Celebrating a Year of Girls' Sport

On Wednesday 30 April, Gilson House gathered in the evening for its annual Sports Dinner. It provides a chance to reflect on a year of girls' sport, celebrate achievements, and look forward to next year.   

Attended by the majority of Gilson House and by members of staff who have been involved throughout the year, it proved to be an enjoyable evening with a great atmosphere throughout.  

The evening consisted of a two-course meal, a fun quiz on the girls’ sports year, and concluded with awards and speeches from all the coaches and captains. The quiz was led by Girls' Sports Captain, Amelia Flower, who also did a fantastic job in organising the evening. This included organising the quiz, the theme – midsummers – and the meal and decorations reflected this.  

In her speech on the night, Head of Girls’ Sport, Miss James, reflected on the many highs of girls’ sport throughout the year. These included big wins in Hockey and Football Night Lights, the fun training sessions, and for the 1st VII netball team, coming top of the league for the first time since 2022.  

Miss James also praised for the total buy-in for girls’ sport from the pupils. This year, we have fielded many teams including two hockey squads and four netball teams. None of this would have been possible without the efforts of our fantastic coaches, but also the motivation and determination from our Gislon girls.  

And, in their speeches, the captains from each sport also paid tribute to the coaches with special mentions and thanks going to Miss James, Mr Cooper, Mr Bradley, Mrs Dunn, Reverand Medlicott, Miss Brett, and Miss Adams.  

At the end of the awards, the Girls' Sport Captain for 2025-26 was announced, with this going to Abi O’Shea. 

Congratulations to everyone who received an award. There will be further awards for our rowers at the annual Boat Club Dinner in June.  

Rowing  

• Most Improved Rowers: Annunciate Ings and Felicity Hudson 
• Rowers of the Season: Amelie Westbrook and Abby Hutton 
• Coach’s Rowers of the Year: Alice Dargue and Tilly Foreman 

Hockey  

• 1st XI Player of the Season: T Nicholson 
• 1st XI Most Improved Player: P Hart 
• 2nd XI Most Improved Player: Nuala Howard-Jones 
• 2nd XI Player of the Season: Amelie Holden 
• 1st XI Coach’s Player: Alice Godfrey 
• 2nd XI Coach’s Player: Chloe Thomas 

Football  

• Most Improved Player: Emily Fisher 
• Player of the Season: M Mundy 
• Coach’s Player: Madeleine Spooner 

Netball  

• 1st VII Most Improved Player: H Moss 
• 1st VII Player of the Season: Abi O'Shea 
• 1st VII Coach’s Player: Emily O’Neill  
• 2nd VII Most Improved Player: Flo Rait 
• 2nd VII Player of the Season: Amelia Flower  
• 2nd VII Coach’s Player: Lilia Dix 
• 3rd VII Most Improved Player: Gabi Moran 
• 3rd VII Player of the Season: Izzy Lloyd 
• 3rd VII Coach’s Player: Belle Sauboua 
• 4th VII Most Improved Player: Phoebe Burt 
• 4th VII Player of the Season: Alexa Rawlinson 
• 4th VII Coach’s Player: Jess Biggin 

Special Awards 

The Personal Achievement Within Sport went to Amelia Westbrook, the All-Rounder Award went to Tirnan Gillard, and Sportswoman of the Year went to Sophie Pendlebury