WGS - TOP 50 FOR SPORT

Withington has ended the winter sports season on a high with three netball teams winning national titles, and a number of other trophies secured at different levels.

Our U13 and U15 squads won their respective finals at the Independent Schools National Netball Cup, held at the University of Hertfordshire on Friday 3rd March. Withington teams played in two of the three age group finals and both teams faced Cheadle Hulme School. The U13s won 34-33 and the U15s won 55-45. The Most Valuable Player awards were granted to U15 Captain Ava and U13 Vice-Captain Amelie.

The U14 team also have a national title after winning the Sisters n Sport Cup, a week after narrowly finishing as second in the country at England Netball’s National Schools Final. In the SnS final, played on Thursday 23rd March at the neutral ground of Bromsgrove School near Birmingham, they beat Hurstpierpoint College 52-33, and Player of the Match was awarded to Sophia. Many thanks to the parents who have travelled to support the players at fixtures across the country.

On Friday 24th March, Withington hosted Year 8, 9 and 10 pupils from Ealing Fields High School, London for a friendly netball tournament against Withington’s Year 7 players. Three WGS teams - A, B and C - played against three sides of London pupils, winning all three matches. A team won 15-3; B team won 14-2 and C team won 7-0.

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U12A said:

We were a really strong team throughout this match, so in order to keep it competitive we decided to all play out of position in the second quarter to give our defenders an opportunity to practice shooting and shooters an opportunity to defend. Our defenders, Manvi and Bea, did really well swapping to shooting; Laurel was given player of the match. We then played their Year 10 team for two quarters. It was a challenge playing against Year 10s but we all played really well and worked the ball down court to a 9-7 win. Annabel was given player of the match.”

Scarlett and Dalia on the B team said:

“ We won the match 14 - 2 and enjoyed playing their team. We did some great interceptions and towards the end some of our players played out of their usual positions. Next time we could improve on cutting in front of our players. At the end of the match Dalia got player of the match.”

Esme on U12C said:

“Everyone played extremely well. Throughout the game we played out of position which was challenging but despite that, we all played brilliantly. We can improve our shooting accuracy and driving for the ball. The player of the match was Melissa, and it was very well deserved.”

Two Withington teams played at England Lacrosse’s National Schools Championships this term. The U19 competition took place during the weekend of Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th March. After a string of successful matches on the first day of the tournament, the U19s reached the final 16 played on the Sunday. It was a tough day for the team who fought hard, remaining determined and positive throughout the competition.

Due to bad weather, the U14 competition that was due to be played on Monday 13th March was postponed. Withington’s U14s rose to the challenge of competing in an age group up and they played in the U15 competition. The team of Year 8 and Year 9 pupils worked well together to secure a win, a draw and two narrow losses on the first day of the tournament, though not enough to go through to knockouts. The team should be proud of their achievement in playing so well against older pupils.

The ranking includes both independent and state schools, co-ed, all-boys, and all-girls schools, and it is based on performance in national competitions. This achievement is testament to the hard work and dedication to sport of our pupils and staff. Congratulations to all!

17 WGS pupils represented Lancashire or Cheshire at the under 13 lacrosse county tournament at the end of March, marking the biggest representation we’ve had at this tournament. Congratulations to the following pupils:

Y8 - Tolu Akinola, Amelie Bramer, Keziah Cooke, Genevieve Flanagan, Lara McManaman, Henrietta Nelstrop, Alexandra Peach, Imogen Polly, Ruby Senior, Ava Shah & Clara Wilkinson.

Y7 - Annee Grover, Anaya Jaiswal, Anushka Khunger & Annabel Lama.

Y8 - Katie Conway

Y7 - Emilia Cichocki

N.B. Not pictured Clara, Gen, Anushka, Anaya, Annabel, Annee, Emilia.

At the North Schools Lacrosse Tournament, the U15s won their age category, the U12s and U13s finished as runners-up and the U14s placed in fourth. Well done to all our players.

In preparation for the netball and lacrosse national finals in March, our pupils had the opportunity to play some special fixtures. The Senior Team enjoyed a competitive match of lacrosse against students from the University of Manchester, resulting in a 12-4 win. The U14 netball squad played Manchester Thunder’s U14 pathway team of which several Withington pupils are also members. Thanks to our opponents for these two great games.

Withington is to be well represented at the Lacrosse Home Internationals with four current pupils, two members of staff, one of whom is a WGS alumnae and three other alumnae participating in the competition.

Eva Bowie and Carys Bucknall will represent Scotland alongside Mrs Roberts, Teacher of PE, who will play on the Senior team; sisters Kit and Eliza Towers are representing Wales, and playing in the men’s competition and representing England U20s is Mr Bickerton, Lacrosse Coach. Withington alumnae at the competition are Ailsa Stott, Head Coach of Scotland’s Senior Women, Chess Grey (Scotland) and Charlie Bell (England).

The Lacrosse Home Internationals are being held in Nottingham on 15th and 16th April. We look forward to updating on this competition in the Summer Bulletin.

On Thursday 16th March, 14 WGS pupils attended the YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships being held at Birmingham Arena. It was a unique experience for all and one which was thoroughly enjoyed.

During the Autumn and Spring Terms, House events contribute to the awarding of the Winter Shield. These include hockey, lacrosse, football, badminton, and volleyball contests, the Library Blind Date with a Book challenge, the Spring Fair stalls, quizzes, scavenger hunts, dodgeball, the House Carol competition, Bake Off and many more activities.

The 2023 Winter Shield results are:

1ST SIMON - 208 POINTS

2ND HERFORD - 205 POINTS

3RD LEJEUNE - 191 POINTS

4TH SCOTT - 187 POINTS

New to Withington this term is the Student Arts Council, set up for pupils to share their voice on Art, Drama and Music activity at school.

The group first met on Tuesday 7th March to establish a cross-curricular audit and identify where subject areas already overlap and where this could be strengthened. The group also spoke about planning a local trip to better get to know one another through shared interest. Each meeting will start with sharing something good (or bad) relating to the Arts since the last meeting.

The Student Arts Council are working towards delivering an assembly about their work and how others can get involved in the Summer Term.