Sport in the Senior School & Sixth Form

The main highlight this academic year for Sport has been using the fantastic new facilities at our Long Road site. Our Astroturf pitches, netball courts and athletics areas have been put to full use since the start of September.

The girls have enjoyed playing netball, hockey, football, tennis, and cricket both in lessons and in extra-curricular clubs. We are looking forward to next year when our pavilion will be open, allowing us to host more sports fixtures and tournaments.

Remote sport, cricket and sports day

Whilst learning from home, girls in Years 7 and 8 competed in a race to the Tokyo Olympics, with girls tracking their activity at home. We also had virtual training sessions for the girls to join in with, including a netball fitness session with Saracens Mavericks defender Jo Trip.

Many girls entered our virtual competitions and have continued to join in with extra-curricular clubs at school. We have introduced cricket into our summer curriculum with our first fixtures happening in the Summer Term. We are also celebrating sport with our sports week, during which each year group will experience a sports day using all of the facilities at Long Road.

Competition success

Despite competitive school sports being restricted this year, many of our scholars and gifted and talented students have still been competing in local, regional and national competitions outside of school. Georgia M. (Year 11) and Matilda R. (Year 10) qualified to compete at the British Swimming Championships in April 2021. Matilda qualified for 200m fly and 400m individual medley and Georgia qualified for 50m and 100m breaststroke.

Ruby M. (Year 10) has been fortunate to be able to continue riding during all of the lockdowns this year and qualified to compete at the National Schools Equestrian Association dressage qualifiers for a place in the NSEA National Championships with both of her horses. We also have several girls that have successfully trialled and been selected for their relevant sports England Pathway, including Jessica A. (Year 9), Emma A. (Year 10), Sophie H. (Year 11) and Rosie C. (Year 11).

A year of resilience and commitment

Throughout this year the girls have demonstrated excellent resilience whilst being at school and learning at home. This is particularly reflected in many girls’ determination to continue to train and practise at home. When in school the girls have enjoyed working together again in teams and have been working hard in order to develop their skills and prepare for competitive sport again.

2020/21 has made me appreciate the time we have together at school. In terms of sport, there is nothing better than being able to be together, to play and to practise. The benefits of being active both physically and mentally is something that I think we can all reflect on from our experiences this year.

Having time at home, when we were not able to meet and do sport together, has really made me appreciate and value the time I have with my classes and teams.

I have enjoyed nothing more than being back at school and working once again face-to-face with the sports department and all of the girls at St Mary’s.

Miss Powell

Return to Magnolian 2021