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Sports Awards
On Thursday 19th June the annual Sports Awards Assembly took place. Mr. D. Loughrey introduced the special guest Mr. Glen Ross and thanked him for coming to present the awards. Mr. Ross, from Bangor, Co. Down, is the current UK’s Strongest Man, a title he has held 7 times. In 2004 he was Europe’s Strongest Man. In addition, Mr. Loughrey thanked Mrs. McClintock (Head of PE), Mr. Parker (PE teacher) and all those involved in sport throughout the school, for their contribution throughout the year.
Prize Winners
Athletic awards
Minor Cup Athletic Champions – Year 8 Ryan Millar
Katarzyna Swistak
Junior Cup Athletic Champions – Year 9 Iain McCulloch
Zoe Dunbar
Intermediate Cup Athletics Champions – Year 10 Daniel McKee
Lauren Wade & Jill Stirling
Hockey awards
U12 XI Most promising player in Year 8 Shannen Stewart
U13 XI Most promising player in Year 9 Beth McClelland
U14 XI Most promising player in Year 10 Aimee Wilson
1st XI Most promising player in 1st XI Natalie McPeak
Rugby awards
U13 XV Most promising player in Year 9 Jake Wilson
U14 XV Most promising player in Year 10 Daniel McKee
U15 XV Moat promising player in Year 11 Thomas Cheuk
Football awards
Most promising junior player Aaron Spence
Most promising senior player Ben Crawford
Most promising female player Louise Lyons
Special awards
McElderry Shield Excellence in Games & PE Christopher Stirling
from Years 9, 10 & 11 Jill Stirling
McClelland Shield Excellence in Game s& PE Peter Linton
From Year 8 Jessica Harris
Gary Quigley Shield Rugby Andrew Platt
The Dobson Sports Award Stephen McAuley
The Adjey Trophy Endeavour in PE Anna McCollum
Sports Trophy Outstanding commitment in Lauren Wade
Games
House Championship Runkerry Daniel McKee
Lauren McCafferty
After the presentation of the awards, Mr. Ross expressed his thanks for the invitation. He said that he was glad to see that sport was alive and well in Dunluce School. He explained that at school sport wasn’t his favourite activity on account of his being so ‘big’ but that he discovered there were sports suitable for ‘bigger people’. His training in a local gym led to his interest being developed and his subsequent success as a ‘strong man’. “It doesn’t matter how big you are”, he said, “there is still a sport pout there for you”. Concluding, he spoke of the importance of sport, not only for prolonging life, but for the creation of a strong mind as a catalyst for education.
After Mr. Ross’s talk to the pupils, Mr. Loughrey emphasized the importance of sport in school. Mr. Ross then demonstrated his strength by lifting Mr. Parker up and holding him above his head, much to the delight of everyone present.
Following the assembly, Mr. Ross took part in a question and answer session involving 200 senior pupils. A wide range of interesting questions had been submitted in advance. Each was thoughtfully answered by our guest as they were put to him by Mr. Scullion.
We were treated to a fascinating insight into the mind of a world champion, from the lows of injury to the highs of competing and winning at the highest levels. Mr. Ross explained that he believed his strength was a gift from God, whom he tried to serve in his own unique way. Questions about his exact weight were neatly sidestepped (“about 31 stones” was the nearest he would give), but we did learn that he needs 2 seats on his many aircraft journeys around the globe!
At the end of the session there seemed to be an endless queue of pupils looking for an autograph. Mr. Ross obliged everyone, even posing for some photos. He then gave us a further demonstration of his immense strength, lifting a specially-prepared metal ‘log’ above his head.
