Clare Balding hosts Chiswick School sports awards

Clare Balding OBE, fourth from the left; Laura Ellener, head teacher, on the end at the right

Her speech “captured the power of sport to unite, uplift, and transform”

Students at Chiswick School who were nominated for sports awards this summer were treated to the most professional presentation of an award ceremony ever witnessed by a school.

Clare Balding, TV presenter for BBC Sport and Channel 4, has presented eight Olympic Games, five Winter Olympics, five Commonwealth Games and five Paralympic Games, as well as events such as the Lord Mayor’s Show and Trooping the Colour, and programmes such as Countryfile on television and Good Morning Sunday on BBC Radio 2.

She was president of the Rugby Football League for two years, has presented Channel Four Racing and commentated on the Boat Race, so what she doesn’t know about sport or presentation really isn’t worth knowing.

Fresh from presenting this year’s Wimbledon, she was at Chiswick School this week to present the Sports Awards. More than 300 students, parents, and staff gathered for “a truly unforgettable evening”, said head teacher Laura Ellener.

Clare on stage presenting the Sports Awards

Clare, who lives in Chiswick, gave an inspiring opening speech which “captured the power of sport to unite, uplift, and transform — a message that resonated with everyone in the room”, said Laura.

She talked about the lessons of sport: teamwork, mastering skills, and overcoming adversity, but she also explained how if you have a passion for sport, there are many jobs in the world of sport beyond being an actual sportsperson.

Although she is best known as a TV sports presenter, she also reflected on her time as a jockey.

Winners!

There were over 60 awards presented. The major award winners were:

• Sportsman of the Year: Kamran
• Sportswoman of the Year: Nylah
• Ali Abucar Award: Alba
• Mills Shield: Amal
  
  

  

  

  

  

Some of the students on stage, receiving their awards from Clare Balding

One of the parents, business journalist Dougal Shaw, whose daughter was nominated for an award for football, told The Chiswick Calendar:

“I was very impressed that Clare Balding devoted so much time to the event, by both giving a speech and personally giving out every award (in numerous categories!) – and such a short time after her exhausting Wimbledon duties had finished!”

Another parent, Boris Pomroy, commented on social media:

“What an amazing night. Thank you so much for all the hard work in putting it on – and the passion and care you show for the kids all year round”.

Congratulating the sports staff, Laura said the event was “a celebration of dedication, teamwork, and outstanding achievement across our sporting community.”

End of year production, James and the Giant Peach

It is usually the drama and music departments which receive most of the attention, for a very full schedule of ambitious performances both in school and out in the wider community of Chiswick. This year has seen 27 performances across ten different venues, involving more than 150 students in at least one production.

Two weeks ago they put on the final performance of the year, a highly successful production of James and the Giant Peach.

Chiswick School Leavers day

The summer term ended on Friday with the Leavers Assembly – “a heartwarming and memorable event filled with laughter, reflection, and more than a few tears—from both students and staff” said Laura.

The leavers walked out through a tunnel of Year 7s holding balloons, cheering them on and wishing them good luck — ‘a surreal but beautiful moment’, she added.

The day of celebration ended with the traditional School Prom and the choosing of a Prom King and Queen.

Read more stories on The Chiswick Calendar