Norwich High Sports Awards Dinner 2024

Posted on 17th June 2024

Norwich High Sports Awards Dinner 2024

Over 200 students, parents and staff from Norwich High School for Girls came together on Friday 14th June to celebrate the sporting year at the 2024 Sports Awards Dinner.

Whilst the evening recognised the achievements of a number of students and teams in their sport, it was also a chance to congratulate everyone and share in each others’ successes. The event was hosted by Director of Sport, Mrs Debra Smith, at the Royal Norwich Golf Club. The guest speaker was Katie Cox, who answered questions from the students and presented the prizes.

Katie began playing football and basketball when she was seven and is currently the Chelsea U19 goalkeeper and plays basketball for the London Lions.

In her Q&A answers, Katie gave the students advice on how to follow competitive pathways into sport, how she balances her sport with studying, and helped motivate students into believing they can be the best. Thanks also to Katie for finding the time earlier in the day to visit our Prep School to answer their questions and inspire our younger pupils with her sporting journey so far.

The format for the evening included an overview of the year, the presentation of PE, Team and Sports Awards, a delicious dinner, games and a raffle. Over 100 awards were presented for categories including Best Effort, Most Improved, Best Newcomer, Most Determined, Leadership and Players’ Player in the A-D teams in Hockey, Netball, Cricket, Tennis, Swimming, Rowing, Equestrian, Cross Country, Athletics and Football.

Congratulations to the winners of our special trophies, which included recognising Immi and Elspeth in Year 10 for their GDST Select achievements, Mr Turner for being our Parent Volunteer of the Year and Year 13 student Saanvi for winning the Nursey Long Service Award for representing the school since being in Year 3 in 2012 in a range of sports.

Year 10 student Immi also went on to win the Miss Smith Special Recognition Award for her achievements in sport and was voted as the Norwich High School Sports Personality of the Year. This award was voted for on the evening by all the attendees who were asked to choose the person to be most deserving in terms of:
– Representing the school at sport,
– Showing excellent attainment, attitude, effort, leadership and attendance,
– Excelling in their chosen sport to a high level.

Immi has had a fantastic 2023/24, being active in sports both in and out of school, playing on the first teams for netball, hockey, and cricket, and competing in age group teams. This year she competed in regionals with the U16 netball team, was selected for county hockey, and trained with and represented county U15, U18, and ladies’ cricket. She also made it into the U18 East Talent Academy for hockey, captained the U16 Dragons and played on the Dragons ladies first team. Additionally, she has played adult mixed hockey for dragons during the summer, Swardeston cricket club adult third team and ladies’ (who won the league last summer), as well as GDST hockey and cricket teams.

Well done to Evie in Year 11 who came in second place and Lilly who came in third.

Member of the equestrian team Evie has represented Norwich High School for Girls at 16 shows over the past academic year. Travelling around the UK, she has covered over 3742 miles, collecting points in the British Showjumping Schools National Individuals League in the 90cm and 100cm classes. She also competed in NSEA championships and Senior British Showjumping, riding her Horse Milo.

Captain of Boats for the rowing team Lilly stroked the first VIII for all of our main races as well as getting the opportunity to sub into a UEA crew for a friendly local fixture. Her main focus this year has been on coastal rowing after making the GB Beach Sprints Development Pathway which has been a fantastic opportunity – allowing her to attend training camps with World and European champion athletes and coaches, as well as getting to train at invitational facilities such as the GB training centre in Caversham.

Mrs Smith commented: “As a PE Department, we all really enjoy the chance to share an inspirational evening with students at the Sports Awards Dinner. The evening allows us to celebrate sport in an inclusive way, and talk about the benefits of sport which include social skills, learning to work as a team and fair play; leadership, improved cognitive function; management, commitment, independence and a good work ethic.

“Participation is what counts. By participating in sport, girls learn that they matter – by challenging societal norms and representing more than themselves, girls who move also inspire others, and they pave the way for future generations of empowered women. Participating in sport is like a practice run for life so let’s keep girls participating in sports and growing their skills to give them the best chance of long term success.”

Thank you to everyone who kindly contributed to the raffle and a special thanks to Pymm and Co for also sponsoring the programme. All proceeds will be invested back into the development of the school’s facilities for sport.

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