Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52...FOOTBALLC LUB For many pupils the traditional route into the Society is via the Football Club. The step up from school’s football to the adult game is a rite of passage undertaken by many in the past leading to years of enjoyment on pitches throughout the Birmingham area. It seems strange then to start this article with a reference to cycling. In order to help fund the construction of our new pavilion a group of 16 intrepid cyclists and their support group undertook a sponsored ride from Morecambe on the west coast of England to Bridlington on the east coast. Despite some dodgy map reading, all enjoyed a highly successful three days and they managed to raise £2,976. The Football Club has been instrumental in a lot of other fund raising events. The School usually puts a team into our 5-a-Side competition but the 2016 format may well be expanded into a League format during the summer holidays also becoming a 7-a-Side competition. There are also plans for a President’s X1 to play a special match against the School’s 1st X1. The Club runs four teams all playing in the Birmingham AFA League and, of course, coming to the end of the season. The 1st X1 are moving up the League rapidly after a poor start; the 2nd Team are looking for a top four finish and the 3rd X1, who are in the middle of a rebuilding process, will hopefully finish mid table. The Club also has a Veterans’ Team (over 35) for the benefit of those whose limbs cannot carry them quite as quickly as in former years. A big fund raising event with the Club at its heart will take place on 4th September with the main feature, a match against Wolves All Stars, with stalls, events, and activities for the benefit of the Acorns Charity with whom we have very close links. ...SWIMMING CLUB The past year has been very unpredictable for the Swimming Club. After an 18 month period with the small pool closed we were told the roof of the main pool at our home, Handsworth Leisure Centre, would be replaced during the six week period starting the 1st September. This date came and went as did the 1st October and then, after ‘definite’ information, we took the decision to move to King Edward’s School on the 1st November until Christmas. Unsurprisingly to us the 1st of every month has passed since then and, yes, we are still at the Leisure Centre waiting for the job to be undertaken!! The Club runs various water polo teams for boys at the School and for other young people from the local community. We had a very young U16 Team last summer and, although the lads tried, sadly they finished last in their League. The U18s play a Winter season and this has just finished with our team last but one – a position which does not justify the effort and skill shown by the team. The Club also runs an U14 Team which is full of enthusiastic boys and girls all trying to learn skills that will help them in the future. Swimming and water polo training for all members takes place at Handsworth Leisure Centre on Tuesdays at 6.30pm–7.30pm and our main session is Fridays between 7 and 9.30pm. The Cub runs two Senior sides in their summer league with the A Team finishing 2nd and the B Team finishing 5th in their respective leagues. We also had a big Swimming Gala in October with events for all abilities and all ages. The winners of some of our races have big trophies awarded to them but there are prizes for all victors, plus special prizes for those who have shown outstanding progress. All of these prizes were presented at our Awards Night which took place on the 21st November. All our younger members were regularly assessed for improvements during the year with timed swims and distance swims for which certificates and badges were awarded. These swims took place the week before Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays. Every year, we nominate a pupil at HGS to be our Junior Captain whose job it is to promote the Club plus swimming and water polo to other members of the School. This year Vyom Patel has been chosen and he is already doing an excellent job. Everyone at the School, whatever their ability, is welcome to join us together with brothers, sisters, and friends. U18 Water Polo Team v Cheltenham 2016 CLUBS AND SOCIETIES 36 BRIDGE TRUST OLD BOYS’... ...FOOTBALLC LUB England to Bridlington on the east coast. Despite some dodgy map reading, all enjoyed a moving up the League rapidly after a poor start; Team which is full of enthusiastic boys and girls all trying to learn at 6.30pm–7.30pm and our main session is Fridays between 7 and 9.30pm.