2 minute read
A Sporting Spirit
Sport report by Mr Evan Stewart
The PGS 2019-20 sporting season, like many things here at school took on a very different look. The year began with no indoor PE or Games lessons permitted but thankfully the weather was kind, and this allowed all years to enjoy a return to movement and physical education in the sun at both Govenor's Green and Hilsea. The inability to safely play fixtures with other schools meant the Saturday Sporting programme also took on a new guise. This allowed over 350 pupils to regularly take part in training and internal matches across the first two terms. It was amazing to see so many pupils taking part in Rugby, Hockey and Netball, gaining a much-needed break from the stresses of COVID regulations.
Lockdowns of various fashion came and went but the PGS Sporting spirit remained and even when face to face training was not possible our pupils took part in online classes in CrossFit, Dance, Strava Running Challenges and Yoga to mention just a few. The highlights saw over 200 families in the PGS community take on the Family 3 and 5 kilometre challenges and enter a time online for these events. Another major highlight saw PGS Sport named in the Schools Sports Magazines "Top 200 Sporting Schools" ,as well as the Cricketer Magazines "Top 50 Cricket Schools" in the country.
PGS like many schools were delighted to see the return of competitive fixtures in the Summer Term. Initially these fixtures began with cricket and ran alongside internal sport and training for Athletics and Tennis. Although the very poor weather caused many fixtures to be postponed or cancelled, we did manage to ensure all teams played at least one fixture in the first half term. It was particularly pleasing to see the Year 7s and many Year 8s play their first competitive game for the school since joining. Another highlight saw 1st XI player Will Parvin take 5 wickets including a hat trick in his first game this season. Athletics restarted with a superb trip to the Millfield where the Year 9 and 10 teams represented PGS Sport with distinction. All teams placed in the Top 3 schools at the event which included schools such as Millfield, Clifton College and Blundell's School.
The second half of term saw the U12 and U14 boys cricket sides progress to the semi finals of the Hampshire Cup while the U13 and U15 sides reached the finals. The U15s were successful in their final against Winchester and went on to the regional finals with victories over Sherbourne and Millfield School, before losing very narrowly to a strong Bradfield side with only a few balls remaining. Girl's cricket continues to grow here at PGS Sport with our U14 and U15 girl's sides taking part in hard ball matches for the first time. We very much look forward to continuing this progress next year and beyond.
The final week of term saw an amazing five sports days take place at HMS Temeraire to ensure each Year Group had the opportunity to finish the year on sporting high. We look forward to next year with optimism of a return to a more traditional Saturday Sports programme but we have learnt so much from the year that's been.
Evan Stewart, Director of Sport
