Arriving on the red carpet and special guest, former Northgate student, Todd Cantwell.
As another sporting year comes to a close it was time to recognise the achievements and endeavours of our pupils. Although the school did not win a mass of silverware this year, there are more opportunities than ever for them to practice and compete in the multitude of activities available. It was great to see all pupils dressed up so smartly and feeling positive about spending time with their fellow performers.
The evening, MC’d by the ever-lively Mr Lea, kicked off by distributing Sporting Colours. The criteria for receiving these has been tightened up this year to make it a really special achievement for all those who put in the hard work to receive them. Well done to those who gained their colours, especially those in receipt of senior colours.
We then had former pupil, current Norwich City player, and past winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award, Todd Cantwell, attending to share his experiences of how to make it is an elite athlete and give out the awards. It was great to hear how he has progressed and the pupils were able to ask him some probing questions about his life as a footballer.
Awards were given out for Most Valuable Performer in 9 different sports, along with those pupils who have shown a massive improvement in their approach and performance in curriculum PE (all listed below). There were also awards for the sports leader who stood out the most in their commitment to leadership, and the pupil who displayed the most committed attitude to improving their prospects in GCSE PE. Well done to J Crane and L Cork respectively.
Most Improved – Year 9 – O Fountain + Academic Achievement in Physical Education – L Cork
Most Valuable performer – Rugby – C Mason, Football – H Flynn, Most improved – Year 10 – S Bunn and Most valuable performer – Hockey – T Tooke
The team of the year titles were hotly contested. The Year 9 winners were the Handball team who were Norfolk Champions, the Year 10 title went to the Rounders team who were Semi-finalists of the South Norfolk competition when in Year 9 (this was after last year’s awards evening), and the Year 11 winners were the Rugby team who were runners-up in the county plate competition. The overall team of the year was given to the Handball team. Well done to all who part of these teams.
Teams of the Year – Year 11 Rugby, Year 9 Handball
In amongst all these awards were the raspberries, our nod to those who may have done something daft over the year. A couple of notable ones were Kevin Denmark, our dancing cricket coach, and Alex who has an unfathomable level of enthusiasm during leadership.
The big awards were given out towards the end of the night. Firstly, H Brown won the new Dani Nimmock Perseverance Award, for his positive attitude towards recovery from injury to get back to playing Rugby. We also had the Sporting Gesture Award given to M Ramos for his generosity in providing a post-match packed-lunch for a visiting rugby team out of his own pocket.Â
Most valuable player – Football – S Barnett, Excellence in Leadership – J Crane, Most valuable player – Handball – K Mason, Netball – G Clements.
Next there was the Outstanding Sporting Achievement which was, as usual, an incredibly tight contest among pupils who have shined in activities outside of school. B Copping won this award after signing professional terms with Bury Football Club – a great achievement. Lastly, there was the Lewis Hendry Shield – Commitment to Northgate Sport. G Clements deservedly won this for her consistently committed approach to helping the PE department with teams and fixtures over her 5 years at Northgate.
What a wonderful night we had celebrating our successes. Thanks to all those who came, and congratulations to all the winners.
Team of the Year – Year 10 Rounders, Outstanding Sporting Achievement – B Copping, Dani Nimmock Perseverance Award – H Brown, Lewis Hendry Shield – Commitment to Northgate Sport – G Clements
Most Valuable Performers
- Football – H Flynn & S Barnett
- Rugby – C Mason
- Netball – G Clements
-  Hockey – T Tooke
- Cricket – L Watts & K Ballingall
- Rounders – K Summerford
- Handball – K Mason
Most Improved
- Yr 9 – O Fountain
- Yr 10 – S Bunn
- Yr 11 – J Mackay
Excellence in Leadership
- J Crane
Academic Achievement in Physical Education
- L Cork
Teams of The Year
- Year 9 – Girls Handball
- Year 10 – Rounders (from Yr9)
- Year 11 – Rugby
- Overall Team – Girls Handball
Sporting Gesture
- M Ramos
The Dani Nimmock Perseverance Award
- H Brown
Outstanding Sporting Achievement
- Â BCopping
Lewis Hendry Shield – Commitment to Northgate Sport
- G Clements
