WOMEN'S SPORT WEEK- 1st-7th June

Women’s Sport Week

This week (1^st-7^th June) is the inaugural Women’s Sport Week which aims to celebrate, raise awareness and increase the profile of women’s sport.

Amy in her England kit.

It is fitting that this week Congleton High School celebrated the achievements of year 10 student Amy Rodgers after she represented England Under-15 Ladies against the Netherlands last week. Amy received the call-up to the national side having impressed the England coaches with her performances for Everton. She becomes the second year 10 girl to win a cap for the Three Lions with Hollie Massey also representing England on a number of occasions. Hollie also had a memorable experience last week when she played at Old Trafford after a successful season playing for Manchester United’s under-15 girls team.  

Girls sport at CHS has not only increased in participation but also excelled in achievement in recent years. Perhaps the highlight being the under 13 girls football team in May 2013 when they were crowned Premier League champions after winning the Premier League Schools’ Tournament at Anfield. A year later, the team reached the semi-final of the ESFA Cup, narrowly losing to eventual winners of the national competition St. Bede’s in front of an incredible 350 spectators at Congleton Town Football Club. This year the under-16 girls were the only CHS team to reach the last 16 of the ESFA Cup.

There has also been success this year in netball, with CHS dominating the local netball leagues and competitions including the year 8, year 9 and under-18 girls being crowned South Cheshire Netball champions.

There has been further success for girls in athletics, hockey, trampolining, indoor rowing and rounders.

Other individuals to mention who have recorded outstanding achievements in sport are Jenna Baxter in taekwondo and Megan Sheard in athletics and swimming. Jenna, who won the Daniel Sturridge rising star award at last year’s Sports Award Evening, competes internationally for Great Britain in taekwondo. She is definitely someone who girls can take inspiration from through her determined, focussed and driven mentality. Despite studying at CHS’ sixth form, she still finds enough time for her intense training regime, which has seen her become one of the world’s best and a real contender for an Olympic medal in the future. Megan is an all round athlete and also competes nationally in swimming.

Amy, Hollie, Jenna and Megan are just a few of the many girls at CHS who have achieved great things in sport. If you know someone who deserves recognition for a sporting achievement either inside or outside school then email me at 34ch2936@congletonhigh.com.

Written by Adam Bailey