Team Upton is celebrating a double whammy in local sport to start 2024 in dominant fashion.
The school has taken the Thanet titles in both the Year 5/ 6 handball and table tennis tournaments, losing only one match in total over both competitions.
In the handball competition held at King Ethelbert’s School, Birchington, the Upton side were unbeaten in the group stage, scoring 26 goals in five games.
Twelve schools took part and in Upton’s group they beat Christ Church, Garlinge, St Peter’s, Holy Trinity Ramsgate and Northdown, to face Cliftonville in the final in which they edged a tight contest 4-3 to claim the crown.
In table tennis the school four-man team swept the board, winning 11 from a possible 12 matches to take the title.
In the hotly-contested competition held at Dane Court Grammar School, Upton dispatched St Peter’s in the first round winning all four games. Next up was St Joseph’s with Upton winning three matches, and then finally they defeated Chilton Primary from Ramsgate four to nil to claim their gold medals, shield and trophy.
Upton sports coach and PE lead Callum Noble was impressed with the performance of both teams.
He said: “Table tennis is a relatively new sport for Upton with us taking only part in the tournament for the first time for a long while last year; in handball we have not won since before the Covid pandemic. It was great to be back in competition in both sports.
“As a school we are trying to create as many sporting opportunities for children as possible.
“It is important to give them the chance to experience a variety of sports they may have never thought of trying before in PE, clubs and competitions.
“Our champs played fantastically with a smile on their faces at all times – the level of skills on show were amazing and they should all be super proud of their achievement.”
Head of School Darci Arthur praised the dedication and application of both teams. She said: “To win two Thanet-wide tournaments against very strong opposition at the start of 2024 underlines the enthusiasm and skill of our players. The teams and the coaches deserve huge congratulations from us all.”