On Thursday year 7 & 8 girls travelled to New River Sports Centre to take put in the first ever Alessia Russo Cup. Upon arrival the girls were instructed to change into their Adidas branded kit that they had been given and was also introduced to the different events and opportunities that would be available to them across the day. The girls started the day playing three games back to back. Playing a different format of 5-a-side, meant the girls took the first game to understand how fast the game was and how to use the space they had effectively.

Across the three games Katelyn, Amelia, Jo and Elisa put in some great attacking performances. Naomi, Abi, Perran and Bella kept the defence strong putting in some vital tackles. Cheyenne has to be mentioned for her outstanding performance in goal for our final match. She made so many saves during the game and the opposing team were applauding her performance.

After their games, the rest of the day was filed with other opportunities for the girls to take part in. They started off with a dance workshop, then used a inflatable 3v3 facility to paly against each other. They tried to win a free pair of boots by playing Adidas’ reaction game. They were invited into the Sky van to learn how to use camera’s and conduct an interview on the TV. They also were interviewed by Sky, being asked why they loved taking part in football.

However, the main event did not happen until the end of the day, when Alessia herself turned up to present the trophy to the winning team. She did a Q and A session with the players and then afterwards took the time to sign autographs and take photos with the players.

Cross Country

Borough Cross Country Competition

The Borough Cross Country competition took place at Pages Wood, featuring student athletes from a variety of schools in Barking and Dagenham. This event served as an excellent opportunity for our young runners in a challenging outdoor setting.

The Year 7 girls excelled in their first cross country event, demonstrating impressive athleticism. Evelyna and Elena achieved remarkable finishes, placing in the top 7, which highlights their competitive edge and running capabilities. Abigail also made a significant contribution by finishing in the top 20.

The Year 7 boys delivered commendable results in the cross country competition, with standout performances from Teddy and Nathaniel, who finished 6th and 7th, respectively. Their achievements reflect their hard work and preparation for the event. Other team members also put in strong efforts, with several finishing within the top 35, showcasing the overall talent and determination within the boys’ team.

In the Year 9 girls’ category, Rebecca made her mark by finishing 10th, competing against a formidable group of runners from across the borough. Her performance in the cross country race illustrates her resilience and competitive spirit in a challenging field.

The Year 9 boys also showcased their abilities in the cross country event, with Artemijs finishing in 10th place. Salieu and Mason further bolstered the team’s performance by finishing within the top 30. Their results highlight the boys’ growing strength and competitiveness in cross country racing at this level.