The autumn term kicked off with a welcome buzz of sports and activities at The British School in The Netherlands Senior School campuses.
Fixtures and recreational clubs have taken centre stage (or field, in this case)!
Some of the BSN Senior School students have had the chance to compete against other schools in football, tennis, hockey and volleyball with matches against the American School of The Hague (ASH), International School of The Hague (ISH) and the International School of Amsterdam (ISA).
Football Focus
Under-12, 14, 16 and 18 level teams from Senior School Voorschoten (SSV) have represented the school in football fixtures. In fact, one of the highlights of the year so far was the first-ever under-14s girls' football fixture. Our team beat ISH 8-1. One of the under-14 girls' football team players said,
Perseverance has really helped this team. When we come together, we have fun and support each other. I love the energy the girls brought to the pitch in the match against ISH, and we really encouraged each other to keep going.
SSV students have had the opportunity to learn from football Coach Ashleigh Gilligan. Ashleigh will continue to work with students with the inauguration of the BSN SSV Football Academy in November 2021. Key Stage 3 students will have the chance to develop their football skills whilst exploring strength and conditioning and other areas of football. Whether students play for the BSN football team or an external club, what they learn in the Academy will help strengthen their play.
This season, Coach Gilligan is happy to have BSN CEO Heath Monk as Assistant Coach for the Under-18s team. Heath said,
It has been great to be back on the football field, working with Ashleigh to support football training. It's a pleasure to see the teamwork, skills and stamina of our students in action on the pitch!
During the first half-term, football was the House activity at SSV, so most students got to practise and work on their skills and enjoy playing matches. Congratulations to Leiden and Gouda! Leiden was victorious in both the girls and boys Key Stage 3 competition, and Gouda won the girls and boys Key Stage 4 competition.
At Senior School Leidschenveen (SSL), The under junior and senior football teams started the season on the right foot! They walked away with two wins against SSV and ISH, respectively. Well done!
Serving up Volleyball
Volleyball has been hugely successful, and the club continues to go from strength to strength. SSV regularly fields six teams across different age groups, and over 60 students regularly attend senior and junior sessions. The volleyball club will continue throughout the year, providing opportunities for students to compete with each other and develop their skills. The club will be ready for fixtures and competitions next year.
The Scoop from the Hockey Pitch
So far, SSV students have competed in hockey fixtures in the Dutch league and against local rivals, ISH. Massive congratulations to the MA6 for winning their autumn league. Three other teams have also been training hard and making excellent progress in their respective leagues.
This year, the BSN will host an Autumn Hockey Tournament with ISH and the International School in Brussels, participating alongside the BSN under-18s and under-16s teams.
Time for Tennis
For the first time in over a decade, tennis fixtures took place. The BSN hosted late autumn fixtures against ISH and ASH. Everyone was grateful that the weather held out, and all matches were played.
We are looking forward to the launch of a BSN SSV Tennis Academy later this term.
BSN Basketballers
Basketball fixtures have begun, and SSV teams continue to enter Dutch club competitions. The school basketball season will start in November with fixtures against ASH, ISH, ISA and several other international schools in Germany and Belgium, culminating in the ISAA Basketball tournament that the BSN will host in March 2022.
Senior School Students Stay Active
Alongside the competitive teams, it's been fantastic to see the enthusiasm for afterschool and lunchtime club activities. At SSV, netball, running, touch rugby, swimming, table tennis, judo, indoor cricket, recreational hockey, Latin dancing, self-defence, tennis, badminton, fencing and frisbee club have kept students busy! Meanwhile, at SSL, students are busy with badminton, basketball, gymnastics, and football clubs.
More clubs will begin in November and the new year if these clubs aren't of interest. Students, stay tuned!
