An Exiting Autumn Term For Sports

September and the start of the hockey and rugby term seems like a long time ago now!  We have had a great Autumn Term in many ways and had to be very flexible and adaptable and react quickly to the different circumstances that presented themselves throughout the term.

A return to rugby was very welcome and although following the RFU rules meant playing to the rules of the age group below, everyone has really enjoyed being able to get muddy knees and some super fixtures against our local schools. Highlights of the term include the Under 10 team playing so well at the Queens Festival, not losing a game, the Under 11 team played at the Southwest IAPS Festival and again returned with special medals having won all of their matches during the day.  Our 1^st team, made up of some talented Year 8 boys travelled to Rugby School to play in the inaugural National Under 13 Festival, and were very privileged to be able to play on the very fields that the game of rugby started many years ago.  This was something that they will remember for many years to come. 

The girls have all enjoyed a great hockey term, from Year 3 to Year 8 everyone has experienced the buzz of match day and despite having had several fixtures cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, they can all be proud of the progress they have made this term. Highlights include the Under 11 girls winning the King’s Bruton tournament, the Under 12a, b and c teams all winning the Hazlegrove tournaments and the Under 11 and Under 13 Regional IAPS tournaments, where both teams played so well, our 1^st team finishing with 3^rd place in the plate competition and our Under 11 girls losing out on penalty flicks in the quarter finals. The Under 12 girls travelled to Repton to play in their National Finals and were superb, what a great experience and they certainly rose to the challenge finishing 2^nd in their group and finishing as one of the last eight teams.

We have enjoyed seeing the fields busy again on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes, with Park Run being able to start again and it has been great to see some of you taking advantage of this chance to get outside and run in the wonderful Hazlegrove grounds.  Congratulations to those of you who are very close to reaching your first milestone of the term – and to both Daisy and Bibi Abernethy who have completed 15 runs. 

This term we have also seen the return of school swimming training and matches and two different School Biathlon competitions – the National Finals and also the Southwest Regional qualifier for this coming year.  Hazlegrove were a superb presence at the National Finals at Bath University in October half term, when over 50 of our athletes from Year 4 to those that had left us last summer competed for the school. This national event brought together children from across the nation and, as well as some excellent running and swimming, it was great to meet two Tokyo gold medal winners and other Olympic athletes over the weekend.

The National Laser Run competition happened in Solihull at the end of September and again Hazlegrove were well represented – this is a sport that as a school we have enjoyed much success both on a national and international stage. It is lovely to see so many new young faces taking advantage of this club every Thursday.

Last weekend a number of our School riders were competing at a Schools Show Jumping competition and a particular ‘well done’ must go to Arthur Fisher who won the final class of the day on his pony Puzzle – well done.  We have a number of different competitions taking place over the festive break and we wish those children good luck.

This term has brought with it many challenges, but sport brings out the very best in people and the key values that mean so much are epitomised through the super afternoons that have been spent out on the hockey and rugby pitches. Friendship’s blossom, shared experiences – good or bad will be etched in the memories, team work, leadership and camaraderie are all on display. A well-known quote to sum up what we strive for here at Hazlegrove on the sports pitches:

"Practice with purpose, perform with pride, win with humility, lose with dignity"

Mr and Mrs Cobb