Physical Education at Helenswood School
At Helenswood we truly believe in the value of sport and encourage students to enjoy and maintain an active lifestyle. In a changing world where leisure time is increasing our aim is to promote life long positive attitudes towards physical activity.
With that in mind the department offers a broad flexible curriculum across KS3, KS4 and KS5 (details to be found on curriculum page) and a wide variety of extra curricular clubs.
Keep up to date with the success of our sports teams in the Recent Results section.
- Lydia Powell Makes Observer Headlines with Badminton Success -
County first team call for Lydia, 13
Published Date:
13 November 2009
By Simon Carey
Badminton prodigy Lydia Powell has turned out for the Sussex senior first team at the tender age of 13.
Although she lost both her ladies' doubles matches, the call-up is further evidence of the Helenswood School student's rapid rise in the county game.
Lydia, who last year became the youngest player ever to represent Sussex at senior level and has since won seven caps for the second team, received the call for the match against a strong Hampshire II squad at The Westgate Centre on Sunday.
She performed well in both her games despite going down 22-20, 21-16 and 21-19, 22-20 as Sussex went down 12-3.
"From a potential point of view she's a wonderful talent," said Sussex County Badminton performance director Nick Chambers. "To play in the senior first team at that age puts her in very unique company."
It's believed only four players in the last 10 years have played for the Sussex senior front side at such a young age.
The previous day, Lydia triumphed in the ladies' doubles at the Norfolk U17 Badminton England competition in Norwich.
Lydia and regular doubles partner Anna Collis (Hertfordshire) finished top of a tough box before seeing off 16-year-old Norfolk duo Serena Verney and Holly Bowen 15-13, 14-16, 16-14 in the final.
She also reached the semi-finals of the ladies' singles where she was edged out 16-14, 15-13 by eventual winner Nicola Burgess (Buckinghamshire).
Ranked an under-15 gold player, Lydia trains twice a week at the Badminton England Performance Centre in Horsham, as well as at Helenswood, and the latest successes are reward for her dedication and commitment to the sport.
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