SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR DINNER WELCOMES OS MICHELLE ROTHWELL

Staff, sportswomen and parents met in Queen’s Hall on the evening of Saturday 11th June to celebrate Sedbergh School girls’ sporting achievements this year.

Michelle Rothwell nee Lefton OS (2003-2008), the World Ladies Record Holder for the Enduroman Arch to Arc Challenge, was guest speaker. She presented the Metcalfe Trophy: Sports Woman of the Year to Imogen Boddy (R, L6) who joined the school last year from York. The Players’ Player of the Year went to Emilia Tyser (L, U6) and the Vigar Cup to the U16s Hockey 6s team.

Imogen Boddy, 17, from York, said “I was delighted and so very proud to receive this most prestigious award. One of my reasons for moving to Sedbergh for my sixth form years was to face fresh competition and challenges, and to be recognised for my contribution to Sedbergh sport was fantastic.  

I have managed to continue to play my main sports – hockey, netball, lacrosse and tennis – throughout my first year and have taken up fives. The sports staff here at Sedbergh are incredible – full of encouragement and enthusiasm and I have felt totally energised and driven by all the staff and other team members.  

It is such a pleasure to be part of competitive and successful teams. As teams we know that with more hard work on skills, teamwork and fitness we can enjoy further successes so let’s hope to bring home some silverware next year.”

Head of Girls Sport Lucia Sdao is a former England Netballer with 101 caps, World Championship and Commonwealth Games medals, and she is a National Selector. She said: “This has been a year of firsts. Our first national title, our first Brown Blazer, our first clean sweep across county championships in all age groups at both hockey and netball, a first getting to National Tennis finals and first beating the tennis stronghold of Strathallan, a first being invited to Repton’s pre-season hockey.

I could go on but ultimately the Sedbergh girls sporting profile nationwide took on a whole new level; national finals, north finals, internationals, girls competing in a multitude of sports at all levels. Storm Straker was selected for GB eventing, Iona Lindsay for Scotland lacrosse, Katherine Fleck and Harriet Bramwell for GB Shooting.

“Sedbergh girls sport is built upon teamwork, respect and resilience. We support each other 100 per cent whatever the sport and whatever the competition. We have girls who give everything and more, and that quite simply is why we are getting better and better.”

“This year we look forward to the start of the building of our new sports hall, to more brown blazers for our best girls, and to welcoming new staff to join us on the journey to world domination.

Our South Africa hockey and netball tour is just over a month away, with some of the funds raised going towards a hockey pitch at a township school in Port Elizabeth. We will coach the township children whilst we are there.”

Introducing outgoing and incoming Captains, she said: “A Sedbergh sports captain is a truly special type of girl, and this year they have surpassed all expectations.

They are leaders in every sense of the word, both on and off the field of play. They have inspired, cajoled and coaxed, led by example, supported, advised and motivated their teammates through thick and thin. They are truly an outstanding group of young women.” 

Laylah Scott (Netball), Emilia Tyser (Hockey), Nicole Jeffries (Tennis), Mollie Richmond (Rounders), Georgie Snowden (Lacrosse), Emily Macmillan (Athletics), Charlie Neate (Running), Katherine Fleck (Shooting), Storm Straker (Equestrian) and Alice Peterson (Swimming).

Captains for 2016 – 2017 were announced as Jess Smallwood (Netball), Imogen Boddy (Hockey Club Captain), Georgina Boyd-Moss (1st XI Hockey), Sarah Long (Lacrosse), Isobel Page (Running), Imogen Boddy (Tennis), Cheza Millar (Athletics), Harriet Duxbury (Rounders), Maria Mendoza (Swimming), Darcey Wilkinson (Riding). 

The 2015-16 Vigar Cup, for the team of the year, went to the National 6s Under 16 Hockey Team. Special Contribution to Sport Awards went to Hebe Holdsworth, Eliza Hodgson, Storm Straker, Fern Nuttall, Katherine Fleck, Phoebe Whattoff and Emilia Tyser.

Most Improved Tennis Player:  Imogen Boddy
Most Valuable Tennis Player:  Nicole Jefferies
Most Improved Rider: Phoebe Thorpe
Most Valuable Rider: Storm Straker
Most Improved Netballer:  Tabby Holdsworth
Most Valuable Netballer:  Laylah Scott                        
Most Improved Hockey Player:  Nicola Fleck
Most Valuable Hockey Player:  Emilia Tyser             
Most Improved Lacrosse Player:  Lucy Bailey
Most Valuable Lacrosse Player:  Iona Lindsay
Most Improved Runner:  Josie Coulthard
Most Valuable Runner:  Phoebe Whatoff
Most Improved Shooter:  Megan Kenyon
Most Valuable Shooter: Harriet Bramwell
Most Improved Swimmer:  Maria Mendoza
Most Valuable Swimmer:  Alice Peterson

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