OCRA School Sports Report – Q1, 2019

Image: Tavistock Dance FestivalOCRA currently fulfils the role of School Sports Co-ordinator for Dartmoor MAT (Okehampton and area schools) and Tavistock Area Schools. Please see our event reports on our schools page for news throughout the year.

Wednesday 23rd January was the West Devon Sportshall finals, held at Tavistock College Sportshall. Taking part were – Whitchurch, St Andrew’s A & B, St Peter’s, Okehampton, Hatherleigh, South and North Tawton. Keith & Jayne Reed, Martin Exley-Deane, Stuart Lord and Mhairi McCall  plus 10 young sports leaders officiated over the event.

The winners were St Andrew’s A who went on to represent West Devon at the county finals at The Life Centre, Plymouth on Friday 1st March.

Thursday 24th January was the West Devon Finals of the High 5 Netball competition. This was held at Okehampton College & Parklands. Lynn Strawbridge and 4 young sports leaders (specially chosen for their netball knowledge) officiated. Sue Yelland and Mhairi McCall scored the pools. Robin Catling took over for the finals and made the presentations.

Taking part were – Horrabridge A & B, Okehampton, Bridestowe, Meavy, Chagford, Whitchurch, and North Tawton. Horrabridge A won and will represent West Devon at the county finals at Paignton on the 28th March.

Tuesday 5th February was the Year 3 Movement & Dance Day for Okehampton area schools.

102 pupils from Okehampton, 3 from Lewtrenchard, 9 from Boasley cross and 28 from South Tawton attended the morning session.

12 from Exbourne, 25 from Hatherleigh, 20 from North Tawton, 10 from Bridestowe, 2 from Highampton and 14 from Chagford attended the afternoon session.

Vicki Pritichard led 2 gymnastics/mini trampoline stations, Ellodie Stott led a dance session and Sue Yelland set up 4 multi-skills stations. We had the help of 10 young sports leaders with Mhairi McCall overseeing the event.

Friday 8th February saw 2 school events in Tavistock. The Devon Cricket Schools coach, Jonny Varcoe, ran a Key stage 1 indoor cricket festival at Mount Kelly College. I liaised between him and the schools to get the invites and risk assessments out. Schools from Okehampton, Boasley cross, Lewtrenchard, Princetown, St Andrew’s and St Rumon’s took part. Mhairi McCall opened the event and then went with 4 young sports leaders from Tavistock College  to the Tavistock Schools Swimming gala at Meadowlands.

This is organised every year by Tavistock Swimming Club and the pool is given free by Meadowlands, with OCRA managing the invitations to schools and assisting with timing and schools liaison at the event. This year was the biggest ever competition with 16 teams from 10 schools taking part.

These schools were – St Andrew’s A & B, Horrabridge A & B, St Peter’s A & B, Tavistock A & B, Whitchurch A & B, Bere Alston A & B, Lady Modiford’s at Walkhampton, Milton Abbot, Mary Tavy & Brentor and Lamerton. The Swimming Club provide cups for the top 3 small schools and the top 3 large schools.

Top large school was Horrabridge A, small school Lady Modiford’s at Walkhampton.

Tuesday 12th February was the first cross country event in the Tavistock Schools series, held at Tavistock Meadows.

There were 314 children taking part. Schools entering the series are – Mary Tavy & Brentor, Tavistock, Gulworthy, Lamerton, Milton Abbot, Bere Alston, St Andrew’s, Horrabridge, Meavy, Lady Modiford’s, Whitchurch and St Peter’s.

There are 4 races at each event – Year 3/4 girls, then boys, year 5.6 girls then boys. Two more events in the series – 26th February & 26th March decide the medal awards to the top 3 large schools, top 3 small schools, top 3 individual girls and top 3 individual boys. The races take place after school with parents bringing their children to the event and staying to spectate. It is a fantastic event with great atmosphere. Teams consist of 6 girls and 6 boys.

The winners of the first races were –
Year 3/4 – 1st small school Meavy, 1st large school St Andrew’s A.
Year 5/6 – 1st small school Meavy, 1st large school St Andrew’s A

A Fun fit course for teachers was organised for Wednesday 13th February. This took place at the OCRA Pavilion.

OCRA management held a coaches meeting on Thursday 31st January to update our policies and procedures. A first aid course was booked for renewals for senior coaches and new registrations for our young assistant coaches, held at the pavilion on the 20th February 9-4.30.

It is apparent to me that we need to organise a Safeguarding course too.

Many coaches do not have appropriate clothing for coaching. I undertook to get quotes from a sports contact of mine in Plymouth (Fitness for Sport) for coats, t shirts, hoodies & polo shirts.

OCRA  attended the primary School PE conference at Exeter on the 4th February.

The Tavy 13 Primary Challenge took place on Sunday 24th March. We sponsor this event by processing the entries (approx. 500 children). This has now spawned the OCRA 13 that has it’s final run at the Okehampton Sports Sunday in July. Approx 100 children took part last year and we will be looking to Okehampton Primary to encourage pupils to enter this year.