Sports Report: October 2010
Term 1 has been an exciting term for sport at Strood Academy. The year started well, with the introduction of clubs for fitness, athletics, rugby for girls and boys, netball, and football for girls and boys.
During the term, the Academy competed in fixtures for football and netball and also took part in a rowing competition at Medway Park. The P.E. Department have been extremely impressed with the level of participation at the clubs mentioned above, with many students choosing to enjoy the sport on offer in one or more of these fun activities.
Term 1 saw the first ever competitive football match for our Sixth Form, who suffered a defeat at the hands of Tunbridge Wells Grammar School. It must be remembered that this was the boy’s first game together, and Tunbridge Wells Grammar have a strong tradition for sporting excellence, and their boys have played together for many years. The most pleasing aspect of the fixture was the determination and spirit shown by the boys and we look forward to more fixtures with this Year group.
The highlights of the football season to date are unquestionably the victories by the Year 9 boys against Valley Park in the Kent Cup, and the Year 11s 4-0 victory over Brompton Academy in the Medway League. The Year 9 boys went into their game with Valley missing several key players through injury, but showed tremendous fighting qualities to come from 1-0 down to win 3-1 after extra-time. The quality of the football played by the team after going a goal down was breathtaking, capped by a long range George Surry volley to register the third goal. The Year 11s also entertained with their style of play in their victory over Brompton. A spectacular free-kick and well converted penalty by captain Albi Robinson, and high quality finishes by Fox and Gudja sealed an impressive win. The goal from Fox completed an impressive term for the player, after he was selected to play for the Kent Representative team.
On Thursday 7th October Strood Academy entered a number of boys into the Medway Schools ‘Indoor Rowing Competition’ at Medway Park, Gillingham. This was the second year that the event had been held, and the first time Strood Academy had entered a team. The boys who were selected to represent the Academy were chosen through rowing times achieved during their PE Curriculum lessons. After a number of practice sessions the boys were looking forward to the competition and wondered how they would fair in the competition against other Medway Schools. The students rowed in Year Group Order, with the Year 8’s getting off to a reasonable start in their heats thanks to efforts from Joshua Benocci, Daniel Scales, Daniel Birch & Frank Macklin. Then it was the turn of three Year 9 Boys, with William Lindsay, Harry O’Keefe and Dylan Isaacs selected from a strong year group. All three boys performed excellently during their heats with Dylan Isaacs excelling with an outstanding 4th position overall in the Year 9 Boys category. The Year 10’s were next to follow, and they were represented through Joshua Jackson & Ryan Thomas. Both boys competed well and finished within a metre of each other during their heat. The Year 11’s were represented by Dylan Hewitson, Liam Banbury & Ben Jewiss, with all 3 boys working hard but struggling with the intensity of their keenly contested heat. Congratulations to all boys involved, there was a great deal of team spirit shown throughout the competition that bodes well for the rest of the Academic Sporting Calendar.
Term 1 also saw the year 7 netball team play their first game against Walderslade on the 20th October. Although the girls did not come away with the victory that they hoped for, there were plenty of positives, particularly some of the interplay and the determination and team work demonstrated. On the same day, the Year 9 girls also took on Walderslade, and were eventually defeated by strong opposition, after playing some amazing netball. Special mention must go to Georgia Rowlatt for her consistent effort and support of her fellow team members. Thanks goes to Justin Mcavoy and Rachel Benson who assisted with scoring and time keeping for both games.
Term 2 sees the continuation of the term 1 sports clubs, with the introduction of basketball, badminton and cross country to the extra-curricular timetable, with competitions scheduled in badminton, basketball and cross country as part of the Medway Youth Games schedule.