Girls at St Mary’s keep their eye on the ball to buck the national downward trend in sports participation.
Flouting recent statistics about the national decline in physical education taught in secondary schools, participation in sports at St Mary’s is actively thriving, with students enjoying the competitive spirit, achieving personal goals and taking inspiration from role models.
Latest Government figures suggest that the number of hours young people spend doing sports in secondary school has dropped by 12% since the 2012 London Olympics – precisely at a time when the UK was meant to ‘inspire a generation’ and kickstart a massive expansion of sport in the state sector.
Last year alone, the number of hours young people spent doing PE and sport in secondary schools went down by more than 4,000 hours.
Not so at St Mary’s. Here, everyone has the opportunity to participate, to feel the glow of a great sporting experience, and develop a life-long passion for a sporting activity. Our latest investment - Long Road Sports Ground, in collaboration with Homerton College Cambridge – was designed to inspire. It’s an exceptional facility, which our exceptional sportswomen are putting to good use!
Whether it’s football, which is clearly not just for the boys, or anything from athletics to Zumba, St Mary’s girls are enjoying the healthy competition at all levels.
Florence H-R. is a champion example of the St Mary’s sporting spirit. She has successfully trialled for the Cambridge United Under 18 Girls Football Squad and is looking forward to training sessions twice a week. Florence aspires to play at the highest level of football she can attain, and we are fully supportive of this.
“I balance my academic work and football commitments by getting my schoolwork done first, and then I can focus on my football. My sporting hero is Mary Earps, the goalkeeper for the Lionesses, especially considering a couple of years ago she wanted to quit football altogether.
“At St Mary’s I’ve learned self-belief, commitment, and to enjoy my sport. If you don’t enjoy it, you won’t progress as far as you would like. It’s so important to make sure you have fun.”
Tilly B. is another one who is dedicated to football. She’s just been accepted on the girls’ regional development program with Norwich this season and will be attending weekly training, which she is very excited about!
Remember these two, as we may all be cheering them on in a Women’s Cup Final of the future!