ISSUE 14

Walsall Academy Physical Education Magazine

This is the fourteenth edition of the Physical Inside this issue Education Magazine. We hope you will enjoy Inter-Academies reading about all of the fantastic Sports Week achievements of the school teams, and our individual stars of the future. Walsall School Athletics Football Update Rugby Update Plus much more! PAGE 2

Inter-Academies

On Tuesday 20 June, Walsall Academy students took part in the Tennis and Rounders Inter-Academies tournament hosted by . The teams included a Year 7 and a Year 8 mixed Rounders team, and 4 Year 8 students to represent us in the Tennis tournament. The Year 7 Rounders team performed extremely well all tournament, only losing one game to Thomas School who were the eventual winners. Unfortunately the Year 8 team suffered the same fate, but narrowly lost to School by half a rounder, which meant they also finished in second place. The two Tennis teams did exceptionally well, as both Walsall teams made it to the Plate Final. There was nothing between the two teams all game, and as a result it had to be settled by a tie break, which was won by Spencer and Millie.

On Tuesday 27 June, we travelled to Thomas Telford School to take part in the Swimming Gala and the Hockey tournament. At the Swimming Gala, the Walsall Academy team competed well in every event and showed great competitive spirit. The overall standings for the swimming were Year 7 in third place and Year 8 in fourth place.

Both of the Hockey teams competed fantastically well all tournament, and played some great Hockey which meant that the Year 7 team remained unbeaten all tournament. They beat Sandwell Academy, and drew against Madeley and Thomas Telford School, meaning that they only missed out on first spot on goal difference. The Year 8 team came third overall, narrowly missing out on second place. ISSUE 14 PAGE 3

Sports Week

Throughout the week commencing 19 June, Walsall Academy students embarked on their first Sports Week. Each day, a different year group competed in their teams which were named after their zone leader to try and earn points and be crowned the overall winners. Each team competed in either Football or Rounders, and then moved on to the track and field events. As well as earning points through sporting activities, the teams could earn points in the classroom, and these were all added to their final score.

The week was a great success, as every student participated for their team and cheered each other along through each event. Despite the intense heat, there was some fantastic displays of athleticism and some great times and distances were recorded in each event. The teams approach was the inspiration behind the plan for house competitions at Walsall Academy in the future.

The overall results for Sports Week were as follows:

1st Armstrong 436 2nd Milkamanavicius 417 3rd Baker 387 4th Dingle 356 5th Morrin 349 6th Bawa 329 7th Curry 315 PAGE 4

Football Update The Sixth Form team have made a fantastic start to their season, having won their first two games. The first was against St Francis in a league match which turned out to be a very one sided game. Walsall Academy dominated from the first whistle and finished comfortably with a 5-1 victory. Their second game saw them play against Arden School in the first round of the National Cup. Arden School beat Walsall Academy last year, so the boys were eager to win. They were put on track through a fantastic overhead kick from Sam, and more goals were added in the second half through Bayley and Rhys. Arden did manage to grab a consolation goal but Walsall progress to the next round after an impressive 3-1 victory.

The Year 11 team made a good start to their league campaign, with a solid performance at Brownhills. The game was a good physical battle but goals from Callum, Brad and two from Marylson gave Walsall a comfortable 4-0 victory. In the National Cup the team got drawn against Sandwell Academy. The boys were the better team from the start but were unable to convert any chances that they created which caused them to be 3-0 down by the start of the second half. Goals from Samuel and Joshua gave Walsall Academy hope, but the killer instinct in front of goal was missing which meant that the final result finished 3-2 in Sandwell’s favour.

The Year 10 Football team started off in winning form against Dormston in the first round of the Cup. The game didn't start in Walsall’s favour as the boys were 3-0 down within the first half with two goals from corners and a fantastic free kick. However, the boys didn't let their heads drop and managed to work their way back into the game to make it 3-3. Extra time couldn't split the sides so the game had to be decided on penalties, and Walsall Academy showed their composure in order to advance to the next round. The Year 10 team also played their first fixture in the National Cup at home against Thomas Telford. This time the boys started off well and took a 1-0 lead, but unfortunately couldn't hold out for the victory with the final score ending 4-1 to the visitors. ISSUE 14 PAGE 5

Football Update

The Year 9 team played their first league game of the season at home against Bloxwich Academy. The boys carried over their form from last year in the league by winning 11-1. The goal scorers were Callum, Ben, Morgan, Spencer, Louis, Charlie and James. In the National Cup the Year 9 team got drawn against Thomas Telford School. Walsall Academy conceded an early goal but equalised shortly after through Ben. Thomas Telford School scored their second goal, and again Walsall tried to respond but this time the woodwork saved the opposition on two occasions. In the second half, Thomas Telford School became more defensively minded. Walsall Academy tried to get back into the game but they scored another 2 goals and won 4-1. However, in the West Midlands Cup, the Year 9 team came through a very tough battle against Highfields school. Goals from Callum and Owen gave Walsall a 2 goal lead, but Highfields scored 1 back just before the half time whistle blew. In the second half, the pressure mounted from Highfields and the constant pressure became too much when Walsall conceded a penalty. However, stand in goalkeeper Charlie pulled off a fantastic save, low to his left which spurred the boys on to see out the game, and ran out eventual winners 4-1.

Year 8 team have played their first game of the season in the National Cup against St Peter’s Collegiate College. This was another close match with both teams creating chances, however Walsall used their grit and determination to progress to the next round after winning 3-2. Their next fixture will see the boys play Bishop Challoner which will be another test, but the team are ready to step up to the challenge.

The Year 7 team have been working extremely hard in training for their upcoming season. There has been tough competition for places within the team, and the boys are looking forward to starting their season in the upcoming weeks.

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Walsall Schools Athletics

On Wednesday 12 July, Walsall Academy competed in the annual Walsall Schools Athletics Competition which is held at the Alexander Stadium. This is always a fantastic day for all the schools in the Walsall area, with everyone's sights set on lifting the trophy at the end of the day.

Throughout the summer term, Walsall Academy students had been attending Session 3 to practise their skills for the big day and hope to earn a place on the team as there was huge competition for places. Every member of the Walsall Academy team put 100% into their events which meant that they achieved something that the Academy had never achieved before and won the Walsall Schools Athletics Competition, beating last years winners by over 50 points! A big congratulations goes out to all of the students and staff who took part in such a spectacular day. On the next page is a list of every student who won a medal on the day.

ISSUE 14 PAGE 7

Nifemi Gold 4x100m Relay Long Jump 200m Silver 100m Torie Gold Relay Emily Gold Relay Sadie Gold Relay Evie Gold High Jump Joel Gold Relay Thomas Gold Javelin Ben Gold 200m Relay Bronze 100m Daniel Gold 800m Relay James Gold Relay Sophie Silver High Jump Emily Bronze Long Jump Samuel Silver 100m Myles Silver 800m Megan Silver 800m Beyonce Gold Shotput Paige Gold Relay Natalie Gold Relay Silver 200m Esther Gold 100m Relay Aishat Gold Relay Silver 300m Max Gold Relay Silver Discuss Isaac Silver Javelin Harry Gold High Jump Cameron Gold Relay Silver 100m Morgan Gold Relay Silver 200m Joshua Gold Relay PAGE 8

Rugby Update

On Thursday 28 of September the Year 8 Rugby team went to Willenhall Rugby Club to play in the County Cup. Walsall Academy were drawn in a very tough group against the likes of King Edwards Lichfield Grammar School, Shire Oak and Aldersley. After a very tough fought out group, Walsall narrowly missed out on the top spot in the group with a last second try conceded against a very strong and powerful King Edwards Lichfield team. This then placed the boys in the Shield Final, which saw the boys again pitched up against another grammar school in Christchurch. The boys came away victorious and were crowned County Shield Champions. Walsall Academy is now ranked 5th overall in the county which is a huge achievement for a non-grammar school. Stand out performances came from Dionte, Jai-Sharn, Joel and Lewis who showed some powerful running and hard hitting defence throughout the tournament.

On Thursday 5 October the Year 8 Rugby team went to Warley Rugby Club to take part in the Birmingham Cup. The first game was a big matchup against a very strong and well drilled University of Birmingham School. Straight from the start a powerful run from Tyler stunned the opposition and scored in the opening play of the game. Walsall Academy showed their class and went on to win 15-10. The second fixture saw us face Kind Edwards Sheldon Heath Academy, this saw the boys put in a scintillating performance of open flowing rugby resulting in a 40-0 demolition with excellent performances from Jai-Sharn and Jack.

The final fixture saw us face off against local rivals Aldridge Academy, with the winner being crowned Birmingham Champions. The game started in a fiery fashion with massive hits from the likes of Tyler and Lewis setting the tone of the game; this was going to be a classic. Aldridge started the game well with some attacking flowing rugby, but the purple wall stood firm with some solid defence. Walsall Academy squad then managed to grab possession and after some intense pressure, got the opening score of the game. This was the first of many as Aldridge were blown away by both the quality and physicality of the Walsall boys. This was arguably the best performance of the tournament and saw us come out 40-10 winners. This saw us finish in top spot and add another piece of silverware into an increasingly large collection. ISSUE 14 PAGE 9

Netball Update

In the first Netball fixtures of the season, the Year 7, Year 8 and Senior teams travelled to Barr Beacon. The Year 7 and Senior team found it difficult to gel together as the new players were getting to know how each other played and both narrowly lost their games. However the Year 8 Netball team played extremely well and dominated their game from start to finish, resulting in a comfortable victory and a great start to the season for them.

On 11 October, the Year 7 and Year 9 teams travelled to Grace Academy. The Year 7 team built upon their last performance, and put in a great display which saw them finish 2-0 victors. The Year 9 team played their first game of the season which turned out to be a thrilling encounter with both teams scoring some great points. However, the Walsall Academy team came out on top with the final result finishing 10-5.

On 18 October, the Senior Netball team travelled to St Francis. This was their second game of the season, and the girls were eager to build upon their last performance. The girls played much better as a team, and dominated from the first whistle. The final result was a convincing 13-5 victory to Walsall Academy, and they are looking forward to their next game against Pool Hayes.

Girls Rugby Girls in Year 9 have been taking part in training sessions which have been delivered by coaches from Handsworth Rugby Club. They have taken part in two sessions so far, and the girls have been learning a range of skills such as passing and tackling. They have displayed great enthusiasm for the sport, and are all eager to develop. The girls are also attending an open training session at Walsall Rugby club to help them progress further.

The girls are working towards a tournament that they will be attending next month, and if they continue to develop at the same speed they will have a fantastic chance at lifting the trophy. They are also starting to think about local clubs so they can take up Rugby outside of school which is great to see.

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T P Riley Cadets

On Thursday 27 September, the T P Riley Cadets ran a variety of different activities for the whole of Year 8. There was a variety of different tasks, both inside and outside that required the students to work in teams in order to succeed. The inside task was to plan a course of action to evacuate a town that was in the direct path of a tornado. Outside, the students got to try their hand at paintballing, pitching a large tent, call drumming and various other tasks that required excellent communication skills. The day was a great success and was enjoyed by every student that took part. The students gained an insight in to what it would be like to be a part of the Cadets, and were given information on how to join if this was something that they wanted to pursue.

Hall of Fame

The newest addition to the Walsall Academy hall of fame is Maja. Maja is a Year 8 student, and since starting the Academy has gone from strength to strength in a variety of different sports. She is an important member of the Basketball team, Football team, Netball Team, Rounders Team, Hockey team and the Inter-Academies Badminton team. She is a fantastic young sportswoman, who not only has the ability to perform at a high level, but also has the communication and leadership skills that are vital for playing sport.

Maja has recently been signed by Walsall Ladies Football Club where she plays as a striker. She joined at the start of the season and has already scored an impressive 15 goals in just 10 games. Everyone in the PE department is confident that Maja will be very successful at Walsall Ladies, as she is eager to learn and determined to be the best that she can be.

D of E Update

Over the summer, Walsall Academy Silver and Gold D of E groups completed their final expeditions with success. The Silver group accomplished a tough expedition in Snowdonia and were highly commended for their effort, resilience and excellent navigation and camp craft skills. The Gold group spent 4 nights wild camping in the Wales. They completed each day of the expedition displaying outstanding team work and very confident navigation skills in the Welsh mountains. They were a credit to themselves and the Academy. The Year 9 Bronze group were also successful in their final expedition in early September. We hope to see these students progress to their Silver and Gold awards.

This is the fourteenth edition of the PE Magazine and we hope you have enjoyed it. We are looking to get students more involved in the process by supplying pictures, writing match reports etc. So if you want to get involved and supply a story/report save the file to memory stick or disk ready for editing and pass onto the PE Department.

If you want to be a part of the next magazine, come to Session 3 and get involved in PE and Sport.

Mr L Bull PE Department