Sports Update
A term of triumphs set to continue
It has been a term of triumph for Rydal Penrhos on the sporting field, with the possibility of even greater success to follow over the next five weeks.
Rydal Penrhos has a long and illustrious sporting history, dating back to the time of legends like Bleddyn Williams and Wilfred Wooller, who excelled in rugby and cricket respectively. This legacy continues to this day, as our pupils demonstrate their passion, skill, and dedication in a variety of sports.
The first half-of-term consolidated the successful emergence from Covid that the sporting department has seen. It even included what Head of Sport Mr Kirby has described as the “busiest sporting week since I arrived at the school,”. Some of the major headlines of the term so far include:
Hockey Teams on the Pathway to National Championships
Hockey has been a strength of the school increasingly since the installation of the Astro Turf at the turn of the millennium and that the consistent success of teams in reaching and often winning national championships finals is testament to this.
Now, over the next term we can look forward to multiple Rydal Penrhos hockey teams competing at the highest level in Wales. This includes the U18s boys side, who were champions last year, and will be looking to prove they can still win without talismanic Wales star and 2023 leaver Alex Starling.
Individuals and Teams Continue to Excel
Our pupils have also been achieving remarkable results in other sports, both individually and as teams. Here are some of the highlights:
The U11 rugby team faced tough competition at an Urdd rugby tournament hosted by Nant Conwy RFC, but they showed great resilience and teamwork to reach the semi-finals, where they lost to a strong Ysgol Bro Gwydir side.
Rydal Penrhos U18 Sevens team visited Lymm RFC for Wirral Grammar School’s rugby sevens tournament. They impressed with their speed, agility, and flair, winning three out of four matches.
The U12 girls’ hockey team were also participating in regional finals, where they faced some of the best schools in North Wales. They played with determination and skill, with Year 7 pupil Connie Ratcliffe producing an outstanding display.
Rydal Penrhos won a vast haul of medals at the recent National Schools Snowsports Association competition, held at Llandudno Snowsports Centre. Our skiers made their mark on the event, winning gold, silver, and bronze medals in various categories.
Rydal Penrhos Pupils Thriving for School, Club and Country
Rydal Penrhos never puts the individual sporting development and achievement of its pupils in conflict with our desire to see them thrive and succeed within our teams. The school could not be prouder of its pupils’ achievements in their own personal sporting pursuits. There have been many recent examples of this, such as:
Multitalented sportsperson Lily Copeland captaining an amazing group of North West Wales (Eryri) players in the Hoci Cymru Under 15s County Championships. Lily led by example, scoring goals and assisting her teammates, and helping Eryri to a runner-up finish in the tournament.
The collective contribution of many Rydal Penrhos pupils to the regional success of the local Eirias Hockey Club. Several of our pupils play for this local club, and they have been instrumental in securing memorable victories.
Skiing prodigy Wilfred Jones competing in the English Alpine Championships, where he raced against some of the best young skiers in the country.
And many other examples of our pupils excelling in sports such as sailing, karate, athletics, and more.
We hope you enjoyed this update on the sporting achievements of our pupils. We look forward to sharing more news and stories with you very soon. Thank you to everyone in our community for the continued support and encouragement of our young sportspeople. Go Rydal Penrhos!