This has been an incredibly busy half-term for the PE department with an extensive fixtures programme. Students are encouraged to take part not just at elite level but also for enjoyment and relaxation!
There has been lots of success across many disciplines, and we are delighted to see so many students embracing the opportunities with enthusiasm, commitment, and outstanding team spirit. We are all excited for the season ahead!
Netball
Our U18s qualified into the third round of the National Cup and participated for the first time in an Invitational National Tournament held at Worcester Arena (competing against Millfield, Berkhamsted, Oakham College and Wrekin College). They were undefeated and finished second on points behind Millfield, who they drew with. The U18s have also qualified to play in the Middlesex Final after finishing first in qualifying.
The U16s qualified for the Middlesex finals and are in the 3rd round of the SNS cup and the U15’s qualified for the Middx finals and 2nd round of the SNS cup. Our U14s have qualified for the Middx Finals after finishing second in qualification and U13s competed in the SNS and ISNC tournaments and have progressed through to the plate competition.
Outside of school, two U18 players have been selected to play NPL (National Performance League) for Saracens Mavericks at U19 and U21 levels, and two U16 players have been selected and are playing PDP Saracens Mavericks.
Lacrosse
Our Seniors, U15s and U14s enjoyed a Lacrosse Masterclass from Ash Gloster (2017 Bronze Medallist & Captain for England at the World Championships, 2022 Assistant Coach for Wales Lacrosse at the World Championships, AMG Sports) and Laura Warren (Maryland Lacrosse, competed for Wales in the World Championships 6 times, competed for the Great Britain Lacrosse Squad twice in the World Games and is a current GB Lacrosse Squad member) and our U12s and U13s are eagerly anticipating their session in January.
The U12 squads produced some exhilarating performances in their most recent matches against Caterham School, securing two wins out of three games. The students attending the Year 7 lacrosse squad have all made excellent progress in developing their skills, tactical understanding and knowledge of the game.
The upcoming Super-County trials have seen eight players nominated for the U15 squads and seven players nominated for the U18 squads. Our U13 and U14 squads saw 12 players nominated from the England County Selection weekend for England Regional Academy trials. We have five players in the Regional Academy England Squads, with 2 securing Regional to National Academy trials. We look forward to following their progress this season.
Badminton
Our squads have continued to go from strength to strength with matches in the Herts and Middlesex league against Watford Girls, Northwood College and Habs. A particular mention goes to our U19 and U13 squads, who are undefeated this season with convincing wins. In the School Sports Cup, our U16 and U14 teams reached the last 16 in this national competition with wins over Lady Eleanor Holles and Putney High. In the Herts and Middlesex doubles tournament, our U19 first pair finished in 3rd place, and our U16 pair were the eventual runners-up.
Artistic Sports
The U13 Independent School Gymnastics Association competition team qualified for the National Finals in February and are starting to work on their routines in preparation. The U15 ISGA competition team competed (some for the first time) at Haberdashers. The gymnasts’ performances placed them in the top half, securing a place at the National Finals later this year alongside the U13 team.
We are currently running four dance squads (middle school lyrical, middle school commercial, upper school lyrical and upper school commercial). Each squad has 18 students and is packed to the brim with personality, style, flair, and fun. They are learning to improve their technique and performance quality and are working towards some choreography, which they demonstrated at the Year 7 Dance Display.
Cheerleading Squad has been as popular as ever. Forty-five students make up the team this year, creating seven stunt groups to work on their acrobatic skills and are looking forward to attending competitions this year.
Tennis
Our U16 and U14 tennis teams have been involved in the culmination of the summer term competitions, where they qualified for the latter stages of the Middlesex competition. Our U14 team won the Division 1 Middlesex Final, beating City 12-0 and qualifying for the Regional Playoffs, where they eventually lost to a strong Putney High Side 4-8. Putney ended up as the Southeast Regional Champion, so this was a tremendous achievement. Our U14 and U16 Division 2 teams reached the finals of the Middlesex Schools competition, where they played Notting Hill and Ealing High. Unfortunately, we narrowly lost in the final, but congratulations to both teams, especially the U16 team, where the match came down to a tiebreak shootout!
Water polo Club
This has continued to be a popular club this year, with many students from Years 8, 9, & 10.
They have been working on fitness techniques, learning the rules of the sport and preparing for the National Schools tournament next term.
Skiing
Seventeen pupils competed at the British Schoolgirl’s Indoor Ski Races at Milton Keynes. Of the 39 teams entered, we placed 12th overall. In the individual performances, there were 223 entrants, and our top individual placing was 18th overall. 11 pupils have been selected to compete at the British Schoolgirls Races in Flaine in January, and we wish them every success.
Basketball
Thirteen girls from Year 8 and Year 7 compete for the first time in the Jr. NBA tournament in the New Year.
Swimming
The Year 7 & 8 teams qualified for the North of the River London Final with a score of 715 which will take place in the spring term. Our Year 7, 8 & 9 teams also won our friendly against St Helens (Year 8 & 9 won their age groups). Finally, this term, we sent teams at all levels (Y7/8, Y9/10 & Y11/12/13) to compete in the ESSA Secondary Team Championships preliminary round. We are still waiting to hear whether our relay teams have qualified for the National Final.
Cross-Country
Cross-country running continues to be a popular choice for students at NLCS. Nineteen runners travelled to Harrow School for the first round of the England School Athletics Association Competition. All runners put in a magnificent effort against some very tough competition. Our intermediate team (Years 9 and 10) progressed to the second round, which took place at Verulamium Park in St Albans.
Cricket
The cold and wet weather is not stopping cricket at NLCS. Throughout the year, students from years 6-13 will get the opportunity to play in the MCC inter-school indoor cricket competition at Lords. The U19 team are the only group to have had their turn so far. It was a brilliant day at the Home of Cricket, where our play got better and better as the day went on. Sixteen students had a great day and represented the school brilliantly. There is much promise for cricket at NLCS, and we hope it grows as the year progresses.
