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12 SPORT
Netball Coaching
With Sasha Corbin
Tomisin Awoyode 3N
On Friday 9
March, the much-
anticipated day
arrived as England
netball international,
and Benecos
Mavericks’ captain,
Sasha Corbin came to
Bancroft’s to visit and
coach the Thirds girls.
We were all very excited to finally meet Sasha as she was meant
to come the week before, but she couldn’t make it due to adverse
weather conditions. Sasha is vastly experienced and plays centre
and wing attack for both Mavericks and England. She watched us
play, taught us some new tricks, and gave us tips, such as the back
drive and how to successfully secure a centre pass, which we all
appreciated. After this, she took some of our questions, and then
we took photos with her! It was a great, helpful and enjoyable
experience. Thanks to Ms Nelson and all our netball teachers for
inviting her!
U13 Gresham’s Hockey Weekend
Mr Jonathan Prole
Our Removes boys’ hockey squad travelled up
to Gresham’s School, in Norfolk, for an intensive
weekend of hockey at the end of last term. They
played nineteen matches in three days, placing a
predictable last in the indoor section, but achieving
a commendable fourth out of sixteen teams in
the outdoor tournament. Mr Jonathan Prole, who
coaches the team, said, “As you might expect, their
hockey improved markedly and it will be a valuable
experience for them in the future.”
Apart from the busy programme of hockey, the boys enjoyed the sunny
weather, playing games of football with the staff and sunbathing like
seals around the pitches. The accommodation and catering were pretty
impressive, with Mr Prole claiming that he “may have come back a
couple of pounds heavier myself!” They also managed to take a trip to
Sheringham, a small coastal village where the boys dipped their feet in
the sea and ate giant ice-cream cones. They ventured out to the event
disco on Sunday night, where loud music and dancing were the order
of the day.
Mr Prole, who helps to coach the Redbridge team, said that he hoped
that the majority of the team would attend trials for the U14 borough
hockey team, that will be competing in the annual London Youth
Games at Crystal Palace as “they would prove invaluable to the squad.”
Netball Report
Miss Kandis Nelson, Head of Netball
The netball term this year has been a very busy one.
Despite the unpredictable weather, we were able
to field fixtures for all teams across all year groups.
The level of performance across schools in the area,
including our own, has improved this year, bringing
us tougher competitions. We had some wins and
some losses in our domestic fixtures and competitive
tournaments.
Special congratulations to our Senior 1st teamwho not only played
weekly fixtures but also made it to the quarter finals of the Essex
Cup and SMILES Independent Schools Netball Plate, as well as being
successful in reaching the regional rounds of the National Schools’
Tournament. Further congratulations to the U14s who competed in
the Essex Cup competition and were sadly beaten by our local rivals
Forest in the quarter finals. They too made it through to regional
round of National Schools.
We have also had
individual achievements
from some of our
students outside of
School. Charlotte
Seaton, Lottie Gillet
and Neha Pillai were all
successful in being part
of Benecos Mavericks’
youth performance
pathway, while Anna
Francesca-Hammond
and Victoria Morgan–
Couch were selected
for the Surrey Storm
youth performance pathway.
I have really enjoyed being Head of Netball this year and have been
very impressed with the pupils’ effort, attitude and commitment to
the sport. I hope the additional opportunities have inspired them to
continue to play netball at their highest level. Although I will not be
here next year I look forward to hearing all about the netball success
at Bancroft’s.