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Sporting Success
We are delighted to share that Didcot Girls' School has been awarded the Equal Access to Football Award from the England Football Association. The prestigious award is in recognition of the girls' football offering we have at DGS both within lessons and extra-curricular time.
At DGS we enter competitions at area, county and national level across all ages from Under 12 to Under 16, including B teams in Under 12 to 14. Since September, over 70 girls have represented DGS, playing 25 games and scoring over 125 goals!
Both Under 15 and Under 16 teams are down to the last 32 in the country from over 340 schools who entered the English Schools FA Cup. The teams have had a great run in form and look forward to seeing who they will draw in round 5.
Both the Under 13 and Under 16 teams are through to the semi finals of the county cup for their age groups and the Under 14 B team remain unbeaten in their league. The under 12 and under 15 teams look forward to starting their county cup campaigns in January alongside entering the Sisters in Sport football tournaments.
Outside of school, four students have successfully trialled to play for the county team at Under 14 and Under 16 as well as having six students at talent centres at Southampton FC, Oxford United FC and Swindon Town.
Aside from playing, several of the girls have taken on coaching and refereeing roles, gaining qualifications in these areas and volunteering at DGS, primary school football festivals and local clubs.
Lastly, we are extremely grateful to Friends of DGS who have kindly agreed to funding a new football kit for the lower school teams which the girls are looking forward to wearing in the new year!
Under 15 Football Team narrowly defeated in Sisters n Sport National School Cup Final
Following their 4-2 victory in the semi-final on 20th June, the under 15 football team were narrowly defeated in the final of the Sisters n Sport National School Cup on Wednesday 22nd June. Following a 1-1 draw in Derby, they lost 5-4 on penalties. The team were devastated to have lost to such a narrow margin after playing their very best but have shown themselves to be a real credit to the school and we are incredibly proud of both how they have performed and how they have conducted themselves throughout the tournament.
Under 15 Football Team through to final of Sisters n Sport National Cup!
Our Under 15 Football Team have qualified for the final of the Sisters n Sport National Cup, following a 4-2 win against Redbourne Upper School on Monday 20th June.
We are so proud of the team's performance this season and can't wait to see how they do in the final on Wednesday 22nd!
Year 7 Netball team take part in South Oxon Netball Tournament
Year 7 attended the South Oxon Netball Tournament at Wallingford School on Tuesday 15th March and secured themselves a well-deserved 5th place. The students played against 7 other teams from across South Oxfordshire, with the following students receiving Player of the Match throughout the games: Kamdi O, Zoe S, Rose H and Anna C. For some of these students it was their first ever netball match; for others it was their first representing DGS! The girls were phenomenal, and demonstrated some fantastic footwork, ball handing and general game knowledge. They adapted to playing in a variety of positions when needed and were a delight. Miss Slater could not have been more proud! Well done to all!
Under 16 Football Team crowned County Champions!
The U16 Football Team have been crowned County Champions after what will be for many of the students, the last match they play for the school!
Most of the students have been on the team since they joined the school in Year 7, and have played over 30 matches together, so it was an incredibly emotional and well-deserved end to their school football careers.
The team played exceptionally well - fit would be fair to say it was their best ever performance! It was so lovely to have so many parents, grandparents, friends and family supporting the girls and cheering them on.
The chairs of Oxfordshire FA and Oxfordshire Schools FA were complimentary about the girls' quality of football and sportsmanship.
Congratulations!
Success for Netball Teams!
On Tuesday 1st March, our Year 11 netball team played in the South Oxon Year 11 tournament against Wheatley Park and Wallingford schools. The girls were outstanding, demonstrating some high-level tactical play to secure the win in both matches. Their communication was on fire, as was their shooting and defending.
Charlotte Taylor was nominated Player of the Match, with Keira Shute and Steffi Harrison nominated as Coach's Player of the Match.
On Wednesday 2nd March, the U15/16 team travelled across to King Alfred's Academy for a versatility netball match. KA's were wonderful hosts and we could not be more proud of our girls and their gameplay. DGS secured the win and were phenomenal! They communicated and listened to one another, supporting each other through changing positions and made Miss Slater very proud. Well done to all who played!
Year 7 and 8 team win their first touch rugby game!
Year 7 and 8 recently had their first ever school touch rugby match against King Alfred's Academy. The team included a mixture of both experienced and inexperienced players who all played brilliantly. The girls displayed a dominant performance and were able to take home the win at the end of the match.
Tries were scored through Freya (2), Emily Amelia, Erin, Tegan-Louise (2), Ophile (2), Bella (2) and Liana (2). The player of the match was Freya who played exceptionally well in her first ever touch rugby game.
U13 Cricket Team place 3rd in Lady Taverners Competition
On Tuesday 1st February, the U13 Cricket Team travelled to Saint Helen and Saint Katherines for the Lady Taverners Competition
We played 5 games and won 3.
Our first game against Oxford High School saw some great bowling from Sahana, Sofia getting two players out, and Tina stumping a player out with some fantastically fast fielding!
Heading into the batting, we had some fantastic performances, including Imogen and Leila hitting the side and back walls to score 4s and a 6!
We won 96-93
The second and third games were against SHSK and Cranford House, both were hard games and there was some immense bowling from Sahana, Honey, Leila, Tina and Imogen who bowled out a number of players. Onto the batting and again Leila scored some great runs, Sofia showing some great batting skills and Sahana scoring some 4s and 6s.
The 4th game v Tudor Hall saw another win, with DGS winning 76 runs to Tudor Hall's 67. Evelyn demonstrated an amazing catch to get a player out and Rebecca hit some 6s - an amazing game!
Our final game was DGS v Bloxham; we won 64 to Bloxham’s 62. Again, there was amazing bowling from Honey, Imogen and Ella; Sahana caught two players out and Imogen bowled a player out. Into the batting and Tina, Imogen and Leila all scored high runs.
An amazing day had by all and the team were super pleased that they placed 3rd overall.
U19 Netball team take part in regional round
On Saturday 29th January, the Didcot Sixth Form U19s netball County winners played in the regional round in Southampton, and what an amazing day it was!
With an early start, the girls were prepped and eager to play netball and demonstrate their physical prowess on court, and their talents shone through!
The team finished 4th out of 6 teams in their category, winning two out of six games.
Their performance against two of the strongest teams in their category was second to none with a close finish against Wellington College at 11-10.
Miss Slater and Miss Edwards would also like to ‘shout out’ Rosie P (Year 13) for her outstanding leadership and captaincy of the team! Not only did she communicate successfully on court, but demonstrated empathy and determination off court to keep the girls motivated. A special thanks from Miss Slater for also bringing the girls together to train outside of school! You will be truly missed by all next year!
U15 Cricket team compete in Lady Taverners Competition
On Thursday 27th January, The U15 Cricket Team played at St Helen and St Katharine in the Lady Taverners Competition
The girls played fantastically and won three out of their five games with Emma getting three wickets in her last three bowls and ending on a hat-trick!
The day was full of excellent fielding, fast bowling and tactical batting. The results of the games were:
Oxford High 103 – DGS 92
Bloxham 35 – DGS 35
Cranford House 130 – DGS 85
SHSK 46 – DGS 87
Headington Girls 53 – DGS 90
U14 Football Team win 3-1 against Icknield Community College in the South Oxon League
On Wednesday 26th January, The U14 Football Team played in the South Oxon League away against Icknield Community College. The girls played exceptionally well and won the match 3-1. Goals were scored by Maddie K, Izzy B and finished with a penalty from Faye R.
Imogen in Year 11 gave up her own time and did a fantastic job as the official referee for the match.
U16 Football Team qualify for County Cup final!
The under 16 football team secured their place in the County Cup Final after a 2-1 win (AET) against a strong Cheney side.
DGS started off the stronger team, testing Cheney's goalkeeper early on but unable to convert any chances. However, this quickly changed and Cheney dominated across the pitch for the vast majority of the first half. Stand-in goalkeeper Grace Beardsley was exceptional in goal, denying Cheney on a number of occasions and dominating her box.
At half time, we knew we had to do more if we were going to earn our place in the final. While there were good individual performances we weren't linked up as a team.
We looked much more like ourselves during the second half, working together to close the ball down and distribute the ball quicker.
But in the 60th minute Cheney pounced on the counter-attack and slotted the ball into the corner to make it 1-0.
With 10 minutes left, it was time to gamble. We put Lily Norton in goal so we could unleash Grace Beardsley to her natural position of striker. Our gamble quickly paid off with some fantastic play from the midfield to our strikers before the ball got laid off to midfielder Amelia Stock to equalise. We quickly switched goalkeepers back and the score was 1-1 at the end of normal match time. With the light fading, we played 5 minutes each way of extra time. DGS dominated the first half, looking the more likely to score the win but nothing came of their efforts until the second half of extra time. With 3 minutes to go, Linda was brought down on the edge of the box. Up stepped the Queen of free kicks, Amelia Stock, who lobbed the goal keeper in her usual trademark fashion finishing the game 2-1 to DGS.
A huge congratulations to the squad:
Grace Beardsley, Freya Corcoran, Izzie Giesberg-Bamford, Imi Hooper, Sammy Beaton, Kira Ranxha, Amelia Stock, Summer Hawkins, Bethany Davies, Lily Norton, Linda Kahlari, Lily Black
We look forward now to the final; opposition team to be confirmed.
DGS teams compete in County Schools Netball Tournament
On Saturday 13th November, DGS attended the County Schools Netball Tournament at Central Venue in Oxford. DGS entered an U14, U16 and U19 team, and all played exceptionally well considering students were once again one of the only state schools to enter the competition! Each team played 14 minute games, back-to-back in the tournament, and demonstrated their endurance and resilience during each game.
The U16 team were up first with a 10am start on court 4. Throughout the tournament, the girls developed their game-play, changing positions to support one another, and taking on feedback from Miss Edwards and Miss Slater each game. Congratulations to Millie C, Charlotte L, Steffi H, Izzy T (Coach's player), Lottie R, Chloe T, Kiera S and Hollie J for their incredible levels of motivation throughout! The girls learnt a lot and will continue to apply everything to future games.
The afternoon saw the U14s and U19s enter the tournament, and what a busy afternoon it was! With a much bigger pool of schools and many more matches, the students really had to dig deep and use their inner strength to perform to the best of their abilities. The U14s were drawn against some challenging teams, but won two and lost two, leading them into the 3v3 play-offs and finishing 5th out of 9. Once again, all students listened superbly to feedback from Miss Slater before, during and after the games and applied their knowledge and demonstrated their phenomenal netball abilities in each game! A huge well done to Lili R, Poppy H, Alice C, Hannah S, Grace H, Chloe B (Coach's player), Luisa C (all year 9), and Katie W, Bella J, Ophile H, Ava W and Freya D (all Year 8) on your successes within the tournament.
For the U19s, a special shout-out and huge congratulations to the team who are through to the Regionals in January! Their true passion and excitement for the game shone throughout. Miss Edwards could not have been more proud of the girls as they showcased their athleticism and sports-womanship throughout the competition! It was commented on by so many other schools within the tournament how fantastic the team played together. Also a massive shout out to Grace H, Vicky B and Hannah W - all Year 10 - who were challenged by playing up into the age category against Year 12s and 13s! Also to Emma P and Charllotte T (Year 11) for really demonstrating such superb shooting prowess, just outstanding! To Rebecca A and Laura M - Year 12 - for bringing their flare to the centre court, and Rosie P - Year 13 - for being the most motivational and inspirational Captain to the team!
Pictured below are the U19 team in their new DGS Netball Kit, courtesy of Friends of DGS.
Student archer looks back on phenomenally successful outdoor season
The outdoor season more or less ended today for Archer Hannah Ackland-Snow, and what a way to finish. Yesterday, she passed her coaching assessment, becoming an official coach and now starts helping and encouraging new archers. She has clocked up well over 60hrs of coaching over the summer holidays as well as maintaining her own training and competing. She has coached everyone from 7 year-olds to a 67 year-old, as well as embracing the challenge of coaching someone profoundly deaf - all of which she approached with the same level of respect and enthusiasm.
On Sunday 19th September she ticked of her last goal of season and attended the UK Junior Masters Archery Competition, in which she performed beautifully: she went with a plan and stuck to it.
Hannah has learnt over this summer that goals are not always outcome-based and that those based on process can be far more rewarding and helpful. Some of her goals this season included: being a mentor to other archers, maintaining technical training, attending a GB selection shoot, understanding process, and learning to make a plan for each shoot and keeping to it regardless of outcome.
Even having such a full schedule and dragging her parents up and down the length and breadth of the country, Hannah has spent any free time with family and friends, and has, impressively, managed to stay on top of all her homework too!
In front of Hannah is the “off season” rather than indoor season. The “Off Season” is where the hard work is. The training will increase, the strength and conditioning work will increase, and technical work carries on at a faster pace, but, undoubtedly, she will attack this as she does everything - head-on.
