North East Sporting College of the Year
QE has been named North East College of the year for 2009 by British Colleges Sport. The award is in recognition of the College’s contribution to all aspects of sport in the region.
QE participated in almost all regional competitions in 14 different sports throughout the year with over 120 students competing at this level. Much success was enjoyed with a record 38 students winning their respective regional titles in 10 events across 8 different sports, giving them the opportunity to represent the region at the National Sport Finals at Loughborough University.
At Loughborough, champions from 7 regions in England plus Wales and Scotland competed in 14 different sports to determine the British national champions. More than 2500 young people took part in the championships and 6 QE students came away with 8 medals in 3 different events. In trampolining, Gareth Lee and Callum Braines won gold as part of the north-east winning team; in the girls’ doubles table-tennis, Laura Whaley and Katie McTague won bronze; in the pool, Emma Willson won 2 silver medals in the 50m and 100m breaststroke and, as part of the north-east swim team that finished second, Emma and Laura Bailey came away with silver medals.
In national trials, 18 QE students were selected to represent the North East region at national trials. A further 6 students were then selected for England squads - Rachel McKnight in football, Rachel Dauber in netball and Nick Baldwin, Katherine Hobson, Lauren Morgan and Amber Hyde in rugby. QE teams also participated in British Colleges Sport national cup competitions, with the netball team reaching the quarter finals.
PE teacher Mark Scott comments:
“To be named College of the year is a fantastic achievement – the North East region is extensive, running from Northumberland down to South Yorkshire so the competition was fierce! We had a great amount of success last year but as well as this, the award is also to recognise the fact that QE always participates in competitions - even when we have no chance of winning. Our students are also renowned for their sportsmanship and fair play.”
January 19, 2010