These girls can! St Julies celebrates sporting champions

St Julies Catholic High School is championing the next generation of sportswomen and have an exciting year ahead as its sports stars take centre stage.

The Woolton-based school has seven regional, British and World champions in a diverse array of sporting disciplines, including martial arts, water polo, cross country running and dance.

With the ongoing support from the staff at the school, the champs have been able to balance their hectic schedules with their successful sporting careers!

One pupil with a bright future ahead of her is British water polo team champion Emily Pyper, who will soon be competing in Great Britain’s Under 18 competitions.

Emily says: ‘I have to train at least three hours a day to maintain my levels of performance. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with my school work but I am so grateful to my teachers at St Julies for all the support they give me.’

Meanwhile, talented Paris Hughes won her first World kick-boxing title in November 2015 after coming second in 2014. Not only is the sport helping her keep fit and learn new technical skills, Paris believes kick-boxing is having a positive influence on her education.

She says: “It’s really helping me through my education and you can only begin to imagine how much confidence I’ve gained as a result of winning at my chosen sport.”

The youngest champion Eleanor Morris, is the British Judo Champion in her weight group and has been practising since she was five years old. Eleanor will take part in the British Schools’ Championship this April under the guidance of her long term coach Peter Blood at the SKK Judo Club with the whole school willing her on.

Eleanor says: “I’ve been involved in lots of competitions almost since I started with the help of my dad and St. Julie’s. I’ve competed at major events in the UK and across Europe too and have been lucky enough to win so I just keep looking forward to the next challenge.”

Tayleur Amos and Eleiyah Navis have wowed judges in dance championships across the globe winning first place at prestigious events in London, Paris and Las Vegas. With her eyes set on the USA once she finishes her studies, Eleiyah hopes to have a career on the stage.

Cross country stars Bethan Strange and Faye Ireland are currently juggling the English Schools qualifiers with their GCSE’s, as well as training four nights a week. Balancing school work with training isn’t easy, but the girls say they are supported by their PE teacher Jo Hardiman who cheers them on at every race.

On the strong culture of sport at the school, Deputy Head Kate McCourt says that promoting participation in sport is so important.

She says: ‘These girls have been competing for the majority of their young lives and the teachers here at St Julies have been there for them every step of the way.

‘It takes a lot of dedication for the girls to retain the high levels of achievement that they have reached in their respective sports. Sports are so important in teaching strong personal development skills that they can take from their academic life right through to after they leave school!’