NETBALL TOUR CONDOVER HALL 2016 On Friday 6 May 2016 Thomas Keble School travelled to Shropshire for their annual netball tour. This is the third year we have visited Condover Hall and it did not disappoint. Condover Hall boasts an impressive Grade I Elizabethan mansion, 78 acres of beautiful gardens and state-of-the-art facilities, which had both pupils and staff excited. Activities included kayaking, high ropes, low ropes, trapeze, climbing wall, abseiling, zip wire, archery, silent disco, cinema, grid of stones, laser maze, laser conquest, campfire and a tunnelling room. We took four teams, Year 7A, Year 7B, Year 8 & Year 9. They were all very keen to get their netball matches underway and eager to demonstrate their skills and team work. We arrived at 6.30 pm on Friday evening, had a lovely hot meal and then had a tour of the site. Year 7s The Year 7s played their matches on Saturday morning, starting promptly at 9.00am. They were split into 2 teams and each team started positively after an intense warmup. We were up against some very tough opponents and although we struggled in our first few games, the girls never gave up and always remained positive. 1
During the morning, Year 7A team played 6 matches and won 1. These results did not reflect how close some of the matches were - for example, we narrowly lost to Skegness School 3-4. The other matches were very close and with the help of their coach, Miss Roberts, the girls never gave up and always tried their best. The Year 7B team started positively and gave each other huge support and praise during every game. Their coach, Mr Burrage, did a fantastic job of organising and playing everybody to their strengths and subbed the girls off and on where necessary. They also won 1 game during the morning session, with the others being very close and exciting games to watch. Overall, after the Saturday morning sessions, both Year 7 teams finished 5 th in their group, qualifying for the plate competition. On Sunday morning, both teams were raring to go. After some intense matches and excellent play by both teams, the A team managed to get through to the final. They had to play Idsall School, to whom they had previously lost on Saturday morning 4-2. The girls worked extremely hard and, together with Miss Robert s guidance, ended up winning 9 6. They were extremely proud of WINNING THE PLATE, very well done to: Captain: Thea Butler, Jess Ostle, Rosie Langston, Tilly Ashley, Anna Latham, Sophie Nesbitt and Charlie Hawksbee 2
Year 8s The Year 8s had Saturday morning to participate in all the activities before they took to the courts in the afternoon. Their coach, Mr Towler, helped the girls prepare by leading some structured drills before their games began. The girls started very positively, just missing out in their first game, 6 7 to Idsall School in the last 30 seconds. By the end of Saturday afternoon, the girls won 2 out of 5 games. Not only did they play their socks off for the Year 8 team, some of the girls were asked to 3
play up for the Year 9s, which they should be very proud of. The Year 9s really appreciated the help thank you. Overall, after the Saturday afternoon sessions, they finished 3 rd in their group. This was an amazing achievement as they had some very talented netball clubs to compete against. Year 9s During Saturday morning, the Year 9s joined with the Year 8s and had a fantastic time participating in the new water sports activities. Most girls managed to have a swim as well! By the afternoon, they were eager to get going with their netball matches. They started really well, just losing in the last minute 5 3 to Northwith Sapp School. They 4
then upped their game and won their second match 7 4. The following 3 games were very close and the girls, with Mrs Stradling s encouragement, worked tremendously hard. Overall, after the Saturday afternoon sessions, they finished 4 th in their group. This was an excellent result as they were playing with some Year 10 Netball club teams. A big thank you to all the pupils for working so hard and for their exemplary behaviour and efforts throughout the weekend. Luckily, we also had excellent weather which was a bonus and helped the weekend run smoothly. Another massive thank you to Miss Roberts, Mr Burrage and Mr Towler for all their time and dedication during the weekend. Mrs Stradling 5