Two sporty students at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools have been selected for this year’s School Games National Finals at Loughborough University.
Cricketer Sophia and athlete Henry will be performing in the first multi-sport event for young sportsmen and women in the UK following the lifting of lockdown restrictions.
Sophia, aged 16, will be representing Team Sciver in the cricket tournament from Friday (3rd September) through to Sunday (5th September).
Sophia, a student at Monmouth School for Girls, is among only 39 under-18 cricketers to have been picked for the tournament and this will be her second time in the event.
She represents both Wales Women and Wales Under-18s women and is part of the Western Storm Academy Programme. She also plays hockey for Wales girls.
Earlier this summer, Sophia played her first competitive match for the Wales Senior Women’s team.
It has been an exciting time for Sophia, who became the first female cricketer in history to play a competitive match for Monmouth School for Boys’ first team.
In 2019, Sophia enjoyed winter training under the direction of the England Women’s Academy coaches when she was selected for the England Spin Bowling Group based at Loughborough.
A left-arm spin bowling all-rounder, Sophia is hoping to become a professional women’s cricketer.
Meanwhile, Henry, 15, has been selected for the London All Stars and will be running for Wales in the boys’ 1500m steeplechase on Saturday (4th September).
The teenager will be competing on the Paula Radcliffe Athletics Track at Loughborough University.
Earlier this year, Henry, a student at Monmouth School for Boys, sealed his place in the Welsh Schools’ team for the 1500m steeplechase.
He stormed to victory in the Welsh Schools Athletic Association SIAB (Schools International Athletic Board) trials.
Henry will also represent Welsh Schools in The SIAB Track & Field, hosted by English Schools, at Moreton Stadium in Derby on 25th September.
Henry often runs around the streets of Monmouth with his dad, Huw, an experienced athlete, and his dedication and commitment to the sport is paying off. Henry is also a member of Newport Harriers.
The School Games was established after London won the bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust, the School Games National Finals involve more than 1,300 young athletes competing across 10 sports, including disability disciplines, at venues across the Loughborough University campus.
