Stopfordian 2010–2011 - Stockport Grammar School

The Stopfordian 2010–2011
GAMES
As I write this introduction, we have just reached the end of a
hectic year of sport. We were challenged at the end of the
Autumn Term and beginning of the Spring Term by adverse
weather conditions and, despite the promising start, the
Summer Term was to prove equally frustrating. Despite these
problems, our pupils continued to be totally committed to
their sport and you will read of the successes achieved in the
next few pages. As always, my sincere thanks to all those
academic staff who have made time in their busy schedule to
assist with sport at the School. Thanks also to the Grounds
Staff who undoubtedly produce the very best playing surfaces
in the North West and to the catering and caretaking
departments who support us so well throughout the year.
Finally, thanks are due to my colleagues in the PE Department
– there cannot be a more committed group of professionals!
After a short stay of one year, Miss Merriman left the PE
Department in July to join her fiancée in Qatar. She has given
a great deal to the School and I wish her every future success.
C. J. Wright
HOCKEY
Another successful season closes and it is time to reflect on a
year where more girls than ever have been selected to play on
the Greater Manchester sides and from there the North of
England teams. There have been an unprecedented number
of representative honours this year which come as a result of
the hard work and dedication that these individuals have
shown in practices and matches. Martha Watson played for
Bowden Hockey club in the National indoor Under 18s finals.
Amanda Bennison, Charlotte Bailey and Sophie Hall were a
vital part of the Alderley Edge Under 18 side who won the
National Clubs competition for that age group. Amanda jets
off to the United States of America to begin a Hockey
scholarship at Indiana University and we look forward to
regular updates of how she is getting on “State side”.
The Under 12s were undefeated and scored outstanding wins
against tough opposition: Arnold were taken apart, Altrincham
humbled, and they dominated the Stockport Schools’
Tournament sweeping aside all who challenged them. They
have a very bright future ahead of them and I look forward to
watching them continue to flourish and develop.
Mrs Jones worked with the Under 13s and guided them to
several notable victories. They terrorised many defences and
scored some goals which almost broke the back-boards.
Enthusiastic and energetic in all that they do, they are driven
in midfield, calm and collected at the back. They still have
much to learn but have a great potential.
Mrs Lockwood has enjoyed coaching the Under 14s this year
after a couple of difficult seasons. A talented squad, they have
a magnificent record this season and scored victories against
teams a year older than themselves. Their personal highlight
will be the final of the Stockport Schools’ Tournament where
they tore Cheadle Hulme apart, recording an 8-1 victory in a
game which was only 20 minutes each way. I look forward to
taking them forward as a squad next season and would not be
at all surprised if some of them forced their way into the 1 st XI.
Victory and win are not words the Under 15s were familiar
with until this season, having struggled to secure victories in
the past. One of my hardest jobs this season was to re-build
their confidence in their own ability and I think this has been
successfully achieved. They have battled hard on the pitch
and with a more dedicated approach have the potential to
achieve great things. Sophie Hall and Jennifer Warwick made
the big step up to the 1st XI and performed well; Sophie
scored several goals on her début in the Greater Manchester
Schools’ tournament, including one from a very acute angle.
I encourage them all to keep working hard.
Laura Potter led the 2 nd XI to one of their most successful
seasons. The team have a special bond both on and off the
pitch; they have won several games and been robbed in
several others! This year sees on out-flux of a number of key
players who I hope will continue to play in the future. I thank
Laura for all of her hard work, but also Olivia “I’ve got an
Open Day” Spencer, Katie “I used to be a goal-keeper but I
play at the back now” McCay and Alicia “we should beat
them shouldn’t we Withy?” Warner who have served the 2 nd
XI well.
The 1 st XI were strong, committed and determined to do well
this season and have knitted together perhaps even better
than I could have hoped. The winning of the Greater
Manchester Under 18 Tournament at the end of the season
perhaps despatched their long lingering anguish of their defeat
in the North round of the National Schools’ where we were
cruelly beaten after dominating the game in the play-off final.
Highlights include Olivia Simpson scoring the goal which beat
Cheadle Hulme on her 16 th birthday and celebrating in a way
that would have befit a World Cup final, Lara Acott smashing
goals in left right and centre during her one and only injury
free season, ably served by Phoebe Broome flashing down the
wing and crossing the ball and Amanda Bennison bouncing off
dreadful tackle after dreadful tackle in midfield as the
opposition struggled to cope with her weaving runs. Phoebe
has been an outstanding captain and I thank her for all of her
hard work. The departure of the Three Musketeers, Phoebe
“Feeble” Broome, Lara “Apricot” Acott and Amanda “Benny”
Bennison will leave a big hole in terms of both skill and
personality. Special thanks at this point should be given to
“The Family Broome” who have watched almost every single
match in which Phoebe has played during her 7 years at SGS;
they have umpired for me, provided the “118 118” outfits for
the last match of the season and become a real part of the
Saturday morning set up, they too will be greatly missed.
The season was punctuated by the weather which ravaged the
fixture list between November and January forcing the
Sport 73