Sports Dinner 2024

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success and success the sports teams have had…… 

This year the College amassed over 500 fixtures across all competitive sports. We are extremely proud of our sport teams and hold a dinner each year to celebrate their many successes and the range of Lancing achievements continues to grow year on year.  

This year, we welcomed guest speaker Mr Adrian Hayes, an Arabic and Nepalese speaking former British Army Gurkha Officer, who also spent two years in the Special Forces, his adventuring achievements include trekking to both Poles, summiting Everest and K2, crossing the length of Greenland and the Arabian Desert, setting two Guinness World Records, writing two books, and featuring in three documentaries to date.

Sport at Lancing is more than just traditional games; it’s about diversity and inclusivity in our sports program. We offer a wide range of activities, including climbing, golf, badminton, sailing, squash and dance, all of which are gaining rapid popularity. Our goal is to adapt and evolve to provide the best possible sports experience for everyone. 
 
The Awards: 

Coaches’ Player Award:

This award is given to a player from each team across all our sports who has demonstrated the most growth/development, sportsmanship, leadership, punctuality and has positively contributed to building team spirit throughout the season. 

Basketball 

1st V coaches’ player – George H

Coaches’ player from our Equestrian team 

Rosalind D 

Football 

4th XI – Julian L

3rd XI – Pranav A

2nd XI – Oscar R 

1st XI – George B 

Girls Football 
Nerea K-M

Girls Hockey 

2nd XI – Holly M 

1st XI – Harriet S 

Boys Hockey 

2nd XI  Ben C 

1st XI – Harry S

Netball 

3rd VII – Issy C 

2nd VII – Pippa S
1st VII – Amelie T 

Badminton  

Nathan S & Tiffany X  

Cross –Country runners of the year 

Lara N and Max W

Swimming  

Jorja S 

Skiing 

Eric M

Climbing  

Matilde G & Oscar L 

Gym/fitness 

Mark M & Jake P

Vicky K & Harriet S

Cricketer  

2nd XI Teddy B

1st XI George H-H 

1st Girls Mia J

Tennis 

Boys 

3rd Matthew B
2nd VI Alex K

1st VI Ralph H 

Girls  

2nd Elisabeth de R H

1st Costanza D

Dance 

Issy H & Theo A

 

Coach of the year – lifetime achievement award 

Awarded to Nr Nigel Brookes 

Mr Brookes has been involved with Cross Country at Lancing for 42 years. He has run the last 42 five Mile races (best time 36:12, best position 2nd) and organised around 300 league runs. 

He has managed to get a team of four students to every hastings Half marathon for 25 years from 1991 to 2015 (and has won the team competition lots of times).  

 

Team of the Year  

The senior boys 1st team tennis receive highly commended team of the year for their performance winning the 18 & under  Sussex Independent Schools Plate and co-winning the 16 & under Sussex Shield.  

The Boys’ 1st XI hockey team was highlighted by remarkable victories over Bedes, Ardingly, Hurst, and, most impressively, a win against Barcelona Hockey Club, one of the strongest European teams on the global stage. 

However the Team of the year 2024 went to the 2nd XI football team- this squad collectively and consistently worked hard to build and protect a culture of commitment and respect focussing on ‘team’. It is based on this mutual respect and overarching humility that they were unbeaten for the final seven matches of the Advent term amassing a total of eight wins, with one draw and only one loss.  

 

Coach of the Year 

This year’s winner was our amazing Head of Athletic Development, Mr Footman.  His unwavering commitment, enthusiasm, and professionalism are key to the success of our LTAD (Long-Term Athlete Development) program. Through every aspect of his work, Mr. Footman’s dedication shines, profoundly impacting the physical fitness and well-being of our students at Lancing.  

 

Sporting Excellence Award  
 

Awarded to Freddie B who started gymnastics when he was just nine, as well as continuing to play his beloved football, he made speedy progression with Hawth Gymnastics.   

Last summer, he won silver medals at the British Championships in Newcastle which then qualified his team to compete at the Mid-Euro Championships in Italy last November, where they got silver.  His team will be at this year’s British Championships in July and are aiming for gold! 

Freddie was selected to represent his country as part of the GB Junior Mixed team, made up of gymnasts from England, Scotland and Wales and he will be competing at the TeamGym European Championships in Azerbaijan in October.   

 

The Sports Personality of the Year Award  

Is awarded to the sportsman or woman who over their time at Lancing have demonstrated a good sense of sportsmanship, personal flair, humour, and enthusiasm in all aspects of their sport and the Lancing College community. This year’s Sports Personality was awarded to Tom H. 

 

The Richard Pithey Award for Sporting Endeavour   

This award recognises students who have excelled as valued sportspeople through their dedication to sport, in this case in football, tennis, hockey, netball, and dance. Their achievements reflect their relentless hard work and effort. The two most deserving recipients of this award are William P and Eva B. 

 

The Standing Start Award 

Is awarded to the student who has made the most progress in sport since their entry to Lancing. The 2024 winners were Sam Y & Holly M

 

Sports Caps  

These are awarded to students holding full colours in three or more sports.  

Sports Caps for 2024 are awarded to  
Mia J (for her full colours in cricket, hockey and netball)  
Tom H (for his full colours in hockey, football and cricket) 
 

The prestigious Miller Cup is awarded to the most outstanding sportsman of the UVI year group and this year’s recipient was Tom H.  

“Tom has shown exceptional discipline, commitment and dedication in everything he has taken part in at Lancing College.” – Mr Maru  

“His infectious enthusiasm and unwavering commitment to excellence set the tone for the entire squad, driving them to push beyond their limits and strive for success. Well done and thank you, Tom.” – Mr Janes  

“I will miss his character which is everything I would look for in a footballer at Lancing. Hard-working, brave, disciplined, selfless, but with an uncompromising desire to succeed, I hope others will look up to Tom as he is an inspiration and has worked hard to become one of the best defenders ever to grace the 1st XI pitch. “ 

Mr Benson  

 

The Taylor Salver – awarded to the most outstanding sportswoman of the U6th year group This year Mia J was our worthy recipient.  

Miss Bierton writes…. 
“Mia’s hard work, and unwavering determination makes her an invaluable team member in any sport.” 

 
“Mia’s exceptional work ethic on the pitch and calming focus off the pitch have been exemplary, setting a high standard for all.” – Mr Janes

“Mia has shown unwavering commitment to the cricket programme since joining Lancing. As a player new to the game she has picked up the technical aspects of bowling with ease and taken key wickets with her pace and accuracy.” – Mr Mole