AN OTLEY school has celebrated the ‘outstanding’ sporting achievements of its students.

Prince Henry’s Grammar School had to switch to a virtual format for its annual Sports Awards ceremony this year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic a physical ceremony couldn’t go ahead so the school recreated the whole format of the evening online.

The resulting video has been shared on its website and showcases the successes of pupils in Years 7 to 10 over the past year.

Although there could be no awards this time for the summer sports of athletics, rounders and cricket, the ceremony celebrated achievements in cross country, boys’ and girls’ football and rugby, netball, dance, badminton, swimming, table tennis and rowing.

And as well as the awards for top performances the event also recognised the determination and resilience shown by many pupils through its Spirit of Henry’s awards.

PE Faculty Leader Dave Curtis, speaking in the awards video, said: “Obviously things are slightly different; the normal format isn’t possible but we felt it was really important to make sure that we went ahead and praised those students that have either shown such an incredible attitude throughout the year towards sport or have done really well in terms of successes.

“It’s one of our favourite events of the year.

“I hope that in the new year we’ll be able to present you with the trophies that you deserve and have earned in assembly at some point.”

He went on to praise the achievements of the school’s sports teams, particularly in netball, football and rugby, along with individuals including ‘some really talented athletes in gymnastics, equestrian, golf, hockey, netball, boys and girls football, boys and girls rugby, rowing, cross-country, fell running, cycling, golf..the list goes on’.

He added: “There are so many incredible achievements and so many incredible performances from some of our young people at either local, regional, national and actually international level.

“We wanted to make the effort to celebrate the outstanding commitment to sport and the exceptional performances of so many of our students here at Prince Henry’s.

“We know the sporting year was cut short, but we hope you can enjoy this montage of videos and pictures and the various awards given.

“Well done to everyone that has been involved in sport this year, not just the prize winners, and thanks to the various staff and coaches who do such a wonderful job giving the students these opportunities.”

The top awards for all round participation, the Caroline Tiernan Contribution to School Sport Awards, are presented in memory of PE Teacher Caroline Tiernan who died in 2018. This year they were won by Bronwyn Sneath and Freddie Roden.

The Teams of the Year were the Year 9 netball team, who won the Leeds Invitational Tournament, and the Year 9 Rugby Team, winners of the Yorkshire Cup.