PARKSIDE School has highlighted its success in sports like rugby, football and athletics during the autumn.

Ben Miller this month issued a report on the matches and tournaments that students of the Cullingworth school had taken part in.

Mr Miller said links between the school, the Rugby Football Union and the Keighley RUFC continued to flourish with community coaches attending weekly sessions for the under-12 squad in preparation for the Dyson Trophy which will officially open Keighley RUFC’s new 4G pitch on Saturday, December 16.

Mr Miller said: “The commitment and enthusiasm for rugby union this term has been outstanding with years seven to 11 playing in the White Rose Schools Series, leading to over 25 individual games across all year groups.

“In addition, to this the boys’ year nine and year 11 squads have also represented the school well in the Yorkshire Cup.”

In athletics, the year eight boys’ and girls’ indoor athletics teams participated in the Bradford Winter Schools Games qualifiers in November at Beckfoot Oakbank School in Keighley.

Mr Miller said: “The effort and attitude applied by all involved was excellent, leading to a great team performance, with some outstanding individual displays particularly from Maisie Pickard, Jenson Watson, Miller Parker, Arty Greenwood and Sam Harvey-Seawood, and the boys’ relay team who all won their track event.”

The year eight boys’ athletics team progressed to the games’ finals after winning the qualifying round.

The teams included year eight girls, Holly Eagle, Jess Henry, Maisie Pickard, Millie Parker, Rebecca Kerman and Abbie Turton, and year nine boys, Arty Greenwood, Isaac Hardaker, Dylan Watson, Jenson Watson, Sam Harvey-Seawood and Zak Ferris.

Mr Miller said that boys’ and girls’ football had gone from strength to strength during the year with success in both the West Yorkshire Cup and the English Schools Cup, with year 11 boys reaching the second round of the English Schools Cup.

He added: “Our under-13s girls also represented Parkside in the English Schools Cup, but were unfortunately beaten by Crompton House School, from Oldham.

“The year 11 boys also made it through to the quarter finals of the West Yorkshire Cup, but were narrowly defeated by St Bede’s on penalties. Our year eight boys are still flying the flag, as they are due to play Roundhay School in the quarter finals.”

Mr Miller said weekly football training sessions were recording the school’s best-ever turnout.

He said netball was as popular as ever, with girls across all year groups attending training sessions and playing against other local schools.

He said: “We have had some success and with more games to come, we would like to wish all the netballers the best of luck.

“We have also had excellent numbers turning out on a weekly basis to attend the badminton, table-tennis and gym clubs that we have on offer. It is great to see so many students taking part and getting involved.”