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THE SPORTS AWARDS EVENING 6.15pm
Doors Open
7.00pm
Award Ceremony starts Welcome Musical Celebration Sports Personality Nominee Review Swimming Awards Netball, and Football Awards Golf and Cricket Awards
8.30pm
Half-time - Dinner and Quiz
9.00pm
PE and Sport Awards UAE v Europe - Reflection on the game Rugby Awards BSME and World School Games Awards Special Recognition Awards
9.45pm
Sports Personality of the Year
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
The player who has excelled across the season, produced the most consistent performances and impacted positively on others.
BEST ATTITUDE
The player who has shown dedication and commitment to their team which goes above and beyond just being a member of the team.
DREAM TEAM MEMBER
Students who across the Secondary School, have been selected by the Heads of Sport to create the perfect team combination if all Students could play in one team.
SPECIAL AWARDS
The final awards of the evening are to acknowledge and celebrate Students who have excelled as sporting role models throughout the year.
HEADMASTER'S REVIEW MARK LEPPARD MBE ‘It’s not the will to win that matters- everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters’ This inspirational quote from Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant, an American college football player and coach, famed for leading the University of Alabama on a record winning streak, really sums up the BSAK approach to sport. The hours our sportsmen and sportswomen, our coaches and our parents put in to ensure all preparations are in place and undertaken are key to why BSAK has a highly successful sports programme. This success is evident at the hundreds of fixtures and tournaments we play. It is evident from our GCSE PE and BTEC Sport science academic results and it is evident in the culture of sport we exemplify on a daily basis. Our amazing Director of Sport, Mr Johnny Coombs has asked me to draw upon some special moments from, the extensive BSAK sporting calendar. This task alone is not a simple as once again, BSAK experienced so many successes in the sporting arena. For me, school sport is about creating opportunities for students to participate and compete. This may be within a PE lesson, a House Competition, in school fixtures or on the international stage. I am very proud that there are a multitude of levels in which our students can compete, ensuring we strike the fine balance between mass participation and elite competition. It takes a special PE Department to achieve this and the BSAK team really have mastered it There are many wonderful memories I have of the year. The highlights include playing Millfield School at rugby, our swim teams winning every gala, our U16 Girls football team winning the treble (Leagues/Cup/ BSAK 7s), the U9 and U11 teams crowned as ADISSA Champions, the U13 squad winning the World School Games on first entry, both boys and girls teams making the Dubai 7s semi-finals, being the only school to play in Dubai Rugby League to ensure high quality opposition for our teams, block fixtures against JESS, DC and DESC involving over 100 students each time, BSME individual Golf Champion, U12 and U16 Girls BSAK 7s Football winners, ADISSA Athletic champions, BSME U15 winners for 3rd straight year, entering former student teams for netball and rugby at the Dubai 7s for the first time and U13 BSME runners up. We have had a brilliant year and at the Awards, you will see how much more has been achieved. However, a moment that stands out for me was a new event created by our student body. The 6th Form, in the Year of Zayed and in BSAK Golden Anniversary Year, organised a UAE v Europe football match. To me it does not matter who won, although I am sure to the players, at the time it did. To me the spirit in which the game was played and the camaraderie demonstrated immediately the final whistle was blown highlighted the BSAK sporting spirit: Passionate and at times ferocious during the match, respectful, gracious and humble at the end. This is what sport means to me and I am so proud to see it on a daily basis at BSAK. It is this culture that shapes our legacy.
NOMINATIONS TEAM OF THE YEAR U13 WORLD SCHOOL GAMES SQUAD The BSAK students came together as an absolutely fantastic team over the 3-day competition and represented BSAK with pride. Each and every member of the team showed dedication, determination and resilience. There were some fantastic individual successes in the athletics, football and swimming but what enabled BSAK to become Under 13 World School Games Champions was their teamwork. They fought for every single point in every single event and match. It was this outstanding effort that led them to victory by just ten points.
SECONDARY SWIM SQUAD
With so many of our swimmers decorated in honours tonight and swimming in national championships it is not hard to see how our swim programme has continued to flourish this year. Domestically winning every Gala in Abu Dhabi and competing in both the end of season ADISSA and BSME championships with swimmers picking up a raft of medals and individual honours throughout. Mrs Bowery is incredibly proud of the team and their enthusiasm and effort throughout the season.
U16 GIRLS FOOTBALL
This team has a very talented group of girls, arguably the best in the UAE. They comfortably won their League, Cup & BSAK 7s. It is rare to have such a high number of gifted female football players in one team and for them to gel so well together as a unit. Coach Mr Carr has led the team this year and stated, “the team was a pleasure to coach throughout the season and there are so many highlights and performances it is impossible to pick one”
U14 BOYS RUGBY
The most decorated of teams in our rugby programme this year, winning all domestic trophies in Abu Dhabi and competing in Dubai winning the plate final at the DC 10s a great achievement just missing out on the main competition. A very talented group of players and Mr Thomas is looking forward to seeing them develop through the age groups.
U16 GIRLS NETBALL
The Under 16s were fantastic this year and won all 7 of their games in the league and they were also tournament winners. Many of the players have committed to playing additional netball with teams in the Abu Dhabi Netball League. This experience has really brought on their skills and match play. Participation for this age group was excellent and we even had a B team for some fixtures.
REFLECTION A YEAR IN SPORT JOHNNY COOMBS DIRECTOR OF SPORT
It has been another incredible year for Sport and Physical Education at BSAK. The only problem I have is where to start for my highlights and review of the action. I am not sure how the students and staff have packed so much into a year; it is truly astonishing and inspires me every day. One of our biggest events and annual achievements is the BSAK 7s Series. This year, we hosted both rugby and netball in the first term and football in the second. The tournament is now embedded as one of the highlights of all UAE schools' sporting calendar. Giving our teams this exposure to different levels of competition from around the Gulf is one of the major benefits of these competitions. It allows our students to better themselves against different schools and clubs. The most important motivation for me is bringing the community together and it is great to see parents, staff and students working together to produce such stirring sporting spectacles. I am so proud to say that our BSME U15 team achieved an unprecedented feat of retaining the overall title for the third year running, making BSME history. No other school has achieved this since the creation of the BSME organisation. After a testing first day, the team came back strongly with a first place finish in athletics, boys’ football and a top three finish in netball to secure the silverware. BSME successes continued throughout the year with strong performances in the U13 BSME which saw the team finish second. At the BSME Netball, the U15s were runners-up. The annual Dubai 7s weekend saw not two, but four BSAK teams travel along the Sheikh Zayed Road to compete in the blue and white stripes with enormous travelling support. The 50th Anniversary started a tradition of entering an Alumni team into both the rugby and netball competitions. The students battled their way through to the semi-final stages where unfortunately, both teams lost. This was coupled with a strong performance from the Old Boys and Girls teams. Alongside the 7s, the rugby programme continued to develop throughout the year where our teams won every domestic ADISSA trophy across the age groups. The creation of a second team and a strong coaching team throughout the year groups has really helped the students to progress and improve their core skills. This is what we strive to give our students here at BSAK, opportunities for growth and development. Our aquatics programme continued to dominate. We won every gala on offer at both Primary and Secondary level, making it three years in a row without a defeat. The school's swimming reputation continues to grow outside of Abu Dhabi, with strong performances in the BSME Championships and many of the school's swimmers going on to compete in their country’s national championships. March saw an inspirational 'World Champions' crown being awarded to our U13 team squad competing in the World School Games for the first time in Dubai. This was an immensely proud moment for the students, parents and coaches involved.
REFLECTION A YEAR IN SPORT Alongside the core sports, the students have thrived in opportunities to compete in golf, cricket and athletics throughout the year. The inaugural ADISSA Athletics meet saw BSAK crowned champions with the 24 students competing in a 5 event format. Our cricket teams played both hardball and super 8s versions and the U12s took the league title alongside many great performances throughout the year. The highlight for our golf team was attaining the individual BSME champion award and being involved in a PGA photo-shoot during the HSBC event held here in Abu Dhabi. Netball and football remain at the heart of our programme with our students accessing the sports both in curriculum and co-curricular activities. The football squads competed in ADISSA, DASSA, BSME, BSAK 7s, Du Football and the now famous Varsity event throughout the year with a huge trophy haul attained. One of my personal highlights was the U16 boys' and girls' double at the BSAK 7s event held at the cricket stadium before the Spring break. Our netball programme continues to grow with our older students being valuable role models for the younger students. Our U16 team were the pick of the teams attaining the domestic double and the season is not over yet with a trip to Loughborough to compete in the World Schools Netball Cup beckoning a week after this event. My final and most favourite highlight is the monthly award given to four students who have excelled at either sport or Physical Education throughout that month. I thoroughly enjoyed finding the students to hand out their congratulatory letters and taking them to meet Ms Woulfe to discuss their achievements. Another incredible year has been had and as we draw to a close all of the year's achievements, I know the PE staff are already busy planning the events and opportunities for next year. Have a wonderful summer and well done to all students.
NOMINATIONS SPORTS PERSONALITY NOUR ELATTAR
Nour has represented the U19 football with aplomb, selflessly playing in goal when required, or scoring goals at the other end. Nour has been a mainstay and attributed to the team's success. Joining the rugby programme at the start of the year, her dedication, enthusiasm and willingness to learn are the attributes that make her the player she is. Nour plays with a fearless determination and was an integral member of the 7s Squad who reached the semi-finals at the Dubai 7s. Nour is one of the most coachable athletes in the School and she applies her knowledge and understanding of other games to develop her rugby. As a netballer, Nour has been an outstanding defender for the U19 team, always gives it her best on the court and working tirelessly for her team.
HONEY VASTENHOLT-LEWIS
Honey has simply dominated any football match she has played in. She massively contributed to the U16 success and doubled up to play for the U19 as well. Her ability, whether it be running with the ball, tackling, playing a defence-splitting pass or goal scoring, is without doubt some of the best BSAK have seen. Honey is an outstanding athlete who revelled in the cauldron of girls' rugby. She gives 100% at all times, is quick, skilful and fearless. In attack, she can terrorise defences with her pace, poise and balance and has an impressive scoring record. In defence, she is solid, determined and took great pride in not letting any attacker past her. Honey took her skills from football and transferred them to rugby with both her attacking and defensive kicking demoralising opposing teams.
CASSANDRA GOTTSCHALK
Cassie has been an outstanding goalkeeper for the U16 football team. Whether it be her bravery, shot stopping, or ability to claim crosses. In short, Cassie has excelled at football and is a contributing factor to the U16’s team success. In netball she is a fantastic versatile player who has a huge influence on any team she is part of. Cassie has represented Abu Dhabi in an international tournament and is a qualified umpire, regularly umpiring matches in the Abu Dhabi Netball League. Cassie has swam in every gala, always trains hard and is extremely competitive. She has won many races in the ADISSA league both individually and as part of a relay team. An exceptional GCSE PE student who is hardworking and conscientious.
CAITLIN MASON
In football, Caitlin has been the rock at the heart of the U19 defence. She provides a secure platform for her teammates to attack from. In rugby, Caitlin is a leader both on and off the field. She has been the mainstay of the girls' rugby programme and blazed a trail throughout her time at BSAK. Her skills are second to none, great ball handling, fantastic set play awareness and precision both in attack and defence. She has a feared reputation as being one of the hardest tacklers in UAE rugby. Caitlin’s passion for the game, leadership qualities and dedication make her a pleasure to coach. Caitlin has been an integral part of the U19 netball squad and Abu Dhabi Netball League. She has been a fantastic captain and very versatile on court, always wanting the best for her team.
NOMINATIONS SPORTS PERSONALITY ANGUS HARBAN
Angus is always the first name on a teamsheet. He has been at the heart of the midfield for the BSAK U19 football team. Angus is the platform that allows the team to attack while also providing excellent cover for the defence. His positioning is outstanding and he has scored many timely goals, one being the decisive goal in the Varsity match with Brighton College. One of our only single sport nominees but an exceptional talent.
ETHAN COLLINGS
Ethan has been a central defender for a very successful U16 football team. Under his guidance, the team has remained very strong at the back, but his composure under pressure has also allowed him to bring the ball out of defence with ease. Ethan has the skills to be able to play almost every position in defence and midfield if needed and he has regularly played for the U19 squad. In swimming Ethan has represented BSAK in every gala, winning medals at the ADISSA Championship gala individually and as part of the relay team.
JOSEPH BRAMMER
Joey is exactly what you want from a school rugby captain. Â Â He inspires players around him with dominant, bulldozer performances on the field. Joey is also the heartbeat of the team with a cool demeanor and a person that coaches and players respect in equal measure. He has been a fantastic captain and has left school rugby in a better place than when he got the job.
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