SOUTH AFRICA'S YOUNG RUGBY STARS VISIT CHS - 16th June

Students learn from South Africa’s young rugby stars

 

 

Five of South Africa’s next generation of rugby union stars provided students at Congleton High School with a rugby masterclass on Thursday (16 June).

The Junior Spingboks are currently competing in the World Rugby Under-20 Championships in Manchester and booked a place in the semi-finals with a 40-31 victory over France on Wednesday night.

Fresh from securing a semi-final spot, vice-captain Junior Pokomela, winger Mosolwa Mafuma, prop Kwenzo Blose, lock Eduard Zandberg and scrumhalf Marco Janse van Vuren all took time out from their busy schedule to share their knowledge and passion for the sport with close to 80 CHS students.

The South African’s led a training session for the students where they taught the pupils a range of rugby skills and participated in a series of touch rugby matches. Their visit to Congleton also coincided with South Africa’s Youth Day.

Speaking to the South African rugby's official website, Pokomela said: “Youth Day is an important day in South Africa’s history, so it was special for us to mark the occasion by spending the morning with the Congleton High School pupils. We may be far away from home, but it was important for us to celebrate the day, especially since we also represent the South African youth.”

South Africa play England on Monday (20 June) at Manchester City’s Academy Stadium for a place in the final in what promises to be an entertaining and enthralling game of rugby that sees CHS’ loyalties split!

Written by Adam Bailey

2016 BARCELONA TOUR - May 2016

Unforgettable days of sport and fun in the Spanish sunshine

 

There are many sporting enrichment opportunities offered to students at Congleton High School, but not all trips provide unforgettable days of sport and fun both on and off the field in glorious Spanish sunshine.

But over sixty students experienced just that on a fun-filled sports tour to Barcelona during half-term. The school’s football and netball teams developed their skills during training and fixtures and had the added bonus of experiencing a different culture and exploring the iconic city of Barcelona.

After what turned out to be a mammoth coach journey (24 hours, 20 minutes to be precise) following air strikes in Europe forced the PE department to change their travel plans at the last minute, the staff and students enjoyed glorious weather and an action packed three days.

Not only did CHS have to adapt to the climate, but also the sporting culture and style that Spanish teams are renowned for. The “tiki-taka” style of play (short passing and movement, while maintaining possession) was a very different sort of contest than what they were used to back home in Cheshire playing against other local schools and local clubs.

CHS more than held their own, though, in what were, as expected, very competitive games. Year 8 particularly impressed and were reminiscent of FC Barcelona in an emphatic 4-0 victory in their second fixture with a brilliant performance to match. Off the pitch, The “Congy Ultras” were in fine voice supporting CHS’ boys and girls from the stands as can be seen here.

Meanwhile, CHS’ netballers participated in training sessions with England Netball qualified staff, who said that they “really enjoyed” working with the students because of the “high standard” of coaching and discipline the students have received back home, which is a testament to the PE department. They also took part in fixtures against local Spanish teams and modelled their new kit.

As well as the sporting fixtures, the students also experienced the Spanish culture including a day in Barcelona visiting the vibrant La Rambla, a Segway tour of the city and of course no football tour would be complete without a visit to the iconic Nou Camp stadium, home to Barcelona.

Written by Adam Bailey