Grantham school welcomes Paralympian before volleyball win

Last Thursday, the National School welcomed UK Paralympian Sam Ruddock who delivered another inspirational talk to the whole school – all 462 of them – and kept them spellbound.

Sam first tried running as his sport, but then decided to change to shot put and is now training for the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio.

After school later that day, the National made its first real foray into the world of volleyball.

They entered a team into the South Lincolnshire Primary School Volleyball Tournament with limited experience but great enthusiasm and determination to learn a new sport.

In the group stage, the National were pitted up against seven other teams, with the one scoring the most winning points overall going through to the final.

It did not take long for the National team to get into their stride, beating Corby Glen B 9-5 and Ropsley B 15-7. Further victories against St Anne’s A (10-7), Denton A (10-3) and St Sebastian’s A (14-5) were followed by two hard fought draws against Denton C (11-11) and Isaac Newton B (8-8) – which put them top of their group with 77 points.

In a topsy-turvy final, the National faced Denton B and worked really hard to earn a 9-6 victory.

The team will now go on to represent South Lincolnshire in the county finals.

National headteacher Kay Sutherland said: “The children all showed fantastic endurance and trust in each other whilst representing the school with such pride.”

The team, pictured with the winning trophy, are Mia Ellis, Thomas Cradduck, Alfie Owen and Iona Colbert.