St Thomas the Apostle College’s U13 handball team has won the National Handball Championship.
The Nunhead school side secured the prestigious prize with a 9-3 thrashing of Sprowston Community Academy, Norwich, in the final, on June 10.
The team had qualified for the tournament, hosted at Nottingham University, having already won the London and South East of England Championships.
Their triumph, which saw them lose just one game across two tournaments, marks a seminal moment for the secondary school and 6th form, which now boasts a national title for the first time in its history.
Coach Mr Whitfield said: “I take immense pride in the boys’ remarkable achievement, and their unwavering dedication throughout the year has been truly exceptional.
“Their well-deserved crowning as national champions is a testament to their hard work and passion.
“With their sights set on the future, they eagerly anticipate resuming their training to defend the title in the upcoming year.”
The tournament featured a tricky start for the boys, who lost their first game against The Liverpool Blue Coat School by a margin of 8 – 11.
But the team bounced back and swept aside numerous teams, clinching victory in the semi-final with a 10 – 1 rout.
Tommy, the captain, said: “The experience was truly incredible, as we maintained our resilience despite the setback of losing the initial game. Leading the team to our school’s inaugural national championship filled me with immense pride. Furthermore, the opportunity to strengthen our bond as teammates was truly special.”
Handball, which is most popular in Scandinavia, is a game where opposition teams try to score goals in the opposing net using their hands, arms, body or knees.
