DISTANCE LEARNING EDITION 2019/2020
THE BRITISH SCHOOL AL KHUBAIRAT
PE & SPORT NEWSLETTER
CONTENT Message from the Director of Sport .…………………………………………………………...03 Photo Highlights of Term 2 ..………………………………………………………………...04-14 Sports Day - Nursery & Reception ……………………………………………………..……….15 Sports Day - Year 1 & 2 …………………………………………………………………………..16 Secondary Sports Day ……………………………………………………………………………17 Primary Sports Personality of the Year - Girls …..……….……………………………………..18 Primary Sports Personality of the Year - Boys ..…………………………………………....…..19 Secondary Sports Personality of the Year - Girls ……………………...…………………..…..20 Secondary Sports Personality of the Year - Boys …………..……………………………..…...21 Primary Sports Team of the Year ……………………………………………………..………....22 Secondary Sports Team of the Year ………………………………………………………....….23
A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF SPORT ‘Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths.’ - Arnold Schwarzenegger
Although our sporting seasons were cut short this year, there is still much to savour and reminisce over with our wonderful students doing BSAK proud both on and off the field. The shorter Term 2 highlights include the senior 15 a-side rugby seasons, the U13 World School Games (WSG) Event in Dubai, a trip to Muscat for the inaugural U19 British School Middle East (BSME) competition and our Primary and Secondary Sports Days. The Sports Days for both the Primary and Secondary Schools were a showcase of our school spirit which is central to our wonderful House System. One pleasing aspect of the Sports Days was witnessing the role that our Student Sports Leaders undertook, supporting younger students and peers alike in involving themselves fully in the range of events on offer. Our Sports Leaders are currently working through their Youth Sport Trust Award and their input into the Sports Days proved what mature and caring young people they are. All of our sports were in full swing in Term 2 before their premature end with rugby, football and netball teams doing daily battle with teams from other schools. The ‘Team of the Year’ awards from the Primary and Secondary School were both deservedly awarded to Netball teams, highlighting how strong girls’ sport is across the school. Our girls’ football teams and rugby programme is developing and it is extremely rewarding to see so many strong female sporting role models across the school.
Our Multi Sport Elite squads have again proved to be a pillar of our elite programme with both the WSG U13 team and BSME U19 teams competing to extremely high standards across their competition weekends. The highlight had to be the BSME U19 squad being crowned champions in Muscat at the inaugural older age group competition. We are looking forward to hopefully hosting this event at BSAK next February. As we draw the year to a close, I believe when sport returns to our everyday lives, it will have an essential part to play in reforming the bonds and friendships which tie our community together. So many values we instill in our students through sport have been essential to living in the ‘new norm’ - the new way of life that the students have adapted so well to over the past few months. Perseverance, teamwork, empathy and resilience have been essential for our students in order to gain the maximum from the Distance Learning period. One of the many highlights of this period has been the the imaginative and creative videos sent in each day by our students detailing their PE and Sporting learning at home. I have missed the face to face daily interaction, as we all have, and I am looking forward to seeing them all back in the sporting arena soon. Have a wonderful summer, stay safe and stay active. Kind regards Jonathan Coombs Director of Sport
PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS - TERM 2
PRIMARY SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR Girls
OLIVIA Year 6 Cambridge
The Nominees Cassady L. - Netball , Football & BSME Darcey W. - Swimming, Netball, Football & BSME Olivia G. - Netball, Football & BSME ABOUT OLIVIA Olivia is extremely passionate about Netball. Her obvious enthusiasm and dedication to the Netball programme at BSAK has been outstanding. Olivia should be proud of her individual and team performances throughout the year - her shooting skills have been particularly impressive. As a result of her efforts during training sessions, school fixtures and whilst competing for Capital Netball, her confidence and skills have improved tremendously. Olivia demonstrated her team ethic and leadership skills as captain to the Under 11 Netball team and as a result of her hard work, reliability and consistency, led the squad in winning 7 out of 7 of their ADISSA league fixtures. Olivia will do her best in every situation and her application to sport at BSAK has been second to none. I know that her conscientious and diligent approach to sport will continue in the future. Olivia is an accomplished defensive Football player and was an integral part of the League and Cup winning U11 Girls Football Squad. She is always willing to give her best in training and fixtures. She often selflessly played out of position for the good of the team, displaying an amazing attitude both on and off the pitch. Olivia was also a key member of the U11 BSME Games Squad and would have been pivotal in the range of sports across the weekend before the games were unfortunately cancelled. Robert Kirkland Head of Primary PE
PRIMARY SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR Boys
HARRY Year 6 Sapphire
The Nominees \
Adnan D. - Football, Swimming & BSME Munachi O. - Football, Swimming & BSME Harry S. - Football, Swimming & BSME ABOUT HARRY Harry captained the U11 Football Squad this year and led the team throughout the league campaign and trip to Bahrain. He always works hard during training and matches, covering as much ground as possible to help out his teammates. Both his technical skills and tactical awareness are outstanding. Harry captained the U11 ADISSA Games Boys Squad, leading the team in the pool, on the football pitch and on the athletics track to be crowned overall champions on the day. His drive and determination, willingness to commit 100% to every aspect of the competition, coupled with a never giving up attitude allowed him to lead by example and inspire others to victory. Harry has co-captained the BSAK Primary Swim Squad, acting as a role model to younger swimmers across two terms. His performances both in and out of the pool were instrumental in BSAK winning five ADISSA Swimming Galas. One of Harry’s undoubted qualities was that he was always willing to put the needs of the team first ahead of his own, often swimming in strokes that were not his strongest so others could perform theirs. Harry was a key member of the U11 BSME Games Squad and would have been pivotal in the range of sports across the weekend before the games were unfortunately cancelled. Robert Kirkland Head of Primary PE
SECONDARY SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR Girls
METTE Year 13
The Nominees \
Cora B. - Netball, Rugby, Football & BSME Nour ElA. - Netball, Rugby, Football & BSME Cassandra G. - UAE Netball Representative Shamsa Al M. - Football & BSME Captain Mette D H - Double Distinction BTEC Sport & Swimming
ABOUT METTE Outstanding swimmer, Mette, has won numerous titles and she is the holder of a number of our school records. Other titles and records she holds are as follows: 3 BSME Swimming Records; 2 Medals at the Middle East Championships; 5 Belgian National Titles; Belgium Club Record Title; 1st Place Emirates International Swim Championships and 5 Times Swimmer of the Year Winner. She has been an amazing swim captain and has led the Senior Swim Squad to success. She is a role model and conducts herself with maturity at all times. She is always there to support others and has been a massive help to myself with the Senior Swim Squad. She has the ability to motivate and organise younger members of the team. Mette is always happy to swim any race to allow other BSAK swimmers to compete in their preferred race. She is fully deserving of this award and as a school we wish Mette all the success in the future. Paul Sewill Year 7HY & Head of Secondary PE
SECONDARY SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR Boys
ALEXANDER Year 13
The Nominees \
Milo B. - Rugby & Football Johnathan G. - Rugby, Football & BSME Alexander D. - Rugby & Swimming Abdulla Al D. - Football, UAE Football Captain & PE Alexander G. - Rugby, Football, BSME & Leadership Marcus DJ. - Rugby & Football Richard T. - Football & BSME Monty S. - Cycling ABOUT ALEX Alex is an incredible athlete and is a member of the school's Football, Rugby and BSME teams. As a BSAK sports representative, he has been an integral member to a number of league and cup winning teams. He is very hard working and adopts a diligent approach to his training and diet. Alex is an exceptional young man and has the ability to motivate the people around him. He has the mentality of a professional athlete. Many sports performers have the ability to compete, but do not have the self discipline to conduct themself like an elite performer, making the right choices at the right time. Alex is only one of a handful of athletes who always makes the correct decisions in terms of diet, nutrition, hydration and ensuring he is able compete at his maximal level. Due to this Alex always has consistently good performances in both Rugby & Football. He has been an outstanding sporting ambassador for BSAK and I hope to see continued sporting endeavours in the future. Alex is a true role model and someone the younger students at BSAK should aspire to be like. I am extremely proud of the athlete and the man he has become. Paul Sewill Year 7HY & Head of Secondary PE
PRIMARY SPORTS SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR
U11 NETBALL
Meet the Team: Shamsa / Aaliya / Olivia / Cara / Cassady Darcey / Norelle / Amelia / Bella / Skye / Ella Maia / Isabel
Coaches Victoria Bolger & Elaine Rawlings
SEASON AND ACHIEVEMENTS It has been an absolute pleasure to coach the Under 11s this term alongside Mrs. Rawlings. The girls went from strength to strength in the ADISSA league and it was great to see their skills develop, along with their ability to work as a team. The Under 11A Netball team won 7 out of 7 of their ADISSA League ďŹ xtures convincingly and they should all be extremely proud of their individual performances and of the way they played and supported each other as a squad. All of the girls demonstrated amazing progress throughout the season. Our shooters really contributed to the overall success of the team - they were so accurate. The team was extremely coachable and they always trained hard and played smart - they truly did deserve to win the league overall. Unfortunately, they did not get a chance to play their End of Season Tournament but well done to all of the girls that were involved in the Netball season this year. I look forward to watching you all develop your skills and gameplay further. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to coach you all again at some point in the future. Victoria Bolger Head of Netball
SECONDARY SPORTS SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR
U19 NETBALL
Meet the Team: Cora / Amber / Holly / Sophie / Zeinah Alice / Cassandra / Nour / Sakeena
Coach Victoria Bolger
SEASON AND ACHIEVEMENTS The Under 19 Netball team enjoyed an immaculate season this year. Although a short league, they won all of their games comprehensively. As well as winners of the ADISSA league, they were also winners of the End of Season Tournament and they should all be proud of their individual and team performances and achievements. The attitude of every single player and their training ethic has been exceptional this year. They are all inspiring role models for our younger students and their gameplay and on court management have developed immensely. This has been further supported with many girls enjoying the opportunity to play in the Adult League at Capital Netball. With this trajectory of development, I encourage some of the girls to pursue international honors in the future. For those girls that are leaving BSAK, I wish you the best of luck and I hope you continue on with your sporting endeavours in the future. Victoria Bolger Head of Netball
