Celebrating A Year of Girls' Sport

On Thursday 4 May, Gilson House gathered in the evening for its annual Sports Dinner. It provides a chance to reflect on a year of girls' sport, celebrate achievements, and look forward to next year. Attended by the majority of Gilson House and by members of staff who have been involved throughout the year, it proved to be an enjoyable evening with a great atmosphere throughout.

The evening consisted of a three-course meal, a quiz on the year, and concluded with awards and speeches. The quiz was led by Girls' Sports Captain, Roisin Allen and featured questions on results, anecdotes and more from across all sports. A special thank you must also be added to Roisin who organised much of the evening including the quiz, meal, and decorations.

In her speech on the evening, Head of Girls' Sport Mrs Lovelock said: 

'This evening is all about celebrating this year as a whole within Girls’ Sport – it is really growing in reputation and success within the College; and this is all down to the enthusiasm and commitment from your coaches, umpires and from all of you as players. 

This all makes me very proud to be Head of Girls’ Sport here at Shiplake. I really hope hearing about all of this and hearing the re-caps from your captains makes you all feel proud of all you have done this year – whether you are leaving Shiplake in Year 13 and can look back on your broad sport experience from Shiplake, or whether you are in Year 12 and looking forward into next year and getting involved in even more to come.'

And, in their roundups of the year, the captains from each main sport paid tribute to the coaches with special mentions and thanks going to Mrs Neill, Miss James, Mr Cooper, and finally to Mrs Lovelock.

At the end of the awards, the Girls' Sport Captain for 2023-24 was announced, with this going to Grace Weedon. In her speech, Roisin Allen said:

'Grace is a great all-rounder and someone that is really respected by everyone in her year group. She has shown great commitment in sport, especially after volunteering to be our football goalkeeper without hesitation. I have no doubt she will encourage and lead those joining next year, and so I am delighted to be able to announce her as Girls' Sports Captain for 2023-24.'

Congratulations to the below pupils (and staff!) for receiving the following awards:

Rowing

• Most Improved Rower: Sophia McDavid and Emily Over  
• Rower of the Year: Jessica Weir  
• Coach’s Rower of the Year: Jessica Weir
• Colours: Jess Weir, Georgia Catlin, M Jackson, Phoebe Young

Hockey

• Most Improved Player: Robyn Pendlebury  
• Players' Player: Olivia Parkin  
• Coach’s Player: Roisin Allen  

Football  

• Most Improved Player (Year 12): Ella Dickson  
• Most Improved Player (Year 13): Saffron Goggins  
• Players' Player (Year 12): Lisanne Schoenmakers  
• Players' Player (Year 13): Tilly Firth  
• Coach’s Player: Ava Timms  

Netball

• A Team Most Improved Player: Martha Berry  
• A Team Players' Player: Abi Botterill  
• A Team Coach’s Player: Siena Di Cuffa     
• B Team Most Improved Player: Ella Dickson  
• B Team Players' Player: Lauren Stokes  
• B Team Coach’s Player: Robyn Pendlebury  
• C Team Most Improved Player: Emily Morris  
• C Team Players' Player: Emily Flower  
• C Team Coach’s Player: Jessica Pallett 

Special Awards

• Girls' Sport Colours: Izzy Wood, Esme Young, Martha Berry, Roisin Allen, Eve Browne, Tilly Firth, Siena Di Cuffa, Annabelle Townsend
• All Rounder Award: Eve Browne 
• Sportswoman of the Year Award: Tilly Firth 
• Lucky Charm Award: Mr Brown
• Biggest Cheerleader Award: Mr Johnston
• Loudest Shiplake Girls' Football 'Hooligan': Mr Howe
• Glue of The Team: Mrs Lovelock

Flickr album: Gilson Sports Dinner 2023 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin