The annual National Deaf Schools Track and Field Sports Day took place on Wednesday 5 July at Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Organised by local Deaf school Heathlands, the competition saw 7 schools from across the country come together to compete in a variety of track and field events.
Our group of competitors – 12 students accompanied by 7 members of staff – had a long day, setting off from Exeter at 6am to reach the venue.
The day saw 9 events in total: 1500m, 800m, 400m, 200m and 100m running races; high jump; long jump; shot put and a 4x100m relay. By the end of the day our students had earned a total of 900 points across the event (almost double the points earned for second place) and with 9 gold medals we were crowned the winners!
Nick Edmunds, Science and PE teacher, said;
“We’re really proud of the team. The PE teachers from Heathlands were really impressed by their sports technique and could tell they had trained hard. They were well-behaved and a credit to Exeter Deaf Academy. It was a long, hot day but everyone gave their all.”
The last time we competed in the Sports Day was 2015, where we came second overall.
Nick said:
“Our students had a great day, interacting with other students from a number of schools. Some made new friends and others caught up with old ones – it was a great social event as well as a sporting one.
They were chuffed to bits to bring the winner’s cup home to Exeter; we thought they’d be tired on the drive back but they were bouncing off the walls!”
A huge ‘well done’ to the team: Alex, Alex, Amy, Hayden, James, Jonathan, Leah, Matthew, Molly, Nissi, Oliver and Thomas!