2009 was a tremendous year for College sport. Hockey continues to excel with both U16 girls and boys’ hockey teams representing the West of England in the 2009 National Finals, the U18 girls through to the 2010 National Finals and the U16 girls through to the West of England Finals. Many pupils are involved with Junior Regional Performance Centres across the country and Sixth Formers Holly Chipman and Georgia Rawlinson represented England in the European Nations Hockey Championships in Belgium over the summer. College Hockey Professional Richard Lane was called up to England Senior Hockey Squad. Rounders has enjoyed equal international success, with pupils Olivia Schofield and Sarah Wild representing England and Assistant Director of Sport Caroline Park being appointed Head Coach for Rounders England.
As for rugby, following in the footsteps of the 1st XV’s unbeaten season in 2008 hasn’t been easy but the teams have shown great determination and ability. Our Colts A team for example, have showed some excellent talent with 3 boys already achieving representative honours.
The XI cricket team had an outstanding season in 2009, retaining the Chesterton Cup and recording 15 victories out of 20 throughout the season. The boys’ tennis team qualified from over 440 schools to reach the last 16 at the National Finals, finishing 10th out of all schools in England and Wales. Both girls’ and boys’ squash teams triumphed in the National Schools Trophy Finals and for the first time, College girls reached the finals of the swimming medley in one of the top independent schools swimming leagues, while the boys brought home the prestigious Alderman Cup, one of the English Schools’ Swimming Association trophies. Record success was had in the Schools Rifles meeting, with 8 pupils gaining the illustrious Schools 100 badge and captain Lulu Watson winning the 5th badge of her career.
Finally, 16 year old Lucy Peel was crowned the U17 English Alpine Ski Champion and Richard Morrissey qualified for the Athletics National Finals before recording a PB of 10.54 in an athletics meet against Radley.