Sport
SPORT
This year was like no other before, and the pandemic required great patience and perseverance. In September we wondered if there would be a chance to play any matches against other schools in the Autumn Term. Little did we know it would not be until May that inter-school fixtures would begin again. During the first term, we played LOTS of football in our games sessions. Within our year group bubbles, we played regular internal games, tournaments and House matches, and saw a significant improvement in the overall skill levels. In November, we moved to rugby and found that not only were we unable to compete against other schools, we were not even allowed to ruck, maul, scrum or tackle. As a result, we focused on our fitness and passing skills, doing drills, practices, playing tag and touch We were fortunate to have regular input from a number of top RFU coaches who worked with our JKS coaching staff to help the boys reach a higher level of handling skills than in any previous year. January saw a new term and sadly a whole new period of online learning. It wasn’t until the beginning of March that we could get back to school and by this time we were on to hockey. The boys relished the opportunity to be back to sport once more. Then came summer when – at last – we were able to play other schools once more. The thrill and excitement of representing the school again was incredible. In addition to our traditional team sports we were able to enjoy some fabulous sporting House events. The inter-house Cross Country event in October was a great afternoon of fun, vigour, determination and endurance, the eventual winners being Macaws. We also had a fabulous Sports Day, which saw every child running their hearts out for their House. The results on the day were 1st Macaws. 2nd Kakas. 3rd Keas and 4th Cockas. We have made the most of our disjointed year but look forward with enormous excitement and anticipation to a whole new year of sport ahead as we seek to build on all the skills we have learnt in this past year. Mr Jamieson, Director of Sport
What a year it has been for everyone! Who would have thought that the matches fifteen months ago, in March 2020, would have been the last representative sport in which the Girls’ Games Department could take part? Certainly not me… With that said, I am delighted that we have been able to resume matches during the latter stages of this summer term in both tennis and cricket. Although we have faced unprecedented times, I would also like to think of this time as an opportunity. We have been able to focus our attention on developing fitness, technical skills, tricks, penalty strokes and shuffle competitions, as well as all sorts of inter-year-group matches. Whilst we would have addressed some of these areas in a normal year, having an increased amount of time on the training field has allowed all the girls to fine-tune their skills. By working in year group bubbles, it has also provided the chance for the girls to play with others that perhaps they would not normally. This has had a hugely positive impact on so many, picking up skills from the more experienced players and allowing for far greater leadership to shine through. All in all, I can see many positives from this year. It has been lovely to see the joy that the return of fixtures brought to all our teams. Seeing excited young sportswomen waiting for oppositions to arrive, re-establishing friendships with local schools, getting on the bus to travel to an away match, reading a match report and quite simply enjoying the buzz that sport brings to us all has been truly heart-warming. I congratulate all the girls for their perseverance and commitment this year; it will certainly be a year we all remember! Finally, I would like to thank the Girls’ Games staff for their ongoing commitment and dedication to the girls. It has been a hugely demanding year, but, as ever, they have gone above and beyond to ensure the pupils have had a great sporting experience. I wish all of our leavers the very best for the future and wish them well for their sporting careers. Miss Scott‑Kilvert, Head of Girls’ Games
The Chronicle 2020-21 | 83
