Sports Awards Dinner 2018
On what would be the 100th birthday of Fanny Blankers-Koen – often cited as the ‘athlete of the century’ - St Mary's School, Cambridge on Thursday 26 April 2018 celebrated their girls’ numerous achievements in sport.
There was huge excitement in the room as parents and their children eagerly awaited the awards to be announced. A treat was first in store as two special guests - Caradh O’Donovan ,World Champion kickboxer and Jenny Wallwork, former international badminton player, hosted an inspiring Q&A session with the girls.
Caradh O’Donovan is a champion kickboxer who has been winning World and European kickboxing medals for the past two decades. More recently she has turned her hand to WKF Karate and within three months has become Senior National Champion and a member of the Karate Ireland Squad. Her advice to the athletes was to:
“Believe in yourselves, no matter what anyone says, or what society makes you think.”
Jenny Wallwork is a former international badminton player. She has several international accolades in both the womens and mixed double events. 
She is a Commonwealth Silver and Bronze medallist, gained a European team silver and individual bronze as well as being five-times National Champion. She told the girls that her proudest moment had been to win the Commonwealth Silver medal for her team but also talked about the sacrifices she had to make to be successful.
The awards were finally upon us, and there was no shortage of achievements to celebrate. You can see some of the students who received awards from Mrs Jackie Ewing below:
Record breakers and exceptional performance
- Swimming: Matilda. R. - 100 and 200 Butterfly, beating both previous county age 11 records, held for ten years. She is the county champion in the 400 Freestyle, 400 Individual Medley - where she is ranked 6th in Britain (age 12), 200 Butterfly - where she is ranked six in Britain (age 12),100 Butterfly. Matilda also has nine
regional qualifying times.
- Expedition: Miranda E. - Youngest British person to ski the "Last Degree" from 89 degrees lattitude north to the North Pole.
- Cross Country: Frankie H., Millie R., Matilda T. and Annie Q. all qualified for the English Schools National Cross Country Competition.
- Football: Emma W. plays football for Essex RTC and was selected to represent English Independent Schools national football team. Emma is also a keen javelin thrower, having qualified to throw at the national English Sports Athletics event in both 2016 and 2017 and was voted Roy Burrell Sportswoman of the Year runner up for Cambridge District.
- Fencing: Holly T. representing England U17 at an international level. She is currently 13th in England U17 girls and 16th in U17 Great British girls.
County, regional, and beyond
Students who performed at county, regional or above in their sport have also been recognised for their exceptional achievements:
- Lucy C. representing the County in cross country.
- Maya B. and Eve H. - both Regional Level Grade 2 in gymnastics.
- Ella B., Francesca K. and Ella B. all representing the County in hockey.
- Anya F. playing at regional level in netball and also selected to play for Mavericks U17s in a Tri Series against Bath and Wales in Bristol, then going on to secure coaches 'player of the series'.
- Amélie S., Sophie H., Lily R., Jess F., Elizabeth A. and Georgia M. all swimming at regional level.
- Morgan T. at County junior golf.
- Kilder M. at shooting and cross country.
- Poppy E. and Caitlin D. playing for the Eastern Counties in rugby.
- Sarah R. for her team winning the national league in korfball.
School awards
The Ingrid Hoffman trophy for all-round sports woman in the Sixth Form was awarded to Amelia S., who also received a Special recognition award for hockey, and is an extremely talented goalkeeper who plays for Cambridge City.
The Burleigh Cup for the Year 11 sports woman was jointly-awarded to Lucy C. and Arabella H.
The team of the year was jointly-awarded to the Sixth Form Hockey Team, and the U16 ESNA Team.
Warm congratulations to all students that took part in sporting pursuits over the past year, and to all this year's worthy winners.
A gallery of photos of the evening will shortly be available.