Bablakesport
Girls’ Sport It has been a busy start to the Autumn Term, with teams entering pre-season tournaments and friendly fixtures from the first week back after the Summer Holidays. U14 hockey girls took part in the Loughborough pre-season tournament and the U19 netball team went to Kings Worcester for their pre-season event. Both teams benefited from the experience and early match practice and as a result have fared well in recent matches. The U19 netball teams took part in the Coventry Schools Netball tournaments; the A team won their section and the B team were winners in their respective section, closely followed by the U19 C team in second place . It was an afternoon of excellent netball and a fantastic opportunity for all of the senior squad players to represent the school. The U16 and U15 A and B netball teams have made promising starts to the season, with both age groups displaying their talent and skills in beating King Henry VIII in recent matches. The U12 and U13 netball teams as well as the U15 hockey team participated in the Loughborough Festival and the U15 Hockey team finished third overall. Both the netball teams played against tough opposition and had mixed results; however the experience and team practice for all was very beneficial. The senior hockey teams have had good results so far this season, particular mention should be made of the clean sweep against Newcastle under Lyme, where the 1st XI won 6-0 and the U15 XI won 6-1. The 2nd XI have also had
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the lion Autumn 2011
opportunities to represent Bablake and they had a pleasing 4-0 win over Stratford Grammar. The junior hockey teams have already had many matches and are showing promise for a successful season. All the girls are committed to training and bursting with enthusiasm! We are looking forward to an exciting season of girls’ sport at Bablake. athletics Lucy Smith followed her fourth place in the Shot at the England Games during the summer
with the same placing at U16 level in the UK School Games. Miss Stacey Wilson, Head of Girls’ PE, said: ‘I am so pleased that all of Lucy’s hard work over the last few years has paid off. She has been dedicated to the sport throughout her school career and is an inspiration to so many of the younger pupils at Bablake. Her excellent performance gives Lucy further confidence in her quest to make the Commonwealth team and we wish her all the best for this challenge.’ sailing Nia Gripton-Crockford has had a busy summer sailing and has competed in her last ever Topper National Champs and also her first youth boat Nationals. She has just finished her 2nd year as a RYA regional West Zone squad member and will now actively pursue selection into the RYA transition squad in December which will place her in the top 24 youth sailors entering the class in the UK.