The House flags were flying proudly on May 24, when Sir Howard Stringer (Ldr 1960) opened the School’s new athletics track for Sports Day.
The programme for this year’s Sports Day followed a new format planned by James Ingle, Head of Athletics, and Danny Grewcock, Director of Sport. With each pupil only able to compete in one track, one field and two relays, team selection required tactical and technical skills. Fifty-six track events, including up to seven runners per relay, and 45 field events, engaged pupils from every year and from every House, giving pupils across the School the opportunity to exhibit their athletic prowess.
Refreshment carts with burgers and ice cream kept the competitors and keen spectators fuelled during the afternoon.
Awards were presented by Sir Howard and the Head, with the coveted House trophies for best overall performances being presented to Sanderson and Grafton.
One week later, one of the School’s most promising runners, Archie Parkinson (L) gave an outstanding individual performance at the British Milers Club PB Classic at Milton Keynes. His third place finish in the 1500 with a time of 3:55:62 has ranked him 2nd nationally in U17 events.
Following on from the JM Mills Cricket Pavilion, which opened in 2015, the athletics track, with its own pavilion hub, is one of the major projects to be completed in the School’s Sports MasterPlan. Other new developments include two Astros, eight tennis courts and six outdoor netball show courts which are all socketed.
For further information about the Sports MasterPlan, and to view videos about the projects under construction, click HERE.
