School news and success
Charley Simpson, who is a Year 11 pupil at the school, recently signed a deal with Pro Dream USA, which helps young golfers from across the world connect with the best universities in the United States, supporting them throughout the strenuous process to fulfil academic and sporting potential.
This is the latest piece of good news from Charley’s perspective, who is widely regarded as one of the best young golfers anywhere in the country and has achieved a significant amount since joining the Rydal Penrhos community as a Year 7 pupil.
His superb dedication to his craft has seen Charley progress impressively from regional tournament level to the national ranks, which is a testament to his commitment to improving skills during free time and also during sessions with the school’s Golf Academy, which has gone from strength-to-strength since its inception.
Charley’s finest individual achievement to data was becoming Wales U14 open champion after a convincing victory at the competition, which saw him reach the top spot in the rankings for players in his age category nationally.
He was also part of the Rydal Penrhos Golf Academy team who won the ISGA Northern Matchplay Championship for two straight years alongside Adrian Lewis and Reuben Bather, with Charley also being named Junior Captain at Rhos-on-Sea Golf Club.
Charley was named to the Golf Wales Aspire squad last year and impressed considerably to earn selection to the national U16 squad for the prestigious Quadrangular competition on the continent, which was unable to take place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The pupil was also recognised for his exceptional achievements with the Denbighshire Golfing Union Junior Merit Cup, which was first awarded in 1966 and is only presented when a “worthy winner” receives a consensus vote.
This is just the start for Charley, who has been working hard with online coaches during the lockdowns over the last year to further hone his outstanding skill set, which he is combining with his GCSE studies under the exceptional support and guidance of teaching staff at Rydal Penrhos.
Based in Scotland Pro Dream USA have assisted with the placement of more than 1,200 junior golfers into US College Golf teams, securing over $100 million worth of scholarship funding along the way.
The agency was founded in 2002 by Walker Cup and Eisenhower Trophy winner Lorne Kelly, a successful graduate of Coastal Carolina University and recognised as one of the world’s leading college golf recruiters.
Rydal Penrhos has a rich and proud history of hockey achievements, which is part of the school’s outstanding sporting provision. Many pupils have achieved regional and national recognition thanks to their exceptional development from an early age, which is coupled with plenty of national schools’ championships at U16 and U18 levels in recent years.
The next generation of Rydal Penrhosians are continuing this fine trend despite the obvious complications surrounding training and competitive games over the last 15 months due to COVID-19 restrictions.
With some semblance of normality returning thanks to the Welsh Government‘s gradual easing of restrictions, aspiring young hockey players have been busy re-familiarising themselves with school and club coaching, with some even taking part in trials for regional squads.
Year 8 pupils Keira Luke and Fflur Pierce, together with the Year 7 duo of Lily Copeland and Charlotte Payne, were part of a 48-strong group that attended assessments ahead of a possible selection for the North Wales U13 hockey squad, which involved taking part in individual drills and game situations.
After impressing considerably during the trial, all four were selected into the 18-person squad, which represents a significant achievement considering how little time they’ve had to practice in recent months.
Lily and Charlotte earned their place in the squad despite being a year younger than the typical age bracket, with Keira and Fflur’s respective selections adding to their long list of sporting achievements during their time at Rydal Penrhos.
This is the latest piece of good hockey news celebrated by the school, with Freddie MacLaverty also earning a spot in the North Wales U13 boys’ squad after catching the eye in a separate trial.
We are incredibly proud of all five pupils for rising to the occasion and secure their places in the North Wales squad. Hopefully, this will be the start of bigger and better things to come from them all during what is sure to be a fantastic experience against some top opposition.
Eve Durrans and Lily Davies, who are Year 10 pupils at the school, have been part of the Hockey Wales 360˚ programme in Colwyn Bay in recent years, which is an essential component of the organisation’s talent development pathway, helping support and develop aspiring stars to achieve their potential.
Entering the 360˚ pathway is the first step within the performance pathway. Individuals playing at clubs and schools can enter the system, which focuses on technical, tactical, physical and psychological development.
Eve and Lily have both made a substantial impression within the programme and developed considerably as a result. This has not gone unnoticed by their head coach, who nominated the duo for a Wales National Age Group level squad thanks to their outstanding progress.
The pupils travelled to Malvern College on Sunday 23 May for an assessment day with the U16s, which saw Eve and Lily participate in drills along with the best talent in this particular age bracket from across the country.
This is the latest in a series of fine achievements from the pair, who have already represented North Wales at U13 standard during their time at Rydal Penrhos.
Both also play a significant role in the school’s age-grade sides, contributing significantly to some outstanding results for the school with strong performances and an ability to inspire others around them.
Liam Farrell, who is a Year 9 pupil at the school, paired up with Felix Stewart at the UK RS Feva 2021 National Championship, which took place from Saturday 29 May to Tuesday 1 June at Hayling Island Sailing Club and featured some of the brightest young prospects from across the country.
This represented a significant challenge for the duo, but one they responded to with their customary determination on their way to an exceptional series of runs throughout the weekend.
A total of 85 pairs entered the competition, with Liam and Felix ending the championships with a superb fourth-place finish as a result of their efforts.
They were just one spot away from a podium finish to further enhance their growing reputation across the circuit.
Liam has been at Rydal Penrhos throughout his entire education and has developed encouragingly across all areas of school life. He is a strong academic who developed a real talent for sailing from an early age, following in the footsteps of brothers Kevin and Eddie on his way to national recognition.
The pupil has been part of RYA Cymru Wales sailing squads for a number of years and was recently selected to the Royal Yachting Association’s Regional Training Group – Feva (North) squad, for their 2020/21 winter coaching initiative.
In addition to his sailing exploits, Liam has achieved academic success in the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust’s challenges, is a gifted musician and has also assisted Eirias Hockey Club in Colwyn Bay to secure a coveted North Wales Championship in 2020.
As one of the very few schools in the UK able to teach sailing and water-sports as part of our enhanced school curriculum for pupils from Year 3 to Year 8, Rydal Penrhos offers certification at RYA Level 1-4 and beyond; Sailing with Spinnakers, Performance Sailing, Seamanship Skills and powerboat courses up to Level 2.
Everyone at Rydal Penrhos congratulates Liam on a marvellous achievement – one that he should rightfully be very proud of.
