By Isabella P, Year 10 Journalist Leader

On the 5th of May, we held our annual sports awards, organised by the amazing sports department. The department celebrated the students’ fantastic successes with awards for sports person of the year as well as one for rising stars in both Junior and Senior categories in 13 sports.

Over 130 students attended and it was an awesome evening. We were lucky enough to be joined by two phenomenal guest speakers Kate Haywood (swimmer and two-time Olympian) and Proscovia Peace-Nwokocha  (Uganda netball captain and current Surrey Storm netballer).

The evening began with a small speech from our Sports Director Mr Bennett and Games Captain Ellie M congratulating us on our successes this year, talking about what sport means to everyone, and that there is something out there for everyone.

We then listened to the inspirational stories of our guest speakers followed by a lively Q&A. They each shared the highs and lows of their careers, encouraging us to keep trying no matter what life throws at you. Most importantly they shared their top tips about progressing your sporting interests, whether it be moving on to compete in a tougher league outside school or moving up to the next school team.  

Kate Haywood spoke about her career, that she had several injuries throughout her career – one (a hip injury) that set her back quite a bit (both physically and mentally). She went on to talk about how having a good support system and mental fitness can be just as powerful as physical fitness. And that after almost 1 year after her injury (it took about 4 months to recover) she was finishing in the top 5 of European and international competitions.

Proscovia Peace-Nwokocha spoke of her life growing up in Uganda and how she discovered netball. She shared the many challenges she has faced and examples of incredible resilience along her journey to becoming a world-class netballer. More on her talk here.

After this, we were treated to a lovely meal of chicken burgers, salad and fruit, catered to us outside. This was then followed by the lucky draw. This year, there were over 25 prizes, including a signed netball by the Surrey Storm Netball team, hockey packs, family day pass to the FoxHills Country Club, strength and conditioning bands from Absolute Performance, Hoodyworld vouchers, a signed Jamaican Netball team shirt, and even a subcoat from Limitless. This was the highlight for many, with students trading and bargaining with each other over prizes!

The awards were presented by our guest speakers to our sports players of the year across the different sports as we celebrated a fantastic year of sporting achievement for NHEHS teams and individuals.

The 2023 Sports Award Winners:

Gymnastics:

Gymnast of the Year – Phoebe W; Gymnastics Rising Star – Agnes F C

Trampolining:

Trampolinist of the Year – Nina P; Trampolining Rising Star – Roma S

Dance:

Junior Dancer of the Year – Florence B; Senior Dancer of the Year – Jaan W

Junior Rising Dance Star – Eve C; Senior Rising Dance Star – Aditi S

Badminton:

Badminton Player of the Year – Areesha A; Badminton Rising Star – Caroline S

Swimming:

Junior Swimmer of the Year – Daley S; Senior Swimmer of the Year – Alex D

Junior Rising Swimming Star – Lara R; Senior Rising Swimming Star – Amelia D

Water Polo:

Junior Water Polo Player of the Year – Manpreet G; Senior Water Polo Player of the Year – Evie S

Junior Rising  Water Polo Player Star – Alice N; Senior Rising  Water Polo Player Star – Zoe D

Cross Country:

Junior Cross Country Runner of the Year – Sofia B; Senior Cross Country Runner of the Year – Natasha B

Junior Rising Cross Country Runner Star – Mary Kate T; Senior Rising Cross Country Runner Star – Isabella P

Cricket:

Junior Cricketer of the Year – Lana G; Senior Cricketer of the Year – Sofia Y

Junior Rising Cricketer Star – Hannah D; Senior Rising Cricketer Star – Jasmine D-R R

Athletics:

Junior Athlete of the Year – Minna W; Senior Athlete of the Year – Nicola H

Junior Rising Athlete Star – Lucia F-R; Senior Rising Athlete Star – Hannah P

Tennis:

Junior Tennis Player of the Year – Abby G; Senior Tennis Player of the Year – Zahara H

Junior Rising Tennis Player Star – Jojo D;Senior Rising Tennis Player Star – Emmeline L

Football:

Junior Football Player of the Year – Sophia L; Senior Football Player of the Year – Lewhat Y

Junior Rising Football Player Star – Olivia B Senior Rising Footballer Player Star – Charmy G

Hockey:

Junior Hockey Player of the Year – Guusje V; Senior Hockey Player of the Year – Anna W

Junior Rising Hockey Player Star – Jojo K; Senior Rising Hockey Player Star – Hope G

Netball:

Junior Netball Player of the Year – Meredith J; Senior Netball Player of the Year –  Gen P

Junior Rising Netball Player Star – Cosima L D; Senior Rising Netball Player Star – Julia B

Team of the Year – U16 Netball Team

Junior Outstanding Contribution – Manpreet G

Senior Outstanding Contribution – Gen P

 Junior Unsung Hero – Aneira B

Senior Unsung Hero – Anna W

Games Captain Award – Ellie M

 It was an absolutely inspiring evening and a massive thank you to the sports department for organising it, especially Miss Newman, as well as to Peace Proscovia and Kate Haywood.

For more photos and videos, please see our Sport Instagram.