Annual sports dinner recognises excellence and endeavour

The sporting community at KES gathered together last week to celebrate sporting excellence and endeavour. 

Special guest at the evening was Rugby Union player and OE, Guy Mercer.  Guy was KES 1st XV captain in the 2007/8 season in his 3rd year playing at 1st XV level.  He was very much someone who led from the front; an inspirational player and leader. From school Guy then moved to Bath Rugby Academy deferring his entry to UCL. Promotion to the first team squad followed for the 2011/12 season and in the 2016/17 season Guy was named club captain - an achievement that he stated was ‘a huge honour’.  Director of Rugby Todd Blackadder said at the time: "Guy is a terrific player who knows Bath Rugby inside and out, which is an invaluable resource in a captain. He works tremendously hard both on and off the pitch and it is that work ethic, combined with his personality, which has earned him the respect of his team and the supporters.”

Guy finished his career at Bath having played 123 games for the club he grew up watching and supporting.

During the evening Guy presented prizes to the sports men and women at KES and talked about his time playing professional rugby.  David Hacker, Director of Sport at KES, noted that,” Guy’s passion and enthusiasm for KES shone through, as did the School’s role in giving Guy the building blocks to be successful.  It was a lovely message for our talented Year 13 cohort to hear and take away with them.”

After speeches the awards ceremony took place, with individuals being nominated and recognised for their considerable commitment to sport at KES. The following pupils were recipients of this year’s awards.

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR – GEORGE FREEMAN

George has committed a great deal to sport at KES, representing the School at 1st team level across all three terms. At the start of the rugby season there were high expectations of what George could contribute to the team; he did not disappoint.  Proving equally influential playing on the blind side or in the second row, George has been a key member of the driving lineout and destructive in defence. He epitomises the honest attitude that a KES 1st XV player should have and his work rate around the field is excellent. In hockey George has been an outstanding goalkeeper for the Boys’ 1st XI hockey team. 1st XI Captain for the 2019 season, George led with great determination and a positive spirit. He’s worked very hard on the technical aspects of goalkeeping and has proven to be agile and aggressive around the circle, dominating opposition forwards. Versatility is the name of the game when it comes to describing George’s impact on the cricket club. He has often deputised for Charley behind the stumps and stabilised the middle order when batting over the last two seasons.

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR – EMMA JONES

Emma is a key player in every school team and has been throughout her career at KES. No A team or 1st team has been without Emma. Her commitment to school sport has been exceptional, always playing with total dedication and proud to be wearing her KES kit.  Emma has played a crucial role in the 1st team netball squad this season, with her tireless work rate and ability to read the game being key attributes. Emma has attended National Finals and numerous Regional Finals through her KES career. In her many years as Head of Netball Mrs Gwilliam notes, “I would struggle to name a centre who has had such a consistent impact.” In hockey Emma has been an outstanding and versatile player for the 1st XI hockey team for the last 3 years. She has been able to play in virtually any position, but this year has been a dominant force in midfield, working tirelessly both in defence and attack. She never appears flustered or under pressure and has been a fantastic role model for any young player at the School. In many ways she could be excused for taking a breather in the Summer Term, but not Emma, who has represented the School for many years, possessing, Miss Young notes, a killer serve!

SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR (MALE) – BEN STRINGER

You get what you see with Ben. His no nonsense, thoughtful approach to everything that he does makes him a firm favourite with both coaches and players alike. In rugby he has had a fantastic season and proved himself to be one of the strongest captains that we have had in the 1st XV.  Ben has played a significant role in ensuring that all team members continue to move forward together, with his mature and pertinent comments and interaction with both coaches and peers. Ben leads from the front on the field, with exemplary effort and execution. Mr Lilley notes, ‘Ben has made great progress in his position as open side flanker and he has more than held his own and been influential in every match played. In the future any University side will be lucky to have him!’ The hockey season was no different; as always Ben has displayed a hugely positive and determined attitude on the pitch and he has been a great leader in the heart of the defence.  Ben has been an inspirational figure to those around him and a vital member of the squad in what has been a highly successful 2019 season.

SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR (FEMALE) – ROSIE COLLETT

Rosie is a KES sportswoman through and through with her passion and love for all sport. An A team player throughout her many years at KES, netball has been a particular passion but in recent years Rosie’s hockey has made significant progress, showing a real attacking flare. Rosie’s calm personality has been a key attribute, but her desire to win, where nothing else is good enough is perhaps the legacy she leaves behind. Rosie is a must in any team as she pushes the expectations of herself and others to the next level.

LANG JONES AWARD FOR SPORTING SPIRIT – MATTHEW WEST

The Lang Jones Award is presented to an individual or individuals that Lang Jones would have loved to have worked with and is for sporting spirit. This individual will have shown great endeavour, commitment and a loyalty across several sports. Matt, this year’s winner, epitomises what representing KES is all about.

RECOGNITION OF SPORTING EXCELLENCE AWARDS

A new award to reflect the development, expertise and progression of a pupil in a chosen sport.

MILLIE PEARCE

Millie Pearce joined KES in the Sixth Form with strong netball credentials and she has not failed to deliver and develop her netball talents whilst at KES. The tour to South Africa was her first experience of KES netball, where she quickly gelled within the squad. She has been to two Regional Finals and played a key role in the continued successes of the netball squad. She has played Regional and National League Netball for Team Bath but perhaps her biggest accolade has been her selection for the U19 NPL Team Bath Squad since 2016. If any of you have been lucky enough to watch Millie play you will have been impressed by her speed, skill and athleticism.

CHARLEY REED

Charley has been a main stay of the senior 1st XI cricket programme for the last four years, captaining the team for the last two. He has played in over 75 matches for the team, amassing over 1500 runs, approaching 76 catches, and 22 stumpings.  He has a thoughtful and calm outlook which suggests he has the psychological capabilities to perform at the highest level. Charley has been with the Somerset Cricket Academy for the last 3 seasons and has played in a number of matches for the Somerset 2nd XI, showcasing his skills and playing alongside England cricketers such as Marcus Trescothick and Dom Bess. As he prepares to leave school we wish him all the very best in his quest to become a first class cricketer.

JACK BERTINET

Jack has grown into a fantastic rugby player and enjoyed an outstanding final season with us. He returned to school in August with skills and fitness that were at a significantly higher level, and he has impressed the coaching team with his work rate and influence around the field. As one of the School’s most destructive ball carriers, Jack sets the platform for our attaching structure, and through his pace and physicality he has helped to impose our defence on the opposition. There is no doubt that he is driven to follow a pathway in rugby and he was fully involved with the Bath RFC Academy projecting him into the top bracket of players in the country.

Mr Lilley notes, “Jack has been an absolute pleasure to coach for the last three seasons, and he leaves a big hole to fill next season.”

SPORTING EXCELLENCE AWARD – MAX OJOMOH

Max has had a superb final year of rugby here at KES. After two good seasons in the 1st XV, it was interesting to see how he would improve and add to his game.  His ability to influence matches with a deft touch, a side step or a probing kick have made him a real game changer at all levels. Some of his performances over the past 3 years have been simply stunning, and we are delighted that all his hard work has resulted in his signing a professional contract with Bath Rugby. He has also realised his boyhood dream after achieving his first international cap for England against France at U18 level. Mr. Lilley would like to thank Max for all he has done for KES rugby over the years and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for him.