Chronicle Summer 2023

65 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

House Netball Both junior and senior House netball tournaments were of a good standard. The players were in great spirits and flowed onto the courts in their House colours. The warm-ups were loud, and the atmosphere was contagious. All teams were eager for the first centre pass and performed well for their Houses. The competition was strong and skills across all teams were on show throughout. The Junior House netball players had to contend with rain interfering with play, but they were resilient and played to the final whistle. All teams showed great versatility in playing different netball roles to allow all players to rotate onto court. It was brilliant to see such great spirit from all teams and a friendly competitive afternoon of netball. Netball Awards House games finished with the final whistle of the netball term. All players and netball staff joined together for an awards ceremony, celebrating individual and team success. Captains from all 20 teams delivered a brief speech on their team’s success, before awards were handed out. It was wonderful to see the whole Netball Club together and to appreciate the sheer scale of the enthusiasm for netball at Teddies.

all involved. The following senior players received Coaches’ Player Awards for their efforts across the term: Coco Timms, Olivia Carpigo, Amelie Ward, Willa Bullen, Prisca Olagunju, Agatha Pearman, Charlie Mullins, Leilah Changizi-Cooper and Alys Luttrell Hunt Junior Girls The U15 girls had an amazing term of netball. Teddies had four teams representing at this age group and they did not disappoint, playing 31 games and only losing nine across all teams. The highlight of the season was for Teddies U15 A team. With the final game of the term approaching, they were undefeated and were very keen to keep a clean sheet. The last game of the term was against a solid Cheltenham College team. In the first quarter Cheltenham got the better of us, with swift turnovers and they took a five goal lead. Teddies U15s remained mentally strong and stepped up to the challenge, managing to claw back the five goals gained by Cheltenham. The match continued with a goal for goal sequence. With only 15 seconds left in the final quarter Cheltenham had a one goal lead but Teddies held their nerve and scored the final goal of the game to secure a 32-32 draw and could celebrate an unbeaten term. The following U15 team players received Coaches’ Player Harriers By Head of Harriers, Sebastian Symington Spring Term

Awards for their efforts across the term: Darcy Harding, Tallulah Parshall, Henrietta Noble, Lola Parker Bowles and Katie Mok. U14 girls quickly settled into their squads and were keen to show their ability in the first fixture against Bloxham. All three teams won their matches, the players confidence was swelling. Our U14D team had a tough first game against Marlborough College. Training the following week, the teams were able to reset and work on the learnings from their first fixtures. Teddies U14 teams were eager for the challenge against Cheltenham and Pangbourne, their second fixtures representing Teddies. All four teams had wins and the U14 players were really stepping up for Teddies. The players maintained their arduous work at training, pushing hard for promotion through the squads. Over the course of the term 14 players moved across all squads, showing just how keen this talented group were on progression in their chosen sport. Teddies U14C team had an amazing season, only having one loss in eight games. The U14 players showed great spirit throughout training and matches making it fun but rewarding with the knowledge they soaked up from the coaches. The following U14 team players were awarded Coaches’ Player Awards for their efforts across the term: Lydia Armander-Richings, Emily Bannon, Tabitha Bowling and Jemima Johnstone.

It was an enjoyable and successful term for the Harriers with a large number of runners regularly embracing the rain, wind and most importantly mud over the winter months. All runners showed progress throughout the term which culminated in a half marathon for those who could bear the horrible conditions on the day. The Harriers relay teams competed well at the Radley Relays Competition with an inexperienced senior boys’ team finishing in the top 20 which is promising for the years to come. The senior girls’ team of Eva Scates, Venetia Hamilton, Alexandra Cantwell and Nina Brown finished second in the competition.

At the Oxfordshire Cross Country Championships, the club again performed well with some runners taking part in their first races for the School. Four runners, Florence Williams, Nina Brown, Aidan Walker and Charlie Jones all qualified for the National Schools’ Championships in Nottingham where they ran strongly against a very competitive field. It is very encouraging that all of them will be eligible to run again in the same category next year. Many thanks to all the runners who took part this term and especially to the staff who ran alongside and encouraged the runners even on the days of pouring rain and freezing conditions.