Top ten finish for primary school in national dodgeball finals

A local primary school has finished ninth in the British Dodgeball National Schools Championship.

Holt Primary School’s Year 6 dodgeball team travelled to Kettering on 3rd July to compete against 23 schools in the national championship.

The team qualified for the finals after a successful performance at the South West finals at the University of the West of England in Bristol.

Headteacher Jo Hodge said, “It was fantastic and the children did really well. They only lost one game out of five and their tactical awareness and skills just grew as they progressed. They were really proud of themselves and I was super proud of them as well.”

The team were accompanied by a contingent of parents who made the journey to support them. Those who could not attend were able to stream the games via YouTube.

Jo said, “We actually came third in our group. We didn’t make the quarter finals but because of our points, the organisers worked out that we came ninth. The children all enjoyed their McDonald’s on the way home as a special treat.

“I hope that the national finals day is a special memory for the children who attended and inspires them to continue to take part in sport when they join their secondary schools in September, and beyond. In our assembly we celebrated the success but also the incredible teamwork, resilience and growth of all the children involved – their legacy will live on for years.”

Dodgeball has been part of the curriculum at Holt Primary School for several years. Jo said it is an ‘inclusive’ and ‘accessible’ sport that children can quickly pick up.

“Dodgeball has firmly established itself as a Holt School favourite,” said Jo.

The school plans to enter the Wiltshire round next year in the hope of qualifying for the national finals again.