First Virtual Senior Sports Awards

On Wednesday 20th May, the PE, Sport and Wellness Department hosted Leighton Park’s first Virtual Senior Sports Awards for Years 11 to Upper Sixth.

A befitting opening to the evening, Director of Sport, Jeremy Belas, announced “This is a celebration, as always, of your skill, effort, camaraderie and resilience. For me sport is many things, but one thing it teaches all of us is resilience and how to bounce back… Can we turn something potentially negative into a positive?”

And that is just what happened as 60 students and staff put on their glad rags for the camera, swapping out usual venue Oakview for an exclusive Google Meet and turning a potential negative into a successful and memorable celebration.

Organiser of the event and Head of Netball, Zoe Macpherson, commented “The afternoon was inclusive, personal and well balanced to the sporting experiences of the students and the staff members who have coached Rugby, Hockey, Basketball, Netball and Football seasons through this academic year. Students shared their Captain speeches before the coaches gave their overview of the season and presented the long-awaited awards; Most Improved Player, Coaches’ Player and Player’s Player.”

First Team Rugby Captain, Hugo, summarised the boys’ highlights in his speech, which included the superb turn out for Friday Night Lights and a talk from former Reading FC Manager, Brian McDermott. An extremely rewarding season for Head of Rugby and Athletic Development, Andy Gallacher, he joked “I was kind of hoping with the success of our rugby squad this year I might get to be the headline speaker.”

He continued “We put out two very young sides mainly consisting of under 16s players, week in week out playing against under 18 teams and this is a truly remarkable example of bravery and courage in my eyes… For me, our players this year really embodied what rugby is about.” Andy also commended the senior players dedication to coaching the Fryer teams and their support at rugby events and hobbies.

Boys’ First Team Hockey Captain and Player’s Player for his leadership, William, remarked of the Hockey team, “It has been great to see commitment from less experienced players. I think this drove us to the victories we had this season.” Those players included Taran, who played the season in a new position and Will, who hadn’t played any Hockey prior to his involvement in the team! Both their efforts were recognised with the Most Improved Player award.

Speaking of the unity in the Girls’ First Hockey Team, Head of Hockey, Matt Richards, commented “It was really pleasing to see that even though some might have said we had a stronger individual team last year, we actually played so much better as a team this year.” From losing out against Claire’s Court at the start of the year, a game Captain and Coaches’ Player, Tabby, described as “the tensest of the season”, the girls finished with a fantastic 8 – 0 win against Shiplake and returned to beat Claire’s Court.

Another cause for celebration was the growing appetite for Basketball within the School. Director of Sport, Jeremy Belas, gave a special mention to Hira, the only girl currently playing on the team and said, “I look forward to seeing where basketball goes in the future.”

First Team Basketball Captain and Most Improved Player, Drin, reported in his speech “Steven, Philippos and Yemin are worth mentioning; they give it 110% and at the end of every single game I’d be amazed that they could still walk after how much effort, blood, sweat and tears they put into it.” Philippos secured the overwhelming majority from his team for Player’s Player and Yemen was awarded Coaches’ Player for his technical dribbling.

Zoe Macpherson, Head of Netball, Heidi Kenny, PE and Games Teacher and Alice Ledson, Coach were delighted to share the achievements of this year’s three Senior Netball Teams, a feat in itself; three senior teams not having been produced for several years. This season the girls were foremost proud to claim the highest spot attained in Netball at Leighton Park, having achieved third place in the Reading League.

Described by her coach, Zoe, as “possibly the most motivated netballer I’ve taught at LP”, (a statement supported by her team, who voted her Player’s Player), First Team Captain, Livvy, reflected “We’ve had many highlights and I think everyone’s was ISA which didn’t go to plan, but it turned out to be a great trip. We also played really experienced schools such as Rugby school, which really showed the talent at LP and exposed how cohesive our team was.”

Saving a farewell from the footballers till last, Anton, First Team Football Captain and Players’ Player, shared the team’s favourite memories of Tim Green, Head of Football, who will be moving on to a new position at the end of the academic year. The boys’ fond recollections included “his ever-animated celebrations on the side-lines when we score or win a game.”

Other members of the sports community mused on Tim’s time at Leighton Park with heartfelt messages. Zoe Macpherson, Head of Netball, asserted “We’re going to miss how much dedication you put into PE and Sport at LP.” Graham Smith, Housemaster of School House, added “You have had in Tim a fantastic captain… He’s going to leave us in a stronger position… we owe you a great debt of gratitude for everything that you have done.”

With a smile on his face, Tim responded, “It’s been really great to see so many people with a keen interest in playing football, not just males, but females and that’s something I’m really proud of. We’ve developed professional footballers which is an amazing achievement considering we’re such a small school.” Speaking directly to the students he continued “Be ready and keep participating, make sure you keep it going and represent your school – no matter what team you are in!” Tim followed with the award announcements for his three senior football teams.

The proceedings then turned to pay tribute to Mark Simmons, Head of Year 9, longest serving member of teaching staff at Leighton Park and influential member of the sporting community throughout his 40 years on the Park.

In her moving speech Jakki Marr, Head of Girls’ Games, said of Mark “A great speaker with many a tale to tell; an ardent man, who’s passionate about sport, passionate about Leighton park and developing citizens. During his time at Leighton Park he has been inspirational in his methods of teaching and coaching. A great motivator, he gains the trust of his students and they perform to their best. His moral compass is sound, and he will fight for justice both on and off the field. There’s so much Mark has experienced at Leighton Park and so much we have gained from him being at Leighton Park.”

A highlight of the evening was the attendance of Old Leightonian, Sports Scholar, Former First Rugby Team Captain and Head Boy, turned Academy Professional Rugby Player for London Irish, Chunya Munga, who presented the awards for Female and Male Sport Personality and spoke about his remarkable sporting career so far, post life at Leighton Park.

Announcing the Female Sport Personality 2020, Chunya, described winner, GB Kayaker, Kate, as “passionate, hardworking and humble.” Male Sports Personality 2020 was then awarded to Alex, noted as “a determined and gifted athlete.”

Sharing his goals for the coming year and giving the lowdown on training during lockdown, Chunya reflected on the year he has had since picking up his A Level results on Thursday 15th August 2019 and starting his professional journey with London Irish on the Monday.

Jeremy Belas, Director of Sport, commented “I know I speak for the whole school when I say we’re watching you closely and hope you keep going ahead – smash it, play for full England and tear up that premiership when you’re back playing rugby!”

To finish, Outstanding Contribution to Sport was presented. The award, created in recent years to celebrate not just players and top performers, but leaders and individuals who support the department in fixtures, umpiring and hobbies, was dedicated to Ellie.

Jeremy Belas, ended the first virtual Senior Sports Awards by saying, “We cannot wait to get back to school and start playing sport with you all again!”