Stroud High School has once again gained national accolades by becoming the English Schools U15 National Handball Champion for the second season in a row.
Having been successful at county and regional level, students travelled to Nottingham University and went unbeaten in four group matches. The team were then victorious in a semi-final against Harris Academy Crystal Palace School, saving their best performance of the day to beat Putney High School 13-2 in the final.
Stroud High School has an exceptional record at the National Handball Finals, having secured the title three times, and been runner up on a number of occasions at Under 15 level. Curriculum Team Leader for PE, June Fletcher, puts the success down to the “brilliant attitude and hard work” of the students, as well as the coaching and support they receive from Stroud Handball Coach, Matt Durber. She said: “Matt has helped us provide the students with an environment where they feel they can compete with any school in the country. And year-on-year they do.”
Such has been the success over the last few years, that the current Great Britain Women’s squad has a number of former Stroud High School students, including Holly Luke, the current captain, who was on hand on Sunday to give support to her former school.
Many of this year’s Under 15 squad were making their second visit to the finals having been part of the winning Under 15 squad last year. Team captain Esme Kelly said that she was “honoured to lead the team to victory.” Congratulations also go to Stroud High’s Under 13 Handball Team who placed 5th in the country.
Photography by England Handball
