The Pocklingtonian 2019/20 | Page 31

Lydia Robinson
Niamh Clements
PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS //

Lydia Robinson

Talented squash player Lydia has been named as one the region ’ s best sporting talents in the prestigious Hull Daily Mail Sporting Champions Awards .
The Upper Sixth Former has reached number 1 in every age group of the England Squash rankings , twice won the English Junior Championships and once been runner up in her age group .
She was declared winner of the Sporting Champions Awards ’ Junior Sportswoman ( 16-18 ) category at a recent ceremony in Hull , and presented with a framed version of a recent Hull Daily Mail article about her success .
Lydia , 17 , said : “ I wasn ’ t expecting to win so when my name was announced I was just amazed ! But it ’ s nice to be recognised .”
Fellow Upper Sixth Former Bella Byass was also shortlisted for the same award in the annual ceremony , whose former winners include Old Pocklingtonian and former top-ranked male British tennis player Kyle Edmund .
Pocklington School Director of Sport David Byas said : “ Both Lydia and Bella are wonderful ambassadors of the school and for them both to reach the shortlisted group is testament to what they have achieved in their respective areas .
“ We are all very proud of their successes and this is wonderful recognition for the hard work and commitment that they have both demonstrated .”
This year promises to be a demanding one for both students as they juggle their A Level and BTEC studies with their sporting commitments .
Lydia , who plays with the Beverley Squash and Racketball Club , is working hard on her BTEC Sport and A level Psychology courses as well as focusing on moving up the tough U19 England Squash rankings .
She said : “ I ’ m training harder than ever now because although I compete in less tournaments , the ones I do enter are larger and at a national level rather than regional . I ’ ve had to significantly improve my time management in order to balance sport with study because the tournaments are usually a distance away and on a Sunday . I get home late on a Sunday night and then I ’ m back at school on Monday .”
Lydia plans to take a gap year next year in order to apply for a professional ranking and then compete in Professional Squash Association tournaments .
“ After that I ’ d like to go to university - either at a US college offering squash as a varsity sport so I can take part in tournaments alongside my studies , or in the UK . I just need to get through my exams and see where next year takes me !” she added .

Niamh Clements

Second Year pupil Niamh Clements has been selected to play for Team North East in the UK Lions ’ Under 13 Girls Regional Tournament this summer .
Niamh was one of 18 players selected from over 100 invited to trial for the chance to represent the North East region . She will now join top young hockey players from across the country at the UK Lions 2020 Championship at the Nottingham Hockey Centre in July . Team North East is regarded as the team to beat in the tournament , having won the U13 Girls Championship twice and been runners-up once in the event ’ s three-year history .
Niamh said : “ Getting picked for Team North East is a big opportunity for me to play against some of the best U13s in the country . Hockey is my favourite sport and I ’ d like to play to as high a level as I can achieve .”
The talented young sportswoman plays hockey for Pocklington School , City of
York HC - and the North Yorkshire Junior Academy , which is supported by England Hockey to develop young players identified as having the potential to play at an elite level . She has excelled representing the school in cross country and enjoys track events – but says hockey is her passion .
Niamh will be involved in six training and match days with the Team North East squad , in preparation for the UK Lions tournament .
Pocklington School ’ s Director of Sport , David Byas , said : “ This is an outstanding achievement and we are all absolutely delighted for Niamh . We wish her well in her preparation for the tournament and moving forward .”
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