Athletics is a physical and mental challenge that puts an individual against other individuals; Sportshall athletics is different. There are no individual titles to be won, instead a team competes against other teams to score more points in a series of indoor track and field events.

The Wilnecote School Year 7 Girls have been training as a team since October, attending club sessions regularly with everyone learning every event. With fitness levels rising and experience being gained they successfully negotiated the District round winning through to the County Championships in Stoke to represent Tamworth.

The squad of 8 athletes prepared themselves for the challenge, by competing against the boys and other year groups. Encouraged by their success confidence was growing as the finals drew closer.

Experience has taught the team, that they all needed to perform at their full potential, to gain as many points as possible in all 12 events; but after the news that illness meant a team member was unable to compete, nerves and doubts were starting to creep in.

Using their training session results, a quick re-jig of the team meant that several members had to fill the gaps and compete in less familiar events.

The girls showed their true talent across each event and scored the highest points in the county; resulting in winning the county title, a stunning trophy and an individual medal for each athlete. The girls truly deserved this success and have proved that it is true … practice does make perfect.

What was the secret to their success? Everyone in the team was as important as the next. The girls worked with resilience, digging in hard when training got tough and showed persistence to master technique and apply the appropriate race tactics.

This is a team that showed that hard work and dedication does pay off and that supporting each other does lead to success. We are very proud of their achievement and can’t wait to see what these girls can do over the next few months as athletics competitions restart after Easter.

Are they proud? Oh yes, most of them still carry their medals around in their school bag!

Well done to the whole squad and congratulations from everyone at The Wilnecote School.

Team Members: Chloe Bishop, Lydia-Grace Blaney, Brooke Burton, Kaitlyn Childs, Elizabeth Edwards, Lottie McLaren, Millie Watton.

“The girls showed their true talent across each event and scored the highest points in the county; resulting in winning the county title, a stunning trophy and an individual medal for each athlete. The girls truly deserved this success and have proved that it is true … practice does make perfect.“