Former Pupil Netball Tournament Raises Over £450 For Cancer Charities

This year England Netball has been promoting 'Back to Netball' throughout the country with immense success and Bablake has been delighted to help host sessions in Coventry.

To tie in with this resurgence and also to recognise the number of former pupils who are still playing competitive netball at all levels, including in the case of Melissa Croxall and Sarah Thomas in the National League, former Deputy Head Mrs Gill Thomas and Head of Girls' PE Mrs Sue Smith organised an inaugural Charity Netball tournament for former pupils.

Around 50 former pupils returned and we were able to compile 6 teams from scratch to participate in a round robin competition. The quality of the netball was of a high standard, an immense tribute to our games staff (past and present)!

As well as a chance for former pupils to catch up with their peers' news, the most rewarding part of the day was being able to report that we were able to raise £450 for Breast Cancer Care and Cancer Research from the raffle proceeds and voluntary donations for cakes and drinks.

Mrs Smith, herself an Old Wheat/ former pupil, thanked everyone for their support, adding: 'The ‘old’ girls and their families had a lovely day and this event would not have been possible without everyone's support. A wonderful cake, made by Mrs Maria O'Neill (Head of Spanish and Charity Coordinator) was won by Lijana Kaziow.'

The final words go to Mrs Thomas, who said: 'Everyone was so generous with their support, with donations and their time, and it was lovely to see so many former pupils and their families. It is lovely to keep links with former pupils and I hope today many of those who returned were also able to re-establish connections.' There are tentative plans to include hockey in a repeat of this reunion either in 2015 or 2016, but we will keep everyone updated as soon as the final details are established.