First-Time Entrants Springwood Lift County Sevens Title

​Rugby players at a Lynn school were facing the new season with confidence, after winning the Norfolk County Under-18 Rugby Sevens competition.

The Sixth Form team from Springwood High School triumphed in the contest despite being new to the format, winning against Reepham High School in the final, which was held at Gresham’s School.

“Highlights of the game included players from Springwood playing for Reepham, who had sustained injuries and couldn’t play, at their suggestion,” said Staff Coach Chloe Lister, who is Head of Health and Social Care at the school, and worked with the team alongside Head Coach Seth Charlesworth.

“It was the first time that Springwood had taken part in the competition,” she explained. “Each member of the team got pitch time on a new format of the game they were playing, as we had never played sevens before.

“The players received the Under-18 Sevens County Plate, which has now been engraved with the school’s name.”

Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, celebrated the team’s success with a special awards ceremony, complete with pizza and individual prize certificates.

Those receiving additional honours included Captain’s Player of the Year, Finlay Russell; Forward Player of the Year, Ben Tennant; Back Player of the Year, Theo Morrell; and Coach’s Player of the Year, Chris Tooley; while Rhodri Jordan was named Staff Coach’s Player of the Year; Kip Charlesworth was Team’s Player of the Year; Lukas Miskinis won Try of the Year; and a second accolade went to Finlay, as Most Improved Player of the Year.

Among the other key members of the winning team were Captain Barney Kivlin and Vice Captain Thomas LaRoiya, along with Zack Collins, Pacey Phelps, Rocky Dawe, Reuben Lloyd-Jackson, Caleb Stoker, Callum Bristow, Dominik Hoyza, and Harry Skinner.

“I’ve always enjoyed watching the sport, and watching some of my other family members play is what got me into playing the sport, which is when I discovered my love for it,” said Pacey.

“I play because of the teamwork it brings out in people, and the feeling you get when, even if we lose, you know you played well, and the other teams acknowledge the areas in which you are better, and vice versa, creating a wonderful sort of sportsmanship that you don’t see in other sports.”

“I started playing rugby in Year 7,” added Thomas. “Since then I’ve joined a club and won a county title under my captaincy.

“My journey has seen me narrowly miss out on a school county title, but this year I’m determined to change that. I’m aiming to lead the team to become the best state school team in Norfolk for rugby.

“It has been an exciting journey so far, and I’m looking forward to ending my final year of A-Levels with a title that both I and Springwood can be proud of.”

While a dozen of the boys remain at Springwood for the coming season, the school is currently recruiting new players to join the Sixth Form rugby team.

“Rugby is important at Springwood, as it is a highly inclusive sport that welcomes everyone, regardless of size and previous knowledge,” continued Miss Lister. “It helps to develop so many different skills for students, both physically and socially. It creates a bond amongst the team, whilst helping students to learn respect and self-discipline in a highly competitive and high-speed environment.

“The school community gets behind the team and helps show the amazing wider support we have as a school, especially at home matches when we have home supporters, and some away matches, when we have students travel to come and support us at away fixtures.

“We also have a lot of rugby success in the lower years, with our under-15 boys’ team being the current State School Champions, so it’s nice to see that love of the sport spread into the higher years.”