News
Headington Sportswoman of the Year
Headington's first Sportswoman of the Year was named in a glittering Sports Awards ceremony at the Theatre at Headington this week. Girls from the Lower 5 to Lower 6 were presented with trophies recognising contribution and achievement in a wide range of school sports, in an evening that celebrated the remarkable sporting achievements of girls of all ages in the past year.
Over 70 Headington girls compete at County level or above in their chosen sports, and from fencing to tennis, athletics to hockey and netball to rowing or equestrianism, our teams and individual sportswomen have excelled themselves in 2009. From long lists of worthy nominees, the judges took on the tricky task of choosing just two winners from each year group (one chosen for her contribution to sport, and one for her achievements) to receive a stylish glass trophy. The school's Sports Day Victor Ludorum and Teams of the Year were also named, before the presentation of the overall Sportswoman of the Year award.
Congratulations are due to all of those who were nominated, as well as to this year's winners. Those who were recognised within their year groups for awards for their contribution to sport at Headington had participated in a range of sports including netball, hockey, tennis and athletics, and our Sixth Form sports prefect was amongst the winners. Those recognised for their sporting achievements included a runner who ranks in the top 10 nationally for her age category; our U16 netball captain who also plays in the regional development squad; and a GB and Olympic rower.
Nominated for the Team of the Year award were our Aberdare Tennis team, our 1st VII netball team, our 1st Eight rowing crew and our fencers. All of the teams have performed superbly over the past year, but following a very difficult decision the award was made jointly to the 1st Eight, who this year won the 'triple' - School's Head, National Schools and Henley Women's Regatta - making them without doubt the most successful eight in the school's history, and to the Aberdare Tennis team who go through to the national finals later this month, again making history for Headington.
The award for Sportswoman of the Year was presented in absentia in true Hollywood style, and followed by an impressively eloquent acceptance speech delivered via YouTube! Our winner, a member of the Upper 5, is a true sporting all-rounder who has represented the school in equestrianism, netball, hockey, swimming and triathlons.
Following the awards ceremony, nominees, winners, friends and family gathered in the Recital Room for a reception of drinks and canapes.