Overseen by our PE Department and sports coaches, the awards were for our SISAC sporting teams in Basketball, Badminton, Volleyball, Netball, Rugby and Football, along with the Tiger Sharks Black Squad who competed in the Shanghai Swimming League. Awards were given for Most Improved, School Spirit and Most Valuable Player, as well as Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year.
Master of Ceremonies, Mr Andrew Howard and Principal Mrs Lesley-Ann Wallace kicked off the evening by looking at some of the outstanding successes of the Tigers this year; including our D1 Netball girls winning the SISAC tournament for the first time, overcoming their nemesis, Dulwich College; D1 7-a-side Football boys winning the ACAMIS tournament in Beijing; a swag of personal bests and team records from the Black Squad Tiger Sharks at ACAMIS Phuket; the Basketball girls SISAC plate win; and the D2 Football boys winning the league and cup without conceding a game. These were just some of the highlights of a fantastic year for the Pudong Tigers.
As the evening progressed, the clapping and cheering got louder as students and parents got into the celebratory atmosphere as each team came onto the stage and the individual awards were given out. The biggest cheer, in fact a massive Tiger roar, went up for our Year 13 student athletes who were recognised with a service to sport award.
The highly anticipated Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards went to Emiliano D'Angio and Anna Lamieri for their outstanding contributions to a wide range of sports this year. Making an impromptu speech, Emiliano spoke of how being involved in sport had enriched him as a person and his pleasure at being part of such excellent teams. Both Emiliano and Anna received standing ovations from their fellow student athletes.
There was a special gift of flowers, and lots of tears, for Early Years teacher and netball coach Mrs Suzanne Hugo who is moving on this year, but who has coached the netball squads at NAIS Pudong for five years. The students also named their own Coaches of the Year, the girls selecting Mr Craig Northedge and the boys giving their award to Mr Mark Keenan.
A full photo gallery from the evening can be found on the NAIS Pudong Facebook page here.