The Chronicle, No. 669, January 2016

7 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Tilly Catlin One of the aspects of rowing I most enjoy is the team spirit. We spend a lot of time training together and have developed a strong bond. We are training not just for ourselves but for each other, requiring each of us to challenge ourselves mentally and physically in order to perform to the best of our ability. As we work hard and push ourselves towards our goal, the National Schools Regatta, we motivate each other and are able to support one another when things get tough. The rowing training schedule is heavy, with nine sessions a week, but I find them fun and enjoyable. You spend time with your friends while trying to improve your performance as an individual and as part of a crew. The intensity of the schedule alongside the demanding IB syllabus means that I have to be extra organised to fit everything in. Rowing has helped me prioritise better and focus on what I need to achieve. The athlete who most inspires me is Helen Glover. She is currently rowing for the GB team in a coxless pair and has been unbeaten since the 2012 Olympics where she won gold. In 2008 she applied to the Sporting Giants scheme and was placed on GB Rowing Team’s ‘Start’ programme. Over four years, Helen devoted herself to the sport and went from not knowing how to row to being the first woman to hold the coxless pair Olympic, World and European titles at the same time. Teddies training has opened up opportunities for me such as trialling for GB. Last year, I was selected to represent GB at the European Championships in Hungary in the coxless pair and came home with three silver medals. It simply would not have happened without the support of the coaches and my crew. I am now hoping that my rowing will help me with my applications to American universities. Tilly was previously at Esher CofE High School and is pictured on page 30.

Bea Mountain ( Highfield ) in action v Bloxham in November

Our rugby and girls’ hockey players enjoyed a spectacular tour to Australia last summer.Why is touring important? We set a schedule designed to ensure that all pupils who are fully engaged in sport have the opportunity to tour. It’s very important to play sport in a different environment and in different conditions. Touring offers the opportunity to spend a focused period of time not only on sporting development, but with

team mates. We know from our own experiences that these friendships will stand the test of time. What happens afterTeddies? We encourage our sporting alumni to stay involved and many young OSE make the transition from blue and gold to rhubarb soon after leaving School. With biannual sports days, OSE return to Teddies for Martyrs v School fixtures in sports ranging from hockey to rifle shooting. It doesn’t

The swimming squad at the Abingdon Relays in October