Dulwich College’s 1st XV rugby team capped off a spectacular 2012 with one more trophy at the Aviva School Sport Matters Awards.
SILVERWARE has not been in short supply for Dulwich College’s 1st XV rugby team this year and they capped off a spectacular 2012 with one more trophy at the Aviva School Sport Matters Awards.
The team went to Lord’s on Wednesday and scooped the national award for Team of the Year, presented by London 2012 Paralympic 400m silver medallist Paul Blake.
The team got to also rub shoulders with a host of Olympic and Paralympic legends past and present – including Jessica Ennis, Sarah Storey, Christine Ohuruogu and Duncan Goodhew.
Dulwich had a season to remember and were among the favorites to pick up an award.
Conceived in 2004 – the Aviva School Sport Matters Awards recognise fantastic achievement in school sport over the past year and forms part of Aviva’s commitment to unearth the next generation of British sporting talent.
And the team’s master in charge of rugby Sam Howard, who has been at the school for the past four years, was not short of words of praise for his squad.
“I have to say that in my time here there is no doubt that this has been the best team that I have coached,” he said.
“We won the two biggest tournaments that we entered this season, the St Joseph’s 7s tournament and then the Daily Mail U18 Cup in the XV-a-side game as well.
“We have some unbelievably talented boys at this school in my time who have gone on to play for England in age group rugby so in terms of skill there have probably been teams that have been stronger than this one.
“But none of them have matched this one for team spirit, not even close, and we are delighted to have won this award to recognise the team’s amazing achievements.
“You never expect to win an award obviously, but this team have had such a fantastic season that we came here knowing that we might have a chance.
“And to come away with the win is a fantastic moment for these guys and for the school and richly deserved for a great team.”
And Dulwich College’s rugby team were not the only local success story from the awards as Marilyn Walker, who lives in East Dulwich, was also highly commended in the School Sport Teacher of the Year category for her tireless work as director of sport at Alleyn’s School.
But despite being centre of attention at the home of English cricket, Walker was quick to admit that she has some very hard workers that also deserve praise.
“I think the award is not just a reflection on my work but on the work so many people do,” she said.
“The school is really supportive in letting me go and organise hockey clubs, athletics and swimming meets so it is a great relationship.
“Just seeing how many kids were involved in sport this past year was such a highlight. We had our highest number involved in London schools athletics and our junior hockey club is now over 300 members.
“I am very involved with Tulse Hill & Dulwich Hockey Club and where we have over 300 young players aged 16 and below and we are trying to get more people involved behind the scenes with officiating, coaching and organisation.”
The Aviva and Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards recognise outstanding achievements in school sport across the country, and are part of Aviva’s wider commitment to support the next generation of British sporting talent. For more information go to aviva.co.uk/rugby-sponsorship
Follow us @SW_Londoner
