Building the Team | A Strong Start to the Year

Sport at Channing has enjoyed another exceptional year, with continued growth across our extensive extracurricular programme. Students have benefited from a wide range of fixtures, tournaments and opportunities to experience new sports, while the PE curriculum has continued to provide engaging experiences for all year groups. In particular, Key Stage 4 students have embraced opportunities to broaden their sporting horizons, develop new skills and build confidence across an increasingly diverse programme of activities.

The sporting year began in excellent fashion with our second Year 7 Football and Netball Pre-Season Day, giving students the opportunity to develop their skills before the start of competitive fixtures.

The football session was led by Mr Garnett alongside Miss Allen and Miss Dorey, both of whom play semi-professional football for AFC Wimbledon, while the afternoon netball session was delivered by former London Mavericks and England Roses player Vicki Oyesola.

With more than 40 Year 7 students taking part across both sports, the day provided an excellent introduction to competitive school sport while helping students build confidence, friendships and team spirit ahead of the busy season to come.

Inspiring Future Athletes

Sport at Channing extends far beyond the playing field. This year, the PE and Careers Departments collaborated to deliver Careers in Sport Week, offering students valuable insight into the many professional pathways available within the sporting world.

Year 12 students welcomed leading sports lawyer Daniel Geey, who spoke about his career journey and the importance of perseverance, preparation and embracing opportunities. One student described the talk as “compelling”, reflecting on how his message that setbacks can become opportunities resonated strongly with the audience.

Students also heard from Miss Corbin, a member of the PE Department and former England Netball international, who shared her experiences of balancing elite sport with academic study while overcoming the challenges of competing at the highest level. Reflecting on the session, one Year 7 student commented:

“It was such an inspiring experience. It showed me how much I could achieve with commitment and hard work.”

The department was also delighted to welcome back Channing alumna Ava Peers, now studying Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at university. Ava spoke openly about her transition from Sixth Form to university, the opportunities available through sport science and the importance of embracing new experiences beyond school.

Supporting Participation

The department also continued its partnership with PEBE, welcoming the organisation back to Channing for a second year of workshops designed to support girls’ confidence and participation in sport.

Following a whole-school assembly on puberty, breast health and the importance of wearing correctly fitted sports bras during physical activity, Year 7 students took part in dedicated workshops exploring breast health in a supportive and informative environment. Students also had the opportunity to receive individual sports bra fittings, helping them feel more comfortable and confident when participating in physical activity.

The sessions were extremely well received and reflected the department’s commitment not only to sporting performance, but also to ensuring that every student feels informed, supported and empowered to enjoy an active lifestyle.

Competition Highlights

Athletics

It has been another outstanding year for Channing Athletics, with students achieving success at borough, regional and national level across a wide range of events.

The Cross Country season provided an excellent start to the year, with strong performances across every age group. Students demonstrated remarkable determination throughout the season, competing with enthusiasm and resilience in challenging conditions.

Success continued into the summer athletics programme, where Channing athletes represented the school with distinction at borough and county competitions. Particular congratulations go to Poppy R, whose consistently outstanding performances earned her selection to represent Haringey at the London Youth Games, an impressive achievement that reflects both her talent and dedication.

The Athletics programme continues to flourish thanks to the commitment of our students and coaching staff, providing opportunities for athletes of all abilities to challenge themselves and enjoy competitive sport.

Football

Football has enjoyed another exceptional year at Channing, with participation continuing to grow and success achieved across every age group.

Our annual Alessia Russo Cup once again proved a highlight of the sporting calendar, celebrating girls’ football while inspiring the next generation of players. The tournament continues to reflect the remarkable growth of the women’s game and the enthusiasm with which football is embraced throughout the school.

On the pitch, Channing teams produced some outstanding performances during the season. The U13A Football Team enjoyed a particularly memorable campaign, progressing all the way to the ISFA National Final before being crowned National Champions following an exceptional display of teamwork, resilience and attacking football.

Individual success also deserves special recognition. Congratulations to Poppy R, whose outstanding performances throughout the season earned her selection for the Tottenham Hotspur Academy, providing an exciting opportunity to continue developing her footballing talent within a professional environment.

The continued growth of girls’ football at Channing is a testament to the enthusiasm of our students and the dedication of the coaching staff, who continue to create opportunities for players of every ability to enjoy and excel in the game.

Netball

Netball has once again been one of Channing’s flagship sports, with teams enjoying success at local, regional and national level while continuing to demonstrate the teamwork, resilience and sporting spirit that define the department.

Throughout the season, students represented the school with tremendous commitment across a busy programme of fixtures and tournaments. Their hard work was rewarded with a series of excellent performances, including success in the Haringey League, where Channing teams once again demonstrated their strength against local opposition.

The highlight of the year came as our U13A Netball Team qualified for the prestigious Sisters n Sport National Finals, competing against many of the country’s strongest independent schools. Reaching the national finals is a remarkable achievement in itself and reflects the outstanding quality of netball at Channing.

Across every year group, players have continued to develop not only their technical skills but also their confidence, leadership and understanding of the game. The department is immensely proud of every student who represented the school this season, whether competing at national level or playing their very first fixture in Channing colours.