News from Stafford and Stone School Sports Partnership

Stafford and Stone School Sports Partnership Year 7 & 8 Table-Tennis Competition

On the first day of November teams gathered at Sir Graham Balfour School for the first of the season's table-tennis competitions. Boys and girls teams from years 7 & 8 gathered for a tournament that will result in the top school going through to represent the district at the county finals in Burton in February.

In the boys' competition five teams battled it out in a round-robin competition with some tight matches in a number of rubbers, many going to a deciding game. The final result was as follows: In third place were Walton Priory Middle School winning two and losing two matches; second were Sir Graham Balfour losing just one match to the overall winners who were Walton High School ‘A’ team who not only won all their matches, but only lost one rubber in their four matches ending with a 31 to 1 result. Walton High School will now go through to the county final.

Walton High 'A' (Winners)

Walton High ‘A’ - Winners

In the girls' competition Sir Graham Balfour defeated Walton Priory Middle School 7 rubbers to 1 and will also represent Stafford and Stone at the county finals.

Walton Priory Player

Many thanks must go to Sir Graham Balfour for the use of the sports hall for the competition and to Simon Trenbirth and other school staff for being on-hand to assist the organisers of the event. We wish the winning teams all the best in the finals.

Partnership Development Manager Steve Glover said, “It was great to see so many young people playing table tennis. This is the second year we have run the tournament and the standard as dramatically improved from last year. A big thanks to Nick Ruddick and Tom Wellens on organising such a smooth event.”

Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership Year 9, 10 and 11 Table-tennis Competition

The second qualifying round for the County “Senior” Table-tennis finals was held at Sir Graham Balfour on 8th November. Eight rubbers were played as the best of five games, giving those schools in attendance nearly two hours of competitive table-tennis.

Competing in a partnership event for the first time were The Hollies. In their first match v Sir Graham Balfour ‘B’ 3 of the rubbers went the full distance, with one game finishing 17–15 to The Hollies.

Table Tennis Competition

Walton High School dominated the event losing only 2 rubbers out of 24, both to Sir Graham Balfour ‘A’. The WHS team therefore go through to represent the partnership at the Level 3 School Games County Final at Burton-upon-Trent in December.

Many thanks once again to Sir Graham Balfour for hosting the event and to their staff. Thanks also to The Hollies for entering and bringing such good support. Thanks to Nick Ruddick and Stafford College Student, Andy Dale for running the event and congratulations to Walton High School on their success and we wish them every good luck in the final.

Steve Glover, Partnership Development Manager for the Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership said, "Another excellent evening of table tennis was enjoyed by all. Well done to the Hollies School who took part in their first Partnership competition and also to Walton High School who will represent the district in the county final."

Table Tennis Winners

Winners - Walton High School

Sportshall Athletics a hit in Stafford and Stone

The month of November has seen hundreds of young people taking part in the Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership Sportshall Athletics Competitions.

Year 5 and 6 children from 30 schools have been taking part in cluster events at respective secondary schools to qualify for the final which takes place in December at Blessed William Howard High School. Currently through to the final are Barnfields, Castlechurch, Walton Priory, Burton Manor, St. Leonards, St. Johns and Bishop Lonsdale.

Sportshall Athletics gives an opportunity for schools to compete indoors during the winter months and includes long jump, triple jump, verticial jump, javelin, various relays to name a few of the events.

Assisting with School Sport Partnership staff to run the events are placements from Stafford College and Staffordshire University but also many, talented sports leaders from each secondary school.

At the end of November pupils in Years 7 and 8 will have the chance to compete and their final will also take place in December at Blessed William Howard High School.

Winners of the partnership event will represent Stafford and Stone in the County Final at Fenton Manor in January.

Steve Glover, Partnership Development Manager said, "Sportshall athletics has once again proven a big hit with young people and schools in Stafford and Stone. Winning schools from our Partnership have always done well in county and regional events and I expect this year to be no different.

The standard competing is very high with many talented young people participating. I have also been very impressed with the quailty of sports leaders that each secondary school has used to support the events."

Stephen Glover
Partnership Development Manager
Stafford and Stone School Sport Partnership

T: 07825999088

E: steve.glover@staffordandstonessp.co.uk
W: www.staffordandstonessp.co.uk

www.facebook.com/StaffordSSP

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