Private School News

England Sweep

Three Dean Close pupils have this week achieved the highest sporting accolade – to be selected for the England team in their various sports.

Abi Porter is 15 years old and has just secured a place in the England U16 hockey team, having gone through various junior and regional performance camps. Abi, a Sports Scholar, plays centre forward in the Dean Close 1st XI. She was due to go on hockey tour with the School to South Africa next summer but is unable to go due to her new England commitments. These fixtures will include matches against top European sides such as Germany, Holland and Spain.

Sophie Watkiss has secured a place in the England U20 Rugby team, having gained her experience with the Worcester Warriors. She is also a Sports Scholar, in her final year and is the Dean Close 1st XI Hockey captain. She toured Holland with the 1st XI hockey team in September this year.

Tom Pinnegar, a Sports Scholar and also our Head of School, currently trains with Cannock Hockey Club, one of the top teams in the country, and played a key role in Dean Close’s winning of the 2009 National U18 Hockey Championships. After a rigorous selection process this autumn, Tom made the cut for the England U18 squad and cannot wait for his first cap when he becomes an international. He is particularly looking forward to travelling, which will give him the chance to see another country and visit a different culture. “I’m keen to play against a team that doesn’t speak the same language as I do” said Tom. His ambition is to move on to the U 21 category, then the England Seniors and his ultimate goal is to play for Great Britain in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janiero. Watch this space!

Headmaster, Jonathan Lancashire, said: “These are all exceptional achievements. We are thrilled that their talent and incredible dedication have been recognised at such a high level. The experience of competing in international competitions cannot be underestimated and we look forward to the rewards that this experience will in turn bring back to the School.”