Football comes home for school
While England failed to win the World Cup, a Sunderland school still has plenty of football success to celebrate.
The teams from Bernard Gilpin Primary School have enjoyed fantastic football success with teams winning a huge haul of trophies.
The A Team won the Lambton and Hetton league, the nine-a-side Watson Cup, the Robinson Family Shield, and the Alan Grimes Memorial Trophy, otherwise known as the County Cup.
It was the first time in its history the County Cup has been won by a school in Houghton.
This is in addition to the A Team being Sunderland seven-a-side league champions.
The B Team are also the Lambton and Hetton League and Cup winners and the Girls’ Team made this a double – also winning the Hetton and Lambton League and cup.
Teacher David Winter, said: “Our philosophy is simple, all children participate in sport from Reception to Year 6 and practice skills on a weekly basis.
“Over the weeks and months of practice this leads to sporting excellence so the teams’ achievements are very much attributed to the active participation of the children over many years.”
The children also take part in Futsal lessons each week and football after school clubs are overwhelmingly popular.
Bernard Gilpin Primary School also has a master trainer for SAQ (Speed, Agility, Quickness) in house ensuring the children’s movement and fitness are highly effective for game time.
Headteacher, Andrew Bainbridge, said: “I am very grateful for all the efforts that many staff put into this area of our school and I am very proud of the children’s positive attitude towards sport and of course, their recent achievements which are well deserved.
“I would also like to thank parents and carers for their great support.”
Outside of school many of the children are involved in football. Lewis Sayers plays for Hartlepool Academy whilst Rosa Bainbridge and Amelia Winlow play for Durham Regional Talent Centre for girls.
As a reward for all their hard work the teams from Bernard Gilpin had the chance to play on the pitch at Newcastle United and Ash Randall, freestyle football world record holder, visited the school to showcase his skills.
Ash also taught the children some of his moves and while there made a film with them to show off their amazing talents.
“Our philosophy is simple, all children participate in sport” DAVID WINTER