Sports Day
Sun, sprints, shotput and smiles!
Snowdon and Osborn defeated their rival houses to claim victory at a fantastic Rydal Penrhos Sports Day on Friday 26 May 2023.
Sports Day at Rydal Penrhos is always a highlight on the annual calendar. The event not only provides a platform for our most promising athletes to shine, but also showcases the vibrant spirit and unity of our school as pupils, staff, parents and friends join together to support a day of healthy competition and camaraderie.
Of course, Sports Days are best when accompanied by glorious sunshine. Thankfully, the rescheduled end-of-May date for this year’s event proved to be one of the best days of the year so far. After a week of cold and overcast weather, the sun arrived only minutes before Prep and Pre-School activities kicked off.
Year 1 and 2 pupils began the day on the track while their older counterparts competed in the javelin and shotput events. A sizeable contingent of parents enthusiastically cheered them on from the side-lines, as every pupil gave their very best.
After the sprints, obstacle courses and obligatory egg and spoon race were complete, the groups swapped round, allowing the Prep’s older pupils to demonstrate their impressive speed and athleticism.
At 11:00 it was the turn of our Pre-School pupils to take to the track. It was wonderful to see so many parents join our youngest pupils and race hand-in-hand towards the finish line.
Pupils then gathered round to hear Mrs Davies announce the winning house. After a moment of nervous waiting, celebrations erupted as Snowdon were confirmed as this year’s winners!
Senior pupils soon began making their way over to New Field and the much-anticipated picnic lunch was served. Thanks go to Mr Jonathan Stubbs and his excellent catering team for making sure our pupils were all well-fed and hydrated.
Senior Sports Day began in short order, with Mrs Davies handing over commentary duties to the School Chaplain, Rev’d Dr Beamish. Quickly events were underway across New Field and Blackburn’s Piece, with parents and pupils continuing to show their support as pupils represented their houses superbly in events including long-distance, skipping and obstacle races.
The penultimate event in the afternoon’s proceedings was the historic Rydal Mile, which saw many Senior pupils and even some staff take on the course which all pupils and alumni of the school will know well. It was heartening to see everyone participate and give their best; in that sense, it summed up the spirit of the whole day. Gabriel Speakman secured the Rigg Trophy for Boys’ Rydal Mile, while Lily Copeland triumphed in the Merrywing Shield for Girls’ Rydal Penrhos Mile.
Brilliant athlete Jonathan Osbourne delivered on pre-event expectations as he claimed the Diamond Cup for Best Boy 100m Sprint Time, crossing the finish line in a rapid 11.94 seconds. Meanwhile, in the girls’ event, it was Year 7 pupil Ella Payne who defied her young age to post the fastest time of the day, 14.72 seconds, and win The McKinnon Salver for Best Girl 100m Time. Two truly remarkable performances!
A select few pupils were recognised for their outstanding individual performances over the afternoon’s events with the Michael S James Victrix Ludorum Cups for their age categories. Namely, these were Attilio Nguyen, Ella Payne, Freddie MacLaverty, Keira Luke, Gabriel Speakman, and Lily Davies. Congratulations to all!
The overall winners this year were Osborn, who repelled Wesley’s late surge to claim victory.
Thank you to all the pupils, teachers, staff, parents, and guests who helped make this year’s Sports Day such a wonderful occasion and a fitting end to a fantastic half-term at Rydal Penrhos.
We look forward to welcoming you all back on Monday 5 June!
Congratulations to Snowdon and Osborn, Sports Day Champions 2023!
