Stourport school’s boost to elite sporting opportunities
A sporting academy at The Stourport High School and VIth Form College has expanded with the addition of netball to its elite training opportunities.
After just 13 weeks, the new team is lying fourth out of eight in the prestigious West Midlands Netball League, adding to the school’s reputation as a centre for sporting excellence.
The programme is offered to post-16 students, alongside A-levels and BTECs, with twice-weekly training sessions in the purpose-built netball dome with matches against top school and college teams across the region.
The squad is also supported by two Year 10 and 4 Year 11 netball county players from the school.
PE teacher and coach Megan Herring said: “I’m so proud of the girls. They have come a long way in a short length of time and we are delighted to be able to offer this new elite pathway.
“Our aim is to grow the squad and to attract external candidates to join our thriving VIth Form College and take advantage of this new netball programme.”
The introduction of netball adds to the school’s basketball programme, now in its second year competing in the Tier 3 College Basketball League, and its established ACE (Academy, Colleges and Education) rugby programme.
The ACE programme currently boasts 57 players, with two squads run in partnership with Gloucester Rugby Academy, training three times a week on the school’s state-of-the-art all-weather pitch made from the latest 4G technology.
Head coach Richard Phillips said: “The first team has achieved their highest placings this season, finishing second in the North Section of the ACE League and then fifth out of 16 nationally.
“We have 10 top players with the Gloucester and Coventry Academies and Year 13 prop Harry Wright is a member of the under 18 England squad.”
Dr Lizzy Ford, interim headteacher, said she was “thrilled” by the development and success of the school’s young sports players.
“With the building of our elite programmes, coupled with our first-class facilities, we are fulfilling our ambition of becoming a centre for sporting excellence.”
