Pupils impress in first fixtures of the term

This week saw many of our Prep School pupils in action on the netball courts or football pitches as fixtures resumed. Many players in our U8 teams took part in their first competitive netball or football fixtures. Despite the arctic conditions, all of our pupils thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

U8 Netball v RGS The Grange

The Year 3 girls travelled to RGS The Grange for their first U8 netball matches. The children played in four teams with no positions, meaning everyone had the opportunity to defend and attack, this being a way of introducing the girls to competitive netball. There was good teamwork and communication displayed on all four courts; particular mention must go to Ruby and Bella, who worked well as a pair, moving the ball up the court very well. Whilst it was a successful afternoon, it has also given the group lots upon which to work over the next term and Mrs Horrocks and Miss Lake can’t wait to see how the girls progress in future fixtures!

U9 Netball v RGS The Grange

On an extremely cold Tuesday afternoon, King’s Hawford welcomed RGS The Grange to play their first netball match of 2023; for some it was also their first time ever playing by ‘Bee Netball’ rules. Bee Netball is England Netball’s fun-filled, high-energy and nurturing programme for children at the beginning of their team sport journey. It is designed to introduce children to key netball skills of throwing, catching, footwork and shooting.

The girls from Year 4 were so excited to play and, despite the cold, they got stuck in and played their little white socks off! The centre court players worked incredibly well together, with some lovely cross-court passing which was quick and accurate, allowing for a fast delivery into the shooting D. The defence made some excellent interceptions and were able to send the ball back quickly to the attacking players. The girls have been practicing hard with their shooting and it showed, as the King’s netballers produced some excellent goals.

Mrs Beech was proud of all of the players and was impressed with their enthusiasm and resilience in tough conditions. Well done to Millie B, Elizabeth N, Jess K and Lily SH, who were all voted Player of the Match by the opposition. The games staff are looking forward to an exciting and fast-paced season of netball, with plenty more fixtures!

U11 Girls Netball v RGS The Grange

Year 6 netballers hosted RGS The Grange at King’s Hawford on a frosty January afternoon. It was the first game of the netball season, and the team were motivated and determined from the first centre pass.

With a constant change of positions due to playing the ‘Bee Netball’ rules, we intercepted a number of passes in defence, attacked with confidence and shot with success.

Bee Netball isn’t just a game; it’s about introducing the children to the framework of netball and teamwork on and off the court.

It was a really lovely game of netball to watch, and the girls were great at taking on board feedback about passing selection and retaining possession after every rotation.

When we had the ball, we played with confidence and the passes flowed, demonstrating the hard work the girls have put into training and lessons during these past few weeks.

Players of the Match awards went to Erin, Izzy and Lottie, who played in every position and rotation with conviction and energy.

The games staff are looking forward to more exciting fixtures in season ahead with these young ladies.

U9 Boys’ Football vs RGS The Grange

On Tuesday afternoon the U9 boys enjoyed getting their football term underway with two excellent fixtures against RGS The Grange. The boys worked hard to implement the skills and tactics on which they have been working during games afternoons and it was great to see them developing their shape and positional awareness in a competitive situation. The boys also put together some nice passing movements that led to well-taken goals. We were especially impressed with the excellent defensive performances of Arthur O and Arthur A, a great display in goal from Finn MP and the determination shown by Harry G to score two goals.

U11 Boys’ Football Matty Thacker Tournament

On Wednesday afternoon, our U11 boys football team competed in the annual Matty Thacker football tournament at Winterfold School. It was a great afternoon of football, with 14 schools competing for the shield. The Hawford boys started in outstanding form, securing 2-0 victories in both of the first two group stage matches against The Elms and Moor Park. The boys played some super passing and moving football in these matches, the highlight of which included a fantastic move that culminated in Khaleefah bearing down on goal, only to pass the ball to Freddie P for a tap-in finish; this was a great display of unselfish play which secured a certain goal. Additionally, we were treated to two accomplished finishes from Jack M and Hudson M and a strong impact off the bench from Sartaaj G.

The boys continued to play well and battled hard in the next two group games, following up the two wins with two more well-earned points by drawing with Abberley (thanks to a tidy goal from Freddie M) and Winterfold.

The Hawford boys extended their unbeaten run in the next group game with an impressive 1-0 win over The Downs, thanks so an inventive finish from Khaleefah following an accurate free kick from Hudson M. Max M, Johnnie T and Oliver B produced excellent defensive performances in this game, with Oliver securing the Man of the Match award by making several impressive saves in goal.

Our final group game saw us take on a very strong RGS The Grange team and, despite strong performances from Freddie M and Barnaby B, we were unable to claim victory. Despite this, the boys still finished third in our group of seven, setting up a semi-final with West House School.

What ensued was a highly competitive and hard-fought semi-final in which the Hawford boys worked hard but, despite having much of the play, were unable to break through the West House defences. The match finished in a 1-0 defeat, but the boys can hold their heads up high, having played some super football throughout the afternoon, giving lots of positives for the rest of the football term to come.