Heartlands Acadmey Sports Report Issue 5 November 2012

PE REPORT ISSUE 5

the legacy heartlands responds

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elcome back to the 2012-2013 sporting year, a year tipped to be our best ever. The legacy of the Olympics and Paralympics will live on at Heartlands. Our target is to inspire and nurture our students (you) to strive to achieve excellence in sport, and represent their sport at high levels. We want to build 2020 – 2024 Olympic athletes of the future.

Did you know that 50% of our Olympic Athletes come from private education, and that this only equates to 8% of the whole nation?

What this means is that there is far more sporting talent in the UK than is currently being discovered and nurtured. As PE teachers, we see many students who have natural talent and ability and we believe, that with proper guidance and encouragement, there is no reason why they shouldn’t go on to compete at a national level. Some may even represent the nation at an international level.

The sporting activities currently on offer at Heartlands Academy are due to undergo a radical change, with more focus on Olympic sports rather than the more traditional ones.

The countdown to the start of these new sports has already begun.

Highlights of 2011-12: • Winners of the E-ACT Games competitions.

• The Academy received awards for their work achieved in PE. • Students became Olympic game makers.

• Our first ever Sports Awards Evening to celebrate the sporting achievements of our students.

Now let’s see what 2012-13 will bring!

Miss Morris

Can you be a part of the action for this academic year?

Can you be invited to the Sports Awards 2012-2013?

5th November 2012

My Olympic Experience - volunteering

Arshad Hussain

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hen we were first told of our role and events, there was a sense of exclusivity, amongst other emotions of anxiety and a sense of the unknown. After many meetings which were held early in the morning or at weekends, our commitment remained consistent and for the time we had invested we reaped the reward of greater opportunity. In the end it was well worth it. When the day came, I was late for the minibus but disaster was avoided by Mrs. Jones who kindly provided the funds for me to go via train. The many journeys from Birmingham to London was a great time for socialising with friends, each person presented themselves in bright colours of joy and fun, and we all enjoyed each others’ company.

My first official days at the Paralympics were overwhelming: from entering the Premier Hotel to the two minute walk to the Excel Stadium. The Premier Hotel,

Heartlands Academy arranged for a group of sixth formers to apply to be Games Maker volunteers at the Paralympic Table Tennis. The students went through a lengthy process of application and interview.

They then travelled down to London for training about the role prior to the Olympic start. actually felt ‘premier’, especially the cute chocolate chip muffins which were the best thing about every morning - so sweet and delicious, I still miss them. We would awake at 5:40am, just to eat all you can eat breakfast for two hours, before starting our shifts for table tennis.

Upon arrival at the stadium security would let us pass, which gave me a sense of importance and added to the excitement of the day. Then on to our meeting point where

we were briefed about our positions and roles. When we went out to the court I had quite an adrenaline rush as there were large crowds from several countries. The GB supporters were the loudest. I was on many of the GB matches, so loud roars made me nervous of making a mistake, especially since I didn’t know the scoring rules. There was one match which I thought the best overall: China vs. Germany, where China was 4-10 down but eventually came up to 12-10. I mean what a comeback. Even the umpire was in shock, as he told us in a conversation after the match. He also told us how he became a referee. Overall, I believe this match was the highlight of all my experience and moments in the Paralympics.

Our last day was a misery, as I was already missing it knowing we were leaving early in the morning. To be honest this

event and experience has been the highlight of 2012. I’ll be sure to tell my friends and family of my experiences from the beginning to the end. Every moment spent during the Paralympics was unforgettable and I shall cherish the memory for many years to come.

I just want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity, as I appreciate the joy that I received from it. THANK YOU.

Anita Chan

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aralysed with fear and anxiety, I was extremely nervous of what I might do wrong, after all, we were yet to receive official training and our shifts were due to start in only a few hours’ time.

Fortunately, upon arrival we were told exactly what to do and where to go. Not long after, we officially started our shifts.

For my first match I was by myself, which was nerve-racking but great fun. I made a few mistakes but I was sure the audience didn’t notice. By the end of the day I knew exactly what I needed to do and felt more confident. This concluded our 3pm-9pm shift, and we were able to go back to the hotel and rest, however, the next shift started the next day at 9am, meaning we only had twelve hours to rest and prepare ourselves again.

Overwhelmed by the first day, feeling tired but excited for the day ahead, we walked through the doors of the Excel Centre confident that we were able to perform. However, due to the absence of a few Games Makers, we were all suddenly promoted to assistants! This was a fantastic start to the day but it also meant that the nerves crept back again. To my relief, being an assistant wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be and we soon got the hang of it.

In between shifts, we managed to rest as well as seeing a few events! We watched Judo and Powerlifting, the atmosphere in the audience was phenomenal and everyone chanted on the GB team as one.

We all became friendly with other Games Makers and suddenly volunteering at the Paralympics Games actually felt like our real jobs.

Probably the best job we’ll ever have.

Even though the time was short, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. Once again, I’d like to thank Mrs Jones, Mr V, Mr Lea and the P.E department for providing me with such amazing opportunity!

Thank you very much!

Fahima Ali Mohamed

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y first shift – scary! I got my uniform and accreditation yaay! The venue was absolutely amazing, backstage was really hectic as all the games makers had to be assigned to their roles. I was really nervous that I would mess up in front of the whole world!

However, one of the head leaders of the table tennis event gave us all a pep talk before we went out which put me at ease.

Once I got out there it was a piece of cake!

The next couple of days we got to see other events such as power lifting (we saw a Nigerian athlete break a world record), Judo and volleyball and we had a tour around Central London.

On our last day I was really gutted to leave because I had enjoyed every single moment of volunteering at the Paralympics. The whole atmosphere was fantastic, everyone was so friendly and supportive and I got to meet to the players, umpires, line managers and others from all around the world - and all of them gave me encourgement telling me what a brilliant job I was doing.

It was so inspiring to see how the players were dedicated to achieving their goals.

The experience has encouraged me to carry on volunteering.

My Olympic Experience - spectating As a result of winning the E-ACT games, Heartlands Academy was given some Olympic Basketball tickets and a small group were able to travel down to the Olympic park for the day to watch two Basketball games. They even got to sit on the famous grass in front of the big screen to watch Chris Hoy take the gold medal.

watched the cycling, where Sir Chris Hoy won gold for Great Britain in the team pursuit.

He certainly didn’t disappoint all the fans watching. That was just one of the many high points of the day.

Everything in the Olympic Park was bigger than I expected and I felt privileged to be there. Just being at the Olympic Park was a surreal experience. It was also my first time in London which added even more excitement to the day.

Going to the London 2012 Olympic Games was certainly one the biggest highlights in my life so far and I will never forget it.

Lewis Higgins

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hat a day we had at the London 2012 Olympics Games. Davon, Sikiru, Mr Williams, Mr Ewart and I all had a fantastic day and enjoyed every moment of it.

We travelled down to the Olympic Park to watch the basketball. We watched Argentina v Tunisia and also the Russia v Brazil basketball matches. Both games were great to watch, especially the Russia v Brazil which had a nerve racking finale in which Russia won by a single point in the final seconds.

When we had finished watching the basketball games we went outside and sat on the grass by the park’s live TV screens. We

Interview: Rhizwahn Harris

Can you please explain why we are interviewing you today?

I have got into the regional squad for basketball with the City of Birmingham basketball club and then I have gone onto the West Midlands team from that.

How did you feel when you found out you made it to where you are?

At first I felt a bit scared and apprehensive, but when I began training I understood it would be okay.

Did you make friends?

Yes. I had to in order to play basketball as they would be on my team so I would have to work with them.

Did Heartlands Academy help you get to where you are in terms of basketball? If so, how?

Yes because it helped me to develop team skills through my P.E. lessons, as we did various sports where I had to work in a team, like when we play football and are put into teams.

Do you have any basketball idols?

My basketball idols are Lebron James and Kobe Bryant, because they are star players and are the best in the world. Also, Lebron James is in The Miami Heats which is the team I support.

Have you always enjoyed basketball?

No. I didn’t like it at first but my friend S.K introduced me to it at the sports centre we attend and he advised me to go to the City of Birmingham basketball club.

Where do you hope to be in 5 years’ time?

In 5 years’ time I hope to be in America due to getting scouted and then hopefully I will be in the N.B.A playing as a star player.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting Basketball?

To work hard at Basketball whenever possible and to never give up at what is achievable, I did that and it has got me very far.

Rhizwahn Harris, YOU’VE BEEN TWINIFIED! Aisha & Asheka Johnson, Year 9 FIXTURES 1 Nov

Girls’ Netball

Y7

v Aston Manor

7 Nov

Boys’ Football

Y11

v Saltley

12 Nov

Girls’ Netball

Y9

County Tournament

13 Nov

Girls’ Netball

Y8 & 9 (Bs)

v Hamstead Hall

20 Nov

Girls’ Netball

Y8 & 9 (As)

v Hamstead Hall

21 Nov

Girls’ Netball

Y8 & 9 (As)

v St Paul’s

27 Nov

Girls’ Netball

Y7

v George Dixon

27 Nov

Girls’ Netball

Y8 & 9 (As)

v George Dixon

On 16th October the PE department took a group of 30 pupils to Old Trafford to watch Manchester United take on Braga.

Pupils were delighted to take in the atmosphere of a live Champions League game, even more so when Manchester United came back from a poor 0-2 down to score three goals and win the match 3-2.

Two goals from Javier Hernandez and one from Jonny Evans secured the three points for Manchester United who were decidedly shaky in the first half. Nevertheless, Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Javier Hernandez all played much to the delight of the Heartlands students.

Mr Lea

RESULTS - GIRLS’ NETBALL Year 8 & 9 As Aston Manor As Aston Manor Bs Year 8 & 9 Bs St John Wall As Holt Aston Manor As Aston Manor Bs

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RESULTS - BOYS’ FOOTBALL Year7 Hodge Hill Stockland Green Washwood Heath Year 8 Washwood Heath Stockland Green Hodge Hill Year 9 Hodge Hill Cardinal Wiseman Year 10 Hodge Hill Washwood Heath Year 11 Hodge Hill

Heartlands Academy • No 10 Great Francis Street • Birmingham B7 4QR • www.heartlands-academy.org.uk

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