From playground to centre court: Forest Hall St Mary’s take their shot at glory
What started as a school sports competition quickly turned into a real slam dunk moment for pupils at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Forest Hall!
Pupils had the opportunity to showcase their basketball skills on a major stage after qualifying for the final of the North Tyneside Hoops4Health competition, held during the Newcastle Eagles versus London Lions game at the Vertu Motors Arena.
A unique opportunity in front of a crowd of 4,000
The Year 5 team progressed through the full‑day tournament, securing their place in the final following a strong run of results.
“The tournament was a full-day event,” explained Year 5 Teacher Tom Johnson. “They played seven group games, and the winners and runners up from each group played in a quarter final on the day.
“The quarter-final winners were invited to play before the Newcastle Eagles game as a semi final, and then winners of the semi finals played the final at half time during the game. This was played on the court in front of the crowd of around 4,000 people.”
New to the competition but a triumphant win nonetheless
St Mary’s edged past Wellfield Middle School 2–0 in the semi-final, before securing a dramatic 6–4 victory over Marden Bridge Middle School in the closing moments of the final.
“We were 4-0 down with two minutes left to go,” continued Mr Johnson. “They managed to score two four-points to tie the game with 30 seconds left, then they stole the ball and managed to score the winning points with 10 seconds left to win 6-4.”
This was the school’s first time entering the annual competition, making the team’s triumph particularly notable.
“It was a great day out playing basketball,” added Mr Johnson. “Many children had not played competitive basketball before.
“The finals were a fantastic experience. Playing in front of the crowd, on the full court, was an experience they’ll never forget. It was great that so many of their friends and family were able to attend and support the team.”
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “This is exactly what school sport should be about — giving young people the confidence to step outside their comfort zone and the chance to experience something truly unforgettable.
“Seeing pupils perform on such a big stage, in front of thousands of people, shows the power of opportunities like Hoops4Health and the impact they can have far beyond the court.”
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School is a Schools North East Partner School. If you’d like to find out more about our Partner School membership, click here.
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