A busy term of sport across the country

It’s lovely to finally be able to report on a busy term of sport; it has almost felt ‘normal’ at times. We have been able to attend ISA events again, as well as a full term of fixtures and hosting our annual cross country competition. We even made it on our Saxons Tour! As I write this review, the sun is shining and it’s exciting to look ahead to see what the summer term will look like. But let’s talk about the spring term……9 weeks of fixtures against other schools, a fair few ISA competitions in the mix, Year 5 Saxons Tour and a week of internal house matches to round it off. It’s been super busy when we consider the multiple places we have visited to attend competitions: Alleyn Court, Southend-on-Sea; Gresham’s, Holt; Finborough School, Stowmarket; Lee Valley Stadium, London and the list goes on! Maybe we should start a map of where Copthill teams have ventured! Our first ISA tournament of the term came in the form of U11 netball. We travelled down to Southend-on-Sea and took part in a wonderfully organised tournament where we narrowly missed out on qualifying for the national event. Next was ISA hockey where the boys had an outstanding day at Lee Valley and came away Plate Champions 2022. We then entered the regional cross country event where a phenomenal 8 children qualified for the national final at Worksop College. On a gloriously sunny day, Copthill had their first child receive a medal at national level through one of our very talented Year 4 boys. The ISA season drew to a close with the U10 netballers being named silver medalists with a dominating display of netball, only missing out on goal difference. We tested a new competition this year in the form of Regional In2Hockey for the boys. It was held at Gresham’s and made for a superb day of quality hockey which we hope to be involved in again next year for both boys and girls. After a long break due to COVID, we were finally able to host our Copthill cross country event and open the grounds to 10 other schools with their participating runners and spectators. The weather wasn’t on our side but Mr Smith stepped up in my absence (due to COVID!) and ran a seamless day supported by our wonderful team of extended sports staff. Another welcome return came in the form of the Year 5 Saxons Sports Tour. This was the very last event Copthill sport enjoyed before the pandemic hit back in 2020. We took the children up to Gateways School in Leeds for an enjoyable sports tournament before heading on to Bewerley Park, where we embraced the outdoors and challenged ourselves with the leap of faith, scrambling at Brimham Rocks, climbing, rope courses and much more. The children were very well behaved which made for a busy and pleasurable tour. We finished the term with our house matches. We were blessed with the most amazing weather and, as we basked in the sunshine, Milton won U11 boys’ hockey, Burghley U11 girls’ netball and Milton stole the double for U9 netball and hockey. There was mass participation and lots of smiling faces all managed by our wonderful house captains. It feels a timely opportunity to thank all the supporting parents - those who have offered help with travel arrangements, supported regardless of the weather, ferried forgotten kit and been there with a smile at collection time. To each and every one of you, thank you. Fixtures are a huge team effort and, without your support and the dedication of our wonderful sports department, we would not have the extensive weekly programme we do. So thank you to all involved and here’s to a sunny and exciting summer term of cricket in our new cricket trousers!