SPORTS PRESENTATION EVENING 2024 | Rainhill High School

SPORTS PRESENTATION EVENING 2024

RAINHILL High School celebrated its pupils’ fantastic sporting achievements at its annual Sports Presentation Evening with special guest, Jodie Cunningham - captain for St Helens Women’s RLFC.

PROUD FAMILIES GATHER FOR SPORTS AWARD CEREMONY

Proud families gathered as Jodie Cunningham presented students with trophies, celebrating their achievements across a wide range of sports, including football, netball, athletics, cricket, gymnastics, dance, boxing, and rugby.

In keeping with Rainhill High School’s commitment to valuing every student, Mr. Michael Wood, Head of PE, made it a point to recognize each participant. He reminded the audience that "success in sport is not just about winning medals, but about the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the character built along the way."

He encouraged the students to "continue to embrace the spirit of excellence, both on and off the field."

This year, the prestigious 'Overall Sports Girl' and 'Overall Sports Boy' awards were presented to Chloe Gallagher and Josh Hughes, respectively, in recognition of their outstanding contributions both on and off the pitch.

The Colin Charters Award for Sportsmanship was awarded to Sam Turner, who was praised for his "incredible resolve, amazing attitude, and always putting his team first."

Following Mr. Wood’s acknowledgments, England Rugby League captain Jodie Cunningham congratulated the students on their accomplishments and shared inspiring stories from her rugby career. She highlighted the ongoing progress in women’s sports on national and international stages and expressed her excitement at seeing so many aspiring female athletes in the room.

"School sports have always been a passion of mine," Jodie said. "You never know if you’re inspiring the next Olympian or a future star in a sport they’ve yet to try."

Jodie also emphasized the importance of celebrating the achievements of students and their families: "Being part of this event and hearing about the incredible sports opportunities at Rainhill High School has been truly inspirational. It’s clear that the passion of the staff deeply influences the students and the community. The entire evening has been incredibly uplifting."

Francesca Dykes-Swindell, a member of the girls’ Year 9/10 football team, echoed Jodie’s sentiments, crediting the success of the team to their dedicated coaches: "It's been amazing to see how far we've come, and our successes are largely due to fantastic coaches like Miss Sumner. Women’s football has progressed so much, and it's an exciting time to be part of the game."

Rainhill Principal Josie Thorogood expressed her pride in the students: "Tonight’s celebrations are a testament to our talented PE team and their promotion of a culture of 'excellence and sportsmanship' here at Rainhill."

She extended her gratitude to the parents and carers for their support and enthusiastic cheers on the sidelines, and thanked Jodie Cunningham for her inspiring words. "Together, we must ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience a wide range of sports, promote active and healthy lifestyles, and support positive mental health. I am also deeply grateful to our school community for encouraging our pupils to embrace every aspect of school life."