Collyers sports stars of 2020 are rewarded
The winners of the annual Collyer’s Sports Awards have been recognised for their 2019-20 achievements at the Ofsted outstanding-rated college.
Overall, Collyer’s played nearly 200 fixtures this season at the U18 competitive age group, and this would not have been possible without a dedicated team of coaches, administrative staff, drivers and all the officials. Although the various college leagues were not completed, there has still been much to celebrate, with each sport awarding respective ‘Player of the Year’ and ‘Most Improved Player’ awards.
Head of Collyer’s Sport Academy John Burroughs said: “The prizewinners regularly attended training, in addition to demonstrating superb teamwork, leadership and skills in their chosen sport. It is important that we reward students for application, as well as the outstanding ability they have demonstrated over the year.
“When we are able, we will present these prizes in person to our talented athletes.”
The Most Improved Player (MIP) for men’s basketball went to Tom Kent, while Muhammad Mrisho was delighted to pick up the Player of the Year (POY) award. In women’s football, Anna Willis (POY) and Amber Hawkins (MIP) came away with the honours, while men’s first team POY was awarded to Christian Burgess, with the MIP prize won by Matt Dunningham.
The men’s football second team prize for POY was picked up by Jack Doran, with Tom Jewell winning the MIP prize.
The women’s hockey MIP award went to Hayden Price, with POY to Eloise Richards.
In men’s hockey, prizes went to Harry Mariner (POY) and Luke Portman (MIP). Izzy Anderson (first team) and Maisie Fitzsimmons (second team) walked away with the POY women’s netball prizes; MIP women’s netball awards went to Aimee Bromfield (first team) and Ami Finnegan (second team).
The women’s rugby POY award went to Zenia D’Arcy, while Pippa Balcombe picked up the MIP award. The men’s rugby MIP award went to Oli Sharp, Ben Saunders was delighted to win the POY prize.
In terms of the individual awards, Burroughs explained: “It was very difficult to award an Individual Sports Person of the Year due to Alexandra Costa and Calista Muna from tennis, and Will Mitchell and Oli Thorne from table tennis, all reaching the National Championships. This award has therefore been split between the four, who all did fantastically well!”
In addition, the college once again boasted excellent coaches on the Academy Programme, with many getting involved in weekly coaching at local primary schools and clubs, as well as being ever-present at the district’s primary school competitions.
Coach of the Year was awarded to Jasmine Mamoany for being such a great role model to young people with an incredible work ethic.
The final award saw Collyer’s basketball team, AOC South East Regional Champions crowned Team of the Year, for the second year in a row.
Collyer’s deputy principal Steve Martell said: “Well done to all of the students and their brilliant teachers and coaches. We have a golden generation coming through and hope that our sporting successes can continue when the new season starts.”
Principal Sally Bromley said: “Massive thanks to our great coaching team and our superb athletes. These students are incredible young men and women and we are hugely proud of them.”
Burroughs added: “We are also extremely grateful for the help of the Collyer’s Senior Management Team. Sally and Steve are passionate about sport and are incredibly supportive.”
Collyer’s Head of Faculty for Business, Sport and Social Sciences James Gordon said: “We owe enormous thanks to the indefatigable John Burroughs for widening participation so wonderfully at Collyer’s. We are certainly attracting elite players from across the region and our sports academies in basketball, football, netball and rugby have grown enormously popular.”