Sport Update

On Friday 31st March, the Year 9 tourists arrived in Barbados ready for the start of their tour. During the week, the boys participated in cricket and football matches, as well as having a tennis session at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex. With the temperature at 30 degrees, blue sky and the beach nearby, it was the perfect setting for a Sports Tour.

The football teams had the privilege of playing on the same pitch as the Barbados National team. In the first game they played under floodlights and had professional referees and assistant referees to officiate. After these matches we met up with Emmerson Boyce (an FA Cup winner with Wigan) who is now the Technical Director of Barbados Football.

The cricket teams played some competitive matches against schools and local clubs and despite the results not going their way, the boys had a great time socialising with the local children. Whilst travelling to the matches, the boys had the opportunity to see the local countryside and sites.

The boys were fortunate that Dale Clarke, the CEO of Professional Road tennis (a traditional Barbados Sport), arranged a Road Tennis coaching session with Julian White, who is a former World Number 1 and Coach Birkett, who has coached the sport for over thirty years. The boys thoroughly enjoyed this experience and are looking forward to playing it again.

In terms of excursions, the group had a day on a catamaran, where we sailed around the island and then had the opportunity to snorkel with turtles, manta rays and fish, as well as snorkelling around a shipwreck. We stopped for a while so the boys could jump and dive into the sea and swim to the local beach. The group had the opportunity to watch Notre Dame v The University Blackbirds in a Premier League Football Match. It was a very entertaining match which the Blackbirds won 3-1. One evening was spent at Ositins Fish Fry restaurant, where the boys could choose to eat fresh fish. The choices were swordfish, marlin, tuna, barracunda, lobster or mahimahi.

The boys represented the school incredibly well, they all had a fantastic time and have made memories that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Sport Update

After our winter cricket programme finishing, which started back in October, we have finally commenced our official cricket season this week. Bowling, fielding and batting skills, smallsided matches and tactical concepts have all been explored in the PE/Games lessons and after-school training. Year 6 pupils have also had the added choice of tennis in their Games lessons, whilst all other Prep year groups will participate in tennis and athletics (plus golf for Year 6), later in their PE lessons. The hour-long swimming lessons continue as normal. The U11A side have their first round of the Surrey Cup against Downsend tomorrow with all other matches starting next week.

During

Men's Tennis Group

ESTA is delighted to introduce a Men's Group to its programme running on Wednesdays at 7:458:45pm!

Sessions will take place at St Teresa's for 9 weeks from 3rd May until the end of term. Players should be of an intermediate standard.

If you are interested, please contact Kirsti at esta@effinghamschools.org or on 07980 604372.

May Half Term Tennis Camp

We are excited to be running a tennis camp at ESTA from Tuesday 30th May-Friday 2nd June.

Please note the timings as follows:

9-12pm Years 2-4

9-12pm Performance Camp (invitational)

1-4pm Years 5&6

1-4pm Years 7-11

Camp days are priced at £39 per player with a 10% discount for the full week option.

Please contact Kirsti to sign up or for more details at esta@effinghamschools.org

Open Event at ESTA - Sunday 14th May

There is still time to sign up to our drills and skills event on Sunday 14th May! This is a FREE event open to all players from Years 2-11 and is a great opportunity to get on court and have a hit with our fabulous coaches. There will be a BBQ running at the clubhouse for players and parents to enjoy!

Please note the timings as follows:

11-12pm Years 7-11

12-1pm Years 2-6 *We are delighted to open this event up to Year 2 players!*

To sign your child up, please contact Kirsti at esta@effinghamschools.org by Friday 5th May.

Thought for the week:

Message from our Chaplaincy Team