There was a fantastic level of excitement in the sports hall at Aberdeen Grammar as Ashley Road Primary School and Banchory Academy made their first venture into the Schools festival Programme.
In the boys competition the level was genuinely impressive, as straight for the first serve of the first game, there was 3 touches spiking and blocking! There was not a huge amount between any of the boy’s teams which made for a very compelling viewing on the boys courts.
However, it was Aberdeen Grammar school’s A and C teams who finished joint top of the table at the end of the day, With AGS A nipping their fellow pupils to top spot via a better head to head record.
The amount of Primary school pupils playing especially on the girls courts was very encouraging and the younger players did well to compete with the relatively more experienced teams from Aberdeen Grammar School and The Gordon Schools.
The Gordon Schools girls were pushed hard by Ashley Road A and Aberdeen Grammar C but ultimately proved too strong for their counterparts and retained the trophy they won the previous year.
The trophy is almost irrelevant in the scope of what the day provided in terms
of development, with a very noticeable increase in the level of enjoyment and quality in the games near the end of the day. Despite the evident tired minds and bodies at the end of a busy day of participation over 50 pupils left with smiles on their faces at what will hopefully be just the start of their involvement in the school festival programme.
The spirit of the tournament award, usually reserved for an individual was awarded to a team from Ashley Road Primary who were exemplary in showing true sportsmanship, politeness and support for teammates and officials.
A massive thank you to Aberdeen Grammar School for providing the facility for the event as well as supported by the club’s young officials who were great mentors for the pupils attending to gain an introduction to officiating.
It was definitely the best one yet, with record numbers since the festival began only three years ago and I’m sure we’re all looking forward to next year already. #growingthegame
There is still a few remaining spaces in the National P7/S1 festival in Grangemouth on Tuesday 28th March, for more information click HERE.
Graeme Spowart
Club & Participation Development Officer
