What a truly inspirational term on the sports front at Downe House! Our U15A Lacrosse team achieved a remarkable milestone, winning the National Schools Championship for the first time in 25 years. The victory was the culmination of a season full of hard work, dedication, and unwavering team spirit.

In the pool stages, Downe House recorded three wins out of four, defeating Cheltenham Ladies’ College (5-1), Westonbirt (5-0) and Benenden (4-0), with a 3-3 draw against North London Collegiate, finishing top of Group 2. Meanwhile, last year’s champions Berkhamsted topped Group 5, setting up a thrilling showdown in the final.

In the knockout stages, Downe House overcame St Mary’s Calne (2-1), Queen Anne’s (3-2) and Lady Eleanor Holles (3-1) to reach the final. Berkhamsted progressed through their matches to meet us for what would become an unforgettable encounter.

The final was tense and dramatic. Berkhamsted opened the scoring twice, and a yellow card for Downe House made the challenge even greater. Yet, our team showed remarkable resilience. A first free position goal brought Downe House level, and continued dominance allowed another successful shot to put the team ahead for the first time. Maintaining possession in the final minutes prevented Berkhamsted from equalising, and the final whistle confirmed a historic victory.

The match perfectly showcased the passion, determination, and teamwork of our players. Beyond the U15A success, the Saturday Active programme has kept all students engaged in sport, whether learning circus skills or supporting the local community at Prior’s Court School. The term concluded with the Sports Department’s More than the Score Dinner, celebrating our award holders’ dedication and achievements.

This victory is a testament not just to skill, but to resilience, leadership, and the incredible spirit of Downe House sports. Congratulations to every member of the U15A Lacrosse team for an unforgettable term!

Director of Sport, Katie Lauder, commented:

We are so thrilled for the team. Making the final three years in a row is a significant achievement, and it is a testament to the girls’ resilience and self-belief that they made it third-time lucky this year! We have a squad of talented players, but their coaches worked hard to develop trust and cohesion within the team, and this made all the difference. We could not be more proud.