Head of PE Miss Sykes gives us a special report on the recent PGL residential where students have played a lot of sport and have taken part in great outdoor activities:
On Friday 10 May two minibuses full of Year 7 and 8 girls from the netball and football teams went on a sports tour to Shropshire to take part in a PGL Sports weekend. The girls have all shown fantastic dedication to their respective clubs this year which has resulted in some excellent performances in the league and cup competitions across Solihull. We celebrated their achievement on the PE department’s first PGL sports weekend!
The weekend incorporated a high-quality England netball tournament and top-level football coaching and game play from FA Academy coaches. There was also a range of outdoor activities like raft building, rocking climbing, abseiling, quad biking and the giant swing to enjoy.
Football
A number of the under 13 football team really turned some heads across the weekend as they took to developing their skills under some great coaching from the coaches. On the Saturday the team undertook three hours of training where they worked hard on improving their weaker foot, positioning on the ball and a variety of technical turns, before applying themselves to competitive situations in front of or defending goal.
On Sunday, with heavy legs and not enough sleep, the girls once again stepped up with great effort and application! They worked alongside players from two other schools in a tournament which saw numerous Heart of England players score or make excellent saves. At the end of the two days Alicia was voted as the players player for her excellent improvement across the weekend. Lola won the coaches player award, for her boundless positivity and motivation of others and gave impressive performances in goal and on the pitch during both days.
Georgia, Poppy, Amelia, Millie, Kaitlyn, Lois and Mia made up the remainder of the team, many of whom got votes from team mates for player of the weekend or got excellent praise from the coaches in charge.
Netball
We took two teams to play in the netball tournament who played against opponents from all over England. The Year 8 B Team including, Imogen, Hannah, Freya, Lucy, Thea, Beth and Issy were up against tough competition in the first game ending in losing. They put all their efforts into learning from the defeat, and worked so well with a mixture of wins and losses in the following matches. As a team they have developed incredibly well and I am really looking forward to next season where they can put these skills into action again. Players player went to Beth with coaches player going to Freya, so well done both!
Great tournament with @HopeAcademyPE @ColtonHills_PE at PGL, great play girls! pic.twitter.com/a80uswWoo0
— HOE Sport (@HOESport) May 12, 2019
The year 8 A team entered the final, having played 7 teams undefeated. The pressure was on to win the final against Lode Heath, a team that they had previously beaten in the group stage. Unfortunately, after a hard battle they did not manage to become overall champions but gained a very well deserved 2 place.
Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding play and great sportsmanship throughout all the games; Ella, Jess, Hattie, Millie, Sophia, Charlotte, Holly. Players player: Jess, MVP: Charlotte.
Miss Sykes, Head of PE