Sport Successes in the Autumn Term
11 December 2024 - All
This term has been truly exciting for Sport at Wycombe Abbey, with some significant team and individual achievements, an increase in participation across various sports, and numerous new opportunities. The numbers in our major sports, paid extras, and recreational clubs are at an all-time high, and it has been wonderful to see so many pupils staying active and enjoying being involved in various sports and activities with their peers.
Our golf provision has been reviewed, and our Wycombe Heights golf coach will now be on-site during the winter months. The new golf simulator has provided some of our pupils with tailored individual coaching to help them progress. A re-launch of our gymnastics programme has shown a rise in participation across our junior year groups, and we look forward to entering some team and individual competitions next year. We also had a group of pupils representing the school at a table tennis tournament for the first time!
Several team successes stand out, with the U15A Lacrosse team crowned County Champions after a thrilling golden goal win against Lady Eleanor Holles. Although the U19A and B Lacrosse County Tournament has been postponed to next term, our junior teams continue to excel in preparation for County and National Schools competitions in the Spring Term. The U19 Netball team triumphed in their county round, placing first and advancing to the regional finals in February. In squash, we entered two teams from KS3 and KS5, and one from KS4, into the England Squash National Schools competition. All teams performed well in the first round and have either progressed through into the cup or shield competition. We also entered a group of U18 players into the Surrey Open Independent School Squash Tournament at Epsom College, facing tough competition, providing many players a competitive experience.
In the pool, the Junior Swimming Team qualified for the national finals for the second consecutive year, finishing 8th and 10th in the country in the Freestyle and Medley relays. In cross-country, the Junior Team made history by finishing 1st in the first round, 21 points ahead of their nearest competitors, and winning the regional final, securing a place in the national finals next term. We saw individual success from Annabelle (LVI) swimming at the Rotterdam qualification meet at the end of November as part of a team with Aquatics GB. She participated in 50 free, back and fly, 100 free and fly and 200 free and achieved a personal best in four out of six of her events. Her most notable performances were winning the 100 free junior final by a whopping 0.98s and coming 4th in the A final of the 200 free. She also swam at Winter Nationals in Sheffield recently coming 4th in the 400 free, winning the B finals of the 200 and 50 free and being crowned junior champion of the 100 free.
Performance athletes have benefitted from tailored strength and conditioning sessions led by Mr Mills, showing excellent progress in their respective sports. Next term, we are excited to welcome Mr Josh Wall as the new Director of Performance and Athletic Wellbeing, who will support our performance athletes and oversee the athletic development of all our pupils.
Alongside Drama and Music, co-curricular afternoons have been filled with sport, providing friendly and competitive opportunities, including lacrosse, football, badminton, handball, and swimming. The golf simulator and Pitt’s dominant 4-0 victory in the House Lacrosse finals (after an intense round-robin) added extra excitement. With events such as House cross-country and netball still to come, the race for the House Shield is set to remain close and competitive at the end of the Spring Term.
This term, we also held our annual House Dance competition, where UIV pupils choreographed their own pieces to musical theatre songs. Wendover emerged victorious with a polished performance to Annie. Rehearsals for the Highlights Dance show are well underway and we are excited to showcase the combined talents of Lower and Upper School pupils.
As I conclude my role as Acting Director of Sport, I’ve reflected on the past few terms, which have been filled with outstanding achievements and high levels of participation across a range of competitive and recreational sports. We look forward to hearing and sharing more success stories from some of our pupils competing over the Christmas break. Finally, I would like to say thank you to the PE Department for all their support this term, we welcome back Mrs Bryett-Windle from maternity leave in January, and we wish Miss Lucy Smith and Miss Hannah Hanks the best of luck in their new roles as they move on from Wycombe Abbey at the end of this term.
Miss Ruby Smith
Acting Director of Sport
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