Spor t
With the extraordinary Olympic summer still inspiring our
days, the school year began in earnest and the students’
sporting achievements were gathering pace. There have
been some phenomenal results over the past 12 months
and notably in a wide range of sports. Our girls’ Year
10 tennis team made it to the final stages of the Aegon
National Cup; the last 16 schools in the country after
some phenomenal victories against some impressive
schools. The Year 10 rugby team bowed out of the last 16
in the Daily Mail vase at Sherbourne school having played
some of the best rugby the school has seen in years. Our
equestrian team placed second in the prestigious Royal
Windsor Horse Show national schools show jumping
competition which was an incredible feat for such a high
profile event. On the hockey pitch (indoor) our U18 boys
became the first state school to win National gold at the
Junior National Indoor Hockey Championships whilst on
the water a J18 quad winning the Fawley Cup at Henley
Royal Regatta essentially made them the best boat in the
world!
There have been individuals who have represented
their countries again this year, and county/regional
performances aplenty. To achieve these impressive
results it is fair to say that there is a healthy pyramid of
strength beneath these teams and throughout the school,
from years 7 to 13, boys and girls. There have been many
other golden moments throughout the year. Outside the
school stage there are also some phenomenal performers
in other sports. In swimming, Connie and Tom Dean are
both England Talent Development Squad and Connie has
qualified for GB trials. In skiing Georgia Keys (Year 7) moves
into the Schuler 1 category, and will become eligible to
race in the Landes Cup races which should guarantee her
selection to the GB Under 14 Team.
We remember the wins and the losses as we learn as much
from each. House contests have been as fiercely contested
as ever. There have been personal bests and new school
records on the athletics track, wonder goals on the football
pitch and crisp moves on the netball court. Underpinning
all performances is a sense of fair play and camaraderie
encouraging the fostering of esprit de corps. Everything
counts and has created an atmosphere of enjoyment and
success that makes sport at Borlase such a healthy and
popular activity.
Of course a major thank you must go to all the teachers
and coaching staff who have given their time and
expertise to enable all of this to flourish and indeed the
parental support. A particular thank you to two parents,
Julie Swales and Melissa Wood, who have successfully
U18 Boys Hockey National Gold
Henley Royal Regatta Fawley Cup winners
