LSF Sports Newsletter December 2022

It has been an exceptionally busy Autumn term for the sports faculty. With over 400 fixtures taking place across our schools in a range of sports, such as Hockey, Rugby, Football, Futsal, Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Swimming, Cross-country, Gymnastics, and Dance as well as the huge variety of extra curricular clubs and activities that we run on a daily basis.

Our version of winning has been put very eloquently by Mr Hoult. “Winning is about respecting all that we play and compete against, giving it everything you have until the final whistle and helping a teammate who needs your support. With that in mind, we are all winners.”

I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate the successes of our pupils from the touchlines throughout the term from the Year 4 House competitions to the 1st XV Friday Night Floodlight rugby match. Each and every one of our pupils is enjoying the opportunity to wear the crest and to experience the highs and lows of sporting competition. The achievements of our pupils wouldn’t be possible without all the time and dedication from our wonderful teachers and coaches, as well as the Catering, Caretakers, Ground, Site and Security staff who make our sporting offers possible. I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and return ready for the new sporting seasons in January.

Director

Jo Hackett

of Sport, Loughborough Schools Foundation @LsfSport

SPORT REPORTS

Cross-Country

Mr Dave Miles Foundation Head of Athletics and CrossCountry

This term the focus has very much been on the Leicestershire league races and also the National cross-country cup.

All Leicestershire league races are now held at the Prestwold Hall, which is a tough and undulating cross-country course. The Year 7s have had a successful competition so far with Kieran J winning individual races by a country mile. He has been well supported by Seth G and the team are pushing for a top spot in the overall result.

The Junior boys have battled hard with

Hockey

Miss Hannah Grieve Foundation Head of Hockey

It has been a great term of hockey here at LSF. Girls’ hockey is in full swing with lots of fixtures happening on a weekly basis and all boys have been working hard in their training sessions building to be ready for a busy term of fixtures after Christmas. Some of our highlights from this half term include:

Fairfield U11 Girls team reaching the semi-finals of their IAPS Regional tournament only to lose out to the eventual winners The Blue Coat School.

LHS U12A team remains unbeaten this term having played eight games, winning seven of those and drawing the other, and scoring 46 goals in the process.

Ewan M and Jacob D being the school top performers, both finishing comfortably in the top 10 of their races

At intermediate level, the boys have found the going tough, though Daniel S has worked incredibly hard and is improving with each race.

Both junior and intermediate teams entered the National cross-country cup.

Though the intermediate team narrowly missed qualification for the national semi-final, the juniors did so with relative ease, with Kieran J again winning the individual race

In the semi final the team of Gabriel G-H, Kieran J, Toby and Jacob D, and Olly S ran their socks off to finish second and thus gain qualification for the national final just before Christmas

This term has also seen the start of the School’s parkrun initiative, with specific dates being targeted. A large number of boys from all age groups have competed, some regularly, with most showing improvement over the course

of the term. This initiative will carry on into next term when the rankings and positions will be disclosed.

Well done to all who have completed for the School this term in what have often been bleak (at best) conditions.

LGS U15A team have only lost one game this term, winning three and drawing the other one in a set of tough fixtures for the team, very impressive score lines in a competitive fixture card.

LHS 2nd XI reaching the semi-finals of their Midlands Regional Finals only to lose out on penalty shuttles after a fantastic set of performances.

LHS 1st XI have had a fantastic record so far this year playing 11 games, winning nine and only losing out narrowly on the other two occasions; they have accumulated 50 goals in the process. The team have also reached round four of the National Tier 3 competition. Last week saw the girls continuing their amazing National Cup run reaching the Quarter Finals with a very impressive 6-0 win over Bradford Grammar School.

SPORT REPORTS

Rugby

Mr Emyr Lewis Foundation Head of Rugby

This term for the 1st XV is always tough. Many of our fixtures have been against sides that have the size and quality to trouble any side at any level let alone at U18 level.

It’s been a very successful season to date. One narrow loss the only blip in what has seen some outstanding rugby played. The consistency and the attitude has allowed the boys to develop and progress across the season, the highlight being the last minute win against our nearest rivals Nottingham High school, in our exciting Friday Night Floodlight Match at Loughborough University.

The 2XV have kept the pressure on the 1XV with consistent performances and some excellent wins. The excellent mix of Year 12 and 13 has proved to be a good balance enabling the boys to gel and develop well as a team.

The U16A’s have had a somewhat stuttering season. Unavailability and injuries have meant several fixtures having to be cancelled. However, when we have been at full strength, we have recorded some excellent results. Plenty of potential in the squad to develop.

The 15As have had an outstanding season, losing just one Saturday game to date. The squad has a fantastic attitude to want to progress and continue to develop as rugby players. Early morning gym sessions have helped in this in which they have reaped the rewards on the pitch.

The season has been a challenge for the U15B this term playing against many organised and physically stronger teams. Despite this the boys have maintained their enthusiasm, looking to develop their individual skills. They have certainly not let themselves down on the pitch, putting in some very fine performances.

The 14As have had a mixed season. Some very impressive victories followed by some one sided losses. Highlights would have to be our wins against Nottingham High and our last gasp victory over KES Birmingham. The boys continue to train well.

The 14Bs have had a very tough season. However, what’s most pleasing here is the number of boys who are new to the game of rugby and who are now established and committed to representing the school on Saturdays.

It has been a very tough season for our 13As; a side who are forever training well and portray a fantastic attitude throughout. Continued hard work and sticking together as a group is the message moving forward, as I have no doubt that there’s plenty of potential in this group to develop and excel further in their rugby journey.

U13B team has had a good season. With only a years rugby experience behind them they have learnt quickly. They have been consistent in their results, competing in every match and coming out winners more often than not.

The Under 12 players have engaged enthusiastically with rugby this term, in particular it is wonderful to regularly see over 40 boys attend after school training. Similarly, on several Saturdays we have been able to field three teams, all with plenty of replacements. With lots of boys new to the game it’s been fantastic to see such good results, the Lions only losing once and the Tigers remaining unbeaten to date. It’s clear to see that the boys’ hard work has been rewarded with some excellent performances and results.

SPORT REPORTS

Football

Mr Daniel Kulk Foundation Head of Football

The main football term at the Loughborough Sports Foundation is the one coming next, the Spring term. That is not to say that there was not plenty of football played this term. Years 11, 12 and 13 at LGS have been training hard as part of their preparation for the matches after Christmas. We have over 110 boys playing football each Tuesday and with the help from keen football staff and Quorn FC, we have some quality coaching in place to ensure perpetual improvement.

There has also been plenty of football played at Amherst and Fairfield with Amherst involved in plenty of futsal tournaments and also a Year 6 ISA tournament played over a full day at Kidderminster. We hosted the IAPS U11 tournament at Quorn. Football clubs have also been prevalent during this term at Amherst, Fairfield and the

Netball

Mrs Emma Hopper Acting Foundation Head of Netball

With the season due to tip off in January over 350 pupils from Prep to Senior school have committed to regular attendance at netball practices preseason.

The Foundation netball teams dominated in preseason fixtures in the North Charnwood central venue leagues. Year 7 Loughborough High School A team, Years 8, 9 & 10 Loughborough Amherst School A teams won the tournament nights with High School Year 8B and 9B holding the runners up position

In tournament success the High School Year 7 and Year 9 A teams as well as Amherst School Year 8 team, have all

High School with large numbers turning out each week. We look forward to the fixtures and the return to the Girls’ East Midlands League for the U13s after Christmas.

won the Team Leicestershire first round and are playing in the next round just before we break up for Christmas.

The High School U14 and U19 teams represented at the Leicestershire Schools County netball tournaments. The U14 team showed great team spirit at the tournament to hold 8th place. The U19 fought hard to come runners up in their half of the draw to make the semi-finals, where they lost to the eventual winners to secure 4th place in the county

We are delighted to welcome Miss Clark back from her injury to compete in a strong season of fixtures in the Spring term, finishing with a tour to Condover Hall at the end of the season for U12 A&B and U14 A&B teams.

We are now ready for the season, but commitment is needed to make these opportunities a success and continue to grow the “beautiful game”

SPORT REPORTS

Swimming and Triathlon

Mr Chris Perham Foundation Head of Swimming and Triathlon

Swimming

Loughborough Amherst took teams to both the ISA prep and senior swimming galas at Walsall baths, which provided many first-time experiences at a gala but also some good personal best times from those regular swimmers. We had some excellent performances with a number of 4th place finishes.

Amherst Prep Years 3 - 6 had their House swimming gala recently with parents able to come and support for the first time since covid. It was a great atmosphere with many stand out performances and improvements already being made since September. Special mention to Aksel U and Alia T – both showing incredible progress this term! Both started the year as nonswimmers and really shone their races. Agnes house became the overall House Swimming Champions by just 5 points to Teresa.

Fairfield have been swimming in Years 5 and 6 PE lessons this term with both school swim galas taking place early December and swim times have been recorded to select IAPS swim teams for next year.

Recently we had our first Foundation swimming fixture with a combined team made up from all three Senior schools. We travelled to Warwick school to swim against 12 other schools. This was a great start to getting involved in school swimming fixtures for the Foundation and with some tough competition everyone raced hard until the end and along with many PBs James N Year 7 Grammar School won the 50m Breastroke event.

Triathlon

Triathlon club has been focusing on winter training and improving skills before racing starts again next year. Many competed in the East Midlands series over the summer holidays so are now focusing on areas to improve.

Oliver Stenhouse had a great few races in Maderia for the World Triathlon Championships in which he was part of the winning team event and the name of World Champion to go with it!

Both our junior and senior swimming/ triathlon clubs currently have space for new members to join so please get in touch if interested in more information: c.perham@lsf.org

Cricket

Alex Aldred Foundation Co-Head of Cricket

Obviously this isn’t the cricket season, however we have just started our preparations ready for 2023. The 1st XI squad have started their winter programme with their S&C sessions on a Thursday after school and a Friday morning. We’ve had a great turn out so far. Our U13 boys’ team competed at

an indoor cricket competition at Trent College where we played Trent College and Nottingham High School. The Grammar School team won both games beating Trent College by 18 runs in the first game and then beating Nottingham High School after we chased down 73. The team won the triangular indoor games. We look forward to the U15 team taking part in their competition in the last week of term.

Mr

Oliver S – LGS Madeira World Triathlon Championships

Amherst Prep Swimming Team at the ISA Gala

Foundation Girls’ Swimming Team at the Warwick Gala

U13 LGS Indoor Cricket Team

SPORT REPORTS

Dance and Gymnastics

Mrs Sam Davey Foundation Head of Dance and Gymnastics

We saw the start of the club rehearsals begin across the Foundation alongside auditions for the upcoming Foundation Dance Show ‘Elemental’ in March. Exciting times ahead with lots of excellent collaborations across the Foundation schools.

Tickets for the show will go on sale towards the end of January. Watch this space as tickets always sell out fast!

Amherst senior girls were invited to perform a dance piece as part of the High School Arts evening on 17 November. They opened the evening in the Drama studio and did not disappoint with an incredible piece of choreography. Well done to Josephine A, Poppy R, Natasha N, Lillie C, Lilia B and Clarissa K.

Dance achievements

Natasha N and Clarissa K – Both recently competed at the All England dance competition – Clarissa received the following achievements - National Quartet 1st place, Greek Solo 1st Place, Character duet 3rd place and lyrical

group 3rd place. Both girls also competed in the Recent Festivals in Dudley –Clarissa and Natasha placed 2nd in their Greek quartet, Clarissa also placed 2nd in Modern, 2nd in Contemporary duet, 1st in Ballet trio, 2nd in character duet.

Olivia G – Olivia competed in two festivals (Rise above and Step above) over the past two months and received the following; Gold in Ballet and Greek solos . Silver in Modern and lyrical.

Olivia has also successful auditioned and gained a place at the ASA Theatre Arts Company and will be starting her BTEC level 3 Dance award in September, well done Olivia!

Bella L - Attended the BTDA Championship finals as part of her dance school – runner up in National and 3rd in Greek and Acro!

It’s not too late to join a dance club at school and be part of the Foundation Dance show in March!

Email S.Davey@lsf.org for details.

Gymnastics

Prep Gym club has begun for Amherst and is turning into a real success! Senior gym club is now also open for pupils to join across the Foundation every Thursday evening. Contact S.Davey@lsf.org for more details!

Karyn B reached the National Acrobatics competition in Stoke where she placed 4th overall and also attended the NorthWest Championships in the Youth category where her and her partner placed 2nd!

A fantastic achievement!

Finally, we wish Anna A’Court the best of luck in her upcoming BSGA trampolining competition in December!

Olivia Bella L

Karyn B

SPORT REPORTS

Fairfield Prep

Mr Adam Hoult Head of PE, Fairfield

Every pupil from Years 4, 5 and 6 has had the opportunity to represent the school this term. This is something we are incredibly proud of as we strive to give the children a sense of belonging, a sense of team ship and a sense of striving towards a goal with their friends by their side. In total, we have played 47 competitive fixtures with a total of 112 teams.

We have had record numbers of children attending extra curricula activities including Rugby, Hockey, Football, Gymnastics, Netball, Tennis, Kung Fu, Cross-Country, Triathlon and Basketball.

We have competed valiantly in the annual IAPS competitions. The first of which, saw the U11 boys’ football team tackle the elements to make it through to the quarter finals. The U11 girls’ hockey made great progress throughout the season and finished unbeaten in their group stages, eventually making it through to the quarter finals. The girls’ gymnastics squad attained their highest points total ever after performing brilliantly over the vaults and during their floor routines. The girls placed 8th overall which was a magnificent achievement. Most recently, the U11 boys’ rugby team competed with such energy, quality and determination and did not concede one try throughout the whole festival, remaining unbeaten throughout

Amherst Prep

Mrs Emma Hopper Head of PE, Amherst School

Autumn 2022 has seen an increase in fixtures for Amherst Prep School with pupils representing LSF in a range of sports from Swimming to Tag Rugby.

This term, Amherst Year 6 hosted both Derby High and Stoneygate for mixed tag rugby matches where we were able to field two teams. Both teams applied knowledge of the rules and their new skills, resulting in lots of tries scored and some excellent sportsmanship from both teams. You have also heard about our range of ISA competitions and we are delighted by the sporting development of our pupils at Amherst Prep. We look forward to an exciting term ahead where pupils can expect fixtures in Netball and Football.

STAFF NEWS

Cricket

We are delighted to be able to share the news with you that Mr Martyn Gidley has been selected to represent England at the Over 50’s World Cup in South Africa next March. Mr Gidley represented England in some matches over the summer and has worked hard to be selected as a spin bowler and mid-order batsman for the tour. We look forward to updating you on the competition.

We have been following the performances of Miss Jess Weaver and Miss Megan Davey who have both been starting regularly for Loughborough Lightning Women’s Rugby team in the Women’s Rugby Premiership at 9 and 10 respectively.

At the end of this term we have to say goodbye to Mrs Webster

Mrs Webster joined the Foundation in 2006 where she was a PE teacher at the High School, as well as a Year 7 tutor and head of Burton House. She moved to join the staff at Fairfield in 2014. During her time at Fairfield she has been Acting Head of PE, Head of Pre-Prep Sport but for most of her time Head of Girls’ Games. The number of teams and events that Mrs Webster has been involved in has been too great to mention. She has really enjoyed developing the gymnastics programme over the last 4 years, and is very proud of the fact that she has attended National Finals with teams from Fairfield in 9 different sports. The children that she teaches will all hold her in very high regard for the calm and caring manner in which she carries out all her teaching and coaching as well as experienced and detailed knowledge base. Lisa leaves us to take up the post as Senior Housemistress at Ratcliffe School.

Triathlon

Congratulations to Mr Chris Perham who this term was selected to represent team Bahrain for the World Super League Series during this term. After the 5 rounds (London, Munich, Malibu, Toulouse, Neom) his team (Bahrain Endurance 13 Scorpions) won the overall championship series team event by 2 points ahead of the Sharks team. Mr Perham was able to help the team throughout the series in a tactical role but also deliver some points from the run sections and overall finish position. Including the second fastest run split of 2:34 over the 1km run during the triathlon.

Basketball

At the end of November Miss Hannah Robb was selected for Great Britain in the EuroBasket Women’s Qualifiers. The team including Miss Robb travelled to Portugal and Greece where they narrowly lost out to group leaders Greece but got a huge win over Portugal beating them by 7 in overtime.

We wish Mrs Webster best of luck in her new role, we know she will be amazing!

Miss Rosie Taylor joins the Sports Faculty as a PE teacher based predominantly at Fairfield. Miss Taylor is joining us from the West Bridgford School. She completed her degree at Nottingham Trent University and her teaching qualification in PE through the University of Buckingham. Miss Taylor has previously worked as a Graduate Sports Assistant and trainee teacher at Bedford School and as a junior school sports teacher at Bedford Modern School and Cheadle Hulme School. She is looking forward to returning to teaching prep school sport. Outside of school she is a keen rower and trialled for the GB Lightweight rowing squad and has raced at the Henley Royal Regatta and the British Rowing Championships. She has continued to play club hockey and is a keen triathlete.

Mr Tom Moorhouse – Mr Moorhouse joins our team of elite graduate sports assistants. He will be joining our hockey coaching team in January. He is a current England pathway player representing Loughborough University 1st XI. Tom has been capped by England at U21 level both indoors and outdoors. We have no doubt he will be an inspiration to our teams.

During this term two new netball coaches have joined our netball coaching team;

Miss Rhea Dixon and Miss Alice Harvey. Both of these are contracted Loughborough Lightening Players.

Rhea has come through the pathway and represented England at U17, U19 and U21 level having worked through the Surrey Storm pathway. She is an England Futures Player this year as well.

Alice Harvey is an established international netball player having been part of the pathway programme at England since 2016. She is a key defender in the Loughborough Lightening set up and has been a fully capped and contracted England Roses player this year.