SPORTS AWARDS EVENING - 12th July

Students’ hard work and triumphs recognised during night of sporting celebrations

Another fantastic year of sport for Congleton High School was celebrated this evening in the company of a football legend. Former footballer Cyrille Regis was the evening’s special guest and not only presented the awards, but inspired students as he reflected on his remarkable career and life.

The evening started with a delicious three-course meal for the guests, award winners and their families, provided by Year 10 catering students. After the meal the awards ceremony commenced, which was an opportunity for CHS to celebrate the sporting success of students both inside and outside of school.

Mrs Salt, curriculum team leader for PE, started the evening by giving a brief summary of what has been another “really busy year” for the school’s PE department. She said that there have been “many sporting successes and leadership opportunities” for students that have contributed to the school’s “growing reputation” in the local area in addition to the school being represented both regionally and nationally.

Mrs Salt added that highlights of the year had been the ski trip to France, the recent football and netball tour to Barcelona and finishing runner-up in the School of the Year award at the Everybody Sports Awards. She also revealed exciting plans for the year ahead including the creation of a sport academy combined with improved facilities, including a 3G pitch and a 150 seat stand.

The evening’s special guest was then introduced to the audience who were treated to a video featuring the many highlights and goals Cyrille Regis scored in his illustrious career. The video could have easily been extended by another 20 minutes considering he spent 19 years as a professional footballer, including 16 years in the top-flight, playing over 600 games, scoring 158 goals and representing England on five occasions.

Regis gave students and parents an insight into how football has changed from the 1980s, how he stayed motivated during the many challenges he had to face, including racism. He explained how faith had a huge impact on his life following the death of his friend and teammate Laurie Cunningham and how God has given everybody a gift.

The former footballer certainly knows talent when he sees it having become a football agent after he retired in the late 1990s. His clients include some of the world’s most talented footballers, including the world’s most expensive player Gareth Bale. However, he said that talent alone is not enough to succeed in football and only counts for 10% to 15%, adding that the rest comes from a person’s passion, desire, character, perseverance and attitude.

Students’ commitment, passion and talent for school sport were then recognised with over 120 students presented with awards including Contribution to Sport, Extra Curricular Awards, Player of the Year, Athlete of the Year and Sportsperson of the Year. Within ten minutes of the awards ceremony starting it was evident why Congleton High’s PE department has so much success in a wide range of sports. A number of students were invited to the stage, all of them playing for football academies, competing in sport at county and regional level with some students even competing nationally.

Team of the Year Award

Boys: The boy’s team of the year award went to the year 8 football team. The boys won their league, reached the final of the South Cheshire Cup and represented the school brilliantly on the recent Barcelona tour, not just on the pitch, but also their support for their colleagues from the stands.

One notable performance was their victory over Sandbach when they showed determination to succeed and ultimate resilience to come from two goals behind to beat their local rivals in extra-time.

Girls: It was difficult to choose the winner of the girls ‘Team of the Year Award’ with a number of teams excelling in netball. However, one team stood out with the year 8 netball team performing exceptionally well throughout the year.

They were not only crowned South Cheshire champions, but they dealt extremely well with the challenge of competing in a new and more competitive league. They more then held their own, winning the league and being promoted to the ‘A’ league next season.

Daniel Sturridge Rising Star Award

‘The Daniel Sturridge Rising Star Award’ is named after former CHS student and Liverpool and England striker, Daniel Sturridge and this year the award went to another student who represents England, Ramtin Musah.

Ramtin excels in boxing and is certainly one to watch out for in the future as he looks to become the next Anthony Joshua. A record of just one loss in 12 fights (the one loss coming to the Commonwealth champion) this year has seen the year 11 student ranked number one in the UK for his age category. He has represented England on the international stage and is also a two-time North West champion and currently holds two belts for the region.

The Lynda Arnold Award

The ‘Lynda Arnold Award’ is the most coveted award and is named after former PE teacher Lynda Arnold and is awarded to the student who has shown outstanding contribution to school sport. I was very surprised and honoured to receive this year’s award for my work promoting and recognising school sport through the CHS sports blog.

Mrs Salt ended the evening by thanking the PE staff before paying an emotional tribute to PE teacher Mr Cross who is leaving to take up the role of director of PE and sport in a school in Spain in September.

Written by Adam Bailey