Hallsy's Weekly Look Around the Academy - Well Done Mele!!

Worthing College's Netball Sports Performance Programme player Mele Jackson made her British Colleges' National debut against Northern Ireland Under 21's last week. The match was played at the University of Belfast and with Northern Ireland preparing for the upcoming Under 21 European Championships, the British Colleges' side performed admirably, only losing out by two. However special praise was given to Jackson, who played the whole match at Goal Defence (GD) by Northern Ireland's coach as she was named player of the match. Jackson was excited by her debut "I really enjoyed the whole experience making my debut. The standard was extremely high and I felt that I held my own against older opposition. To receive player of the match is something that I'm extremely proud of and I look forward to the rest of the season both with the British Colleges' and Worthing College programmes." Performance Coach Tina Price was also pleased for Jackson "I'm so proud of Mele and her performance last week. This is a great achievement for Mele and I know that she will take this as an experience that can make her an even better player. These recent national call ups show that the whole Performance Programme is competing at a National level and there are opportunities for players to develop with us and possibly gain national and international honours, which has only happened in five years, since the start of these programmes, which is something that all players and staff, should be proud of and we are all looking forward to an exciting future."

Meanwhile Price's Netball Performance Programme were in Hampshire league action against Itchen College of Southampton. Worthing took across two sides and came away with two excellent wins. The 1st team won 35-29 with Hannah Pannell getting player of the match. The 2nd team an even closer encounter 23-20 with Elli Pennent gaining the individual honour of player of the match.

Due to the freezing conditions the only other fixture to be played was the Women's Football Performance Programme 1st XI, who have now made the final of the Sussex Schools Under 19 County Cup for the FIFTH season in a row after a very convincing 5-1 victory against local rivals BHASVIC. Striker Jade Widdows, Aliss Pidduck, Chloe Debaes, Amy Potkins and Danni Lane were on target for Worthing, who had to change the venue back to Worthing College at the last minute due to the referee deeming usual home ground Wick FC unplayable. Performance Coach Mike Bridges reserved praise for Danni Lane, who was solid at the heart of defence, Darcey James, who took hold of the midfield and Chloe Debaes, who performed well coming off the bench and deserved her goal. This semi final victory now sets up a mouthwatering final against Chichester College, which will take place at Worthing FC on Wednesday 21st March with a 7.30pm kick off.

Despite the weather conditions the Rugby and Football Performance Programme's still put together training sessions, which is one of the main important aspects of the whole Performance Programme. Whilst the Rugby Performance Programme trained in the Worthing Leisure Centre gym with strength and conditioning advisor, Mark Sambrook the Football Performance Programme Coach Dave Hall took the 1st XI squad to the brand new Indoor Football Arena (IFA) at Ford. With their match called off mid morning Hall highlighted the importance of still training. "As part of the Performance Programme as staff we make sure that if matches are called off training sessions still happen, whether it be fitness based, such as spinning or a weights session, or technical/game based. This is so that players do not lose their momentum and gives us the best opportunity to perform when the next set of matches come along. The Ford Indoor Football Arena is an excellent facility and its one that we will look to use more in the future as the 4g surface is excellent and it would allow us to work on technical aspects as well as having short, sharp small sided matches, which keep all players sharp and prepared for the upcoming batch of important games, which will shape our season."

The Men's Football Performance 1st XI match that was cancelled, the ECFA National Cup last 16 tie vs East Berkshire has now been rearranged for this Friday 17th February at East Preston FC with a 12.30pm kick off and will be an entertaining tie, especially with a quarter final place up for grabs.

Onwards & Upwards,

Hallsy