through to the last eight are Oundle School who defeated Bishop Vesey Grammar School 35-12.

Meanwhile in the U18 Cup, two of the favourites for the competition - St Benedict’s School, Ealing and Whitgift School, Surrey - are set for an epic last 16 encounter after Whitgift demolished Chislehurst & Sidcup Grammar School 58-0 in their delayed sixth round tie.

First team through to the U18 quarter finals are Stowe School, who narrowly defeated Abingdon School 15-12.

20.1.10

The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup semi-finals get underway this weekend with schools from Edinburgh guaranteed three of the four available final slots.

The captains of the four capital sides featuring in the all-Edinburgh U18 semi-final gathered at the top of the landmark Calton Hill as they made last-minute preparations for the penultimate round and a place in the final on the international pitch at Murrayfield Stadium on Thursday February 11 (kick-off 6pm).

Glasgow’s Hutchesons’ Grammar School, the only representation outside of the capital, will host last season’s beaten finalists George Watson’s College in the U15 semi at Auldhouse while Merchiston Castle School host last season’s U18 runners-up, Stewart’s-Melville College, at Colinton Road.

Both of Edinburgh Academy’s U15 and U18 sides drew home advantage and will face Stewart’s-Melville College and George Watson’s College in back to back matches at New Field.

Scottish Rugby head of community rugby, Colin Thomson, said: “The penultimate round to any competition is always very exciting and with a place in a Murrayfield final at stake the pressure to perform is increased creating the big game atmosphere.

“In this atmosphere it’s the top players and the top teams that step up to the occasion and learn how to compete in this environment, however, win or loose, these are experiences that will benefit all who take part.”

Last season more than 5000 supporters turned out at the Brewin Dolphin Scottish School’s Cup final.

Like all Scottish Rugby youth and age-grade representative fixtures, admission to this year’s Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup final on Thursday 11 February is free (first match kick-off 6pm).

19.1.10

Football legend Gary Lineker shared his penalty-taking tips with pupils from a school in Surrey to encourage teachers across the UK to sign up to CLIC Sargent’s Kick for Children with Cancer campaign this summer.

Pupils from Carew Manor School, a community special school in Wallington, helped Gary launch this year’s annual football fundraiser for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent by practising their penalty skills.

The school took part in the fundraising campaign last year and raised more than £750 through special sponsored matches and a ‘beat the goalie’ competition.

Martin Midgley, headteacher at Carew Manor, was delighted to help CLIC Sargent launch this year’s campaign.

He said: “The whole school, teachers included, took part in Kick for Children with Cancer last year and we were really pleased to raise so much money for CLIC Sargent. We tailored our sponsored events to be inclusive and it was great to have the whole school involved.

“CLIC Sargent is currently supporting two pupils at our school and we have become aware of how vital the help they provide is to families affected by childhood cancer.

“We’re going to be holding Kick for Children with Cancer events again this year and hopefully we can beat last year’s fundraising total.”

More than 450,000 children have taken part in Kick for Children with Cancer since the campaign launched five years ago and over £700,000 has been raised to date.

Registration is now open for this year’s campaign with schools encouraged to hold events between May and July 2010. As well as raising money for CLIC Sargent, schools and clubs can choose to keep 25% of the funds.

Top football icon and CLIC Sargent Patron Gary Lineker said: “With the World Cup kicking off in June, football fever will be sweeping the country. Penalties will surely come into play in the tournament at some point and it’s been great talking to pupils about their technique.

“Practising how to beat the goalie is a fun way to get fit and active and I think you’re never too young to start trying to score a spot kick.

“I know only too well how important it is for families to have the specialist help that CLIC Sargent provides. By taking part in Kick for Children with Cancer, whether it’s through a sponsored penalty shoot-out or a fancy dress match, you’ll be helping families affected by childhood cancer across the UK.”

Kick for Children with Cancer encourages schools and youth football clubs to organise sponsored football-themed events for children of all ages and abilities to raise money for CLIC Sargent.

The charity provides a free event pack with everything teachers and youth club leaders need to hold an event including fundraising tips, advice on how to get publicity for the event and template certificates.

For more information, or to register to take part in Kick for Children with Cancer, call 08451 202232 or visit www.clicsargent.org.uk/football

19.1.10

The third round of the Northern Bank Ulster Schools' Rugby Union Cup will take place this Saturday January 23, with a total of eight matches being played across the province.

The kick off times have been confirmed and are as follows - Larne Grammar v Friends' School Lisburn (10.30am), Sullivan Upper v Foyle and Londonderry College (11.15am), Portora RS v Down High School (12noon), Dalriada School v Bangor Grammar School (11am), Ballyclare HS v Rainey Endowed School (11am), RS Dungannon v Omagh Academy (11am), Grosvenor Grammar v Coleraine AI (11am at Civil Service RFC playing grounds) and Limavady Grammar v Banbridge Academy (11.30am).

The draw for round four of the competition will take place at Sullivan Upper School following their match against Foyle and Londonderry College.

18.1.10

Three schools have been given a boost to their sport facilities thanks to big grants from the Football Foundation.

Coloma Convent Girls’ School in Croydon has been awarded nearly a quarter of a million pounds to build a new third generation floodlit artificial grass pitch on the school grounds.

Meanwhile Plume School, in Maldon, and Hedingham School will become the centres for community soccer in the Essex towns following the opening of new half million pitches.

8.1.10

Bad weather has forced the postponement of the semi finals and final of Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools U18 and U15 Rugby Union Cups.

In the light of current weather forecasts, pitch conditions and transport difficulties, Scottish Rugby is rescheduling the semi-finals for the week beginning Monday 25 January.

The new date for the final at both age-levels is Thursday 11 February at Murrayfield Stadium, with the U15 event kicking-off at 6pm and the U18s at 7.30pm. Admission is free.

In the U18 Cup semi finals, Merchiston Castle host Stewart’s Melville College and Edinburgh Academy play George Watson’s College.

In the U15 Cup semis, Edinburgh Academy host Stewart’s Melville College and Hutchesons’ GS play George Watson’s College

4.1.10

Schools from all corners of the country have been quick to enter School Sport Magazine’s exciting new U17 National Schools Cricket Cup.

Entries in the inaugural competition include schools as far afield as Truro School in the south west, Portsmouth Grammar and St Bede’s Schools in the south east, St Anselm’s College in the north west, Barnard Castle School in the north east and Belmont House School in Scotland.

Such has been the response from both state and independent schools that we have been forced to limit entries on this year’s inaugural event to ensure all rounds up to the final are completed in the summer term.

But it is not too late to register by the closing date of January 31 – just email info@schoolsportmag.co.uk for an entry form or copy and print one from our website.

1.1.10

It’s derbies galore in the semi-finals of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup drawn by Scotland head coach Andy Robinson.

Despite three schools taking six of the eight available semi-final slots, there were no double-headers from the draw.

But fortune favoured Edinburgh Academy as their cup-holding U15 side and their U18s drew home advantage against Stewart’s-Melville College and George Watson’s College respectively.

Glasgow’s Hutchesons’ Grammar School, the only representation outside of the capital, drew home advantage in the U15 competition against last season’s beaten finalists George Watson’s College while Merchiston Castle School host last season’s U18 Cup runners-up Stewart’s-Melville College.

Scottish Rugby’s head of community rugby Colin Thomson said: “The Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup has, for the past five months, been the highlight of the rugby calendar for thousands of young school boy rugby players.

“The semi-finalists are now just one game away from the winner-takes-all final on the international pitch at Murrayfield – the culmination of over 230 Scottish secondary schools going head to head since September.”

Last season more than 5000 supporters turned out at the Brewin Dolphin Scottish School’s Cup final.

This year, like all Scottish Rugby youth and age-grade representative fixtures, admission to the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools’ Cup final on Wednesday January 20 is free.

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