Monday 17th June to Friday 21st June sees the nation's schools celebrating National School Sport Week 2024. Each year the Youth Sport Trust dedicates one week to promoting PE in schools and co-curricular activities. This year's theme, powered by Sports Direct's Monster Kickabout, brings a special one-off Euro 2024 event that emphasises football as a means to engage young people in PE, sport and play. At BGS, we have been celebrating the week with lots of competitive events within lessons. We encourage you all to get out and get active as much as you can!

#NSSW got off to a flying start with some football tournaments for the boys. With lots going on during the week, let’s hope the weather stays nice.

Click here to view the National Schools Sports Week 2024 Photo Gallery.

Euro 2024 ~ What you need to know

14th June ~ 14th July 2024

The UEFA EURO 2024 final tournament is just around the corner and is scheduled to take place from 14 June to 14 July 2024. This year it will take place in Germany, spanning over 10 stadiums. It first started in the 1960s in France, but it only included 4 countries and the first winner was The Soviet Union.

The group stage runs until 26 June, with the knockout stage beginning on 29 June.

The countries taking part are:

Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France
Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine
Group F: Türkiye, Georgia, Portugal, Czechia

England's 26-man squad are:

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

The final will take place on the 14th July 2024, but only one team can win.

Riley Boyle, Year 12

Football Events

With the 2024 Euros underway, this year we have included a football tournament for all students in their PE lessons, giving all students a chance to play competitively.

Bexley Grammar has had a lot of success in football competitions this year, with the First XI winning the Kent Premier League. Our Year 8 Squad reached the final in the North Kent Cup (just pipped by Wilmington Grammar) and our Year 9s were crowned champions in the Kent Cup.

We are super proud of all of our students, and we would like to thank and congratulate all students who have represented BGS in all sports. A big congratulation to the students below, who have been selected by teachers and coaches to get a special mention following a fantastic football season.

National School Sports Week Award Winners

We are thrilled to present the below awards to students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and enthusiasm by actively participating in numerous sports clubs. Your commitment, sportsmanship, and passion for physical activity have set a shining example for your peers. Your involvement not only enhances your own skills and well-being but also contributes significantly to the vibrant sporting community at our school. Congratulations on your outstanding achievement, and thank you for inspiring others with your dedication to sports.

Summer Events

Cricket T20 World Cup

4th June ~ 30th June 2024

The Cricket World Cup 2024:
England’s Fixtures and Key Dates

As the cricketing world gears up for the 2024 Cricket World Cup, excitement and anticipation are at an all-time high. This prestigious tournament, set to take place throughout the West Indies and areas of the United States, promises thrilling matches and intense competition amongst the world's best cricketing teams. The tournament begins on June 4th and will culminate on June 29th at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

England enters the competition with a strong squad, carrying the nation’s hopes with them.

The England squad is composed of:

Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley and Mark Wood.

The groups for the tournament are as follows:

Group A: Canada, India, Ireland, Pakistan, USA
Group B: Australia, England, Namibia, Oman, Scotland
Group C: Afghanistan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, West Indies
Group D: Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Netherlands

The top two sides from each group then progress to the Super 8s stage of the event, with the bottom three teams from each group eliminated.

Jacob Jeffrey, Year 12

Tour de France

29th June ~ 21st July 2024

The Tour de France is one of the world's most prestigious and gruelling cycling races, held annually since 1903. It is held in France with occasional segments in neighbouring countries. Originating as a promotion by the French newspaper L'Auto, the race spans 21 stages over 23 days, covering around 3,500 kilometres and featuring a mix of terrain. Cyclists compete for various jerseys, including the yellow jersey for the overall leader, the green jersey for the best sprinter, the polka dot jersey for the top climber, and the white jersey for the best young rider.

The teams consist of eight riders facing challenging terrain, from the Alps to the Pyrenees, with the race traditionally concluding on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The event attracts millions of spectators, with last year there being 42.5 million viewers in just France alone. Famous winners of the event include Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault. However, the race has seen many doping scandals, the most famous being Lance Armstrong being stripped of his medals after being found cheating. Despite this, the Tour de France remains the most famous cycling event in the world, with a very large number of viewers each year.

This year's race starts on the 29th June at 11:00am. The event starts in Florence and then ends three weeks later on 21st July in Nice, with daily coverage taking place on various TV Channels. We can see 8 different British Cyclists taking part in the Tour de France this year, all in various teams.

Hopefully we see one of them win!

Jed Baulch, Year 12

Wimbledon

1st July ~ 14th July 2024

As summer is just getting started, the world’s eyes turn to London once again for the oldest and arguably most prestigious tennis tournament, Wimbledon. This year promises to be a great showcase of athletics, tradition and emerging talents!

Wimbledon stands out from other tennis tournaments due to its history and commitment to tradition. Players wear white and compete on beautiful grass courts where spectators enjoy the games with their prosecco, strawberries and cream!

Reigning men’s singles champion Novak Djokovic aims for another Grand Slam victory against formidable opponents like Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev. Last year, we experienced a historic and thrilling match where Carlos Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in a gruelling five-set battle, resulting in Alcaraz’s first Wimbledon title. Will he be back to claim his second this year, will Djokovic get his 8th Wimbledon Crown, or will we be pleasantly surprised by a new talent?

Sophie Pooley, Year 12

Paris Olympics 2024

26th July ~ 11th August 2024

The countdown to the Paris Olympics 2024 has started and is set to be a spectacular event, with high hopes placed on this year’s competition, especially the women’s 100m, as the top female athletes of the year once again go head-to-head for this worldwide showdown. However, the United Kingdom has created a formidable and exceptional team of athletes with the potential to leave marks in this year’s competition. One to look out for is GB's very own 100 and 200 sprinter, Dina-Asher Smith.

Dina Asher-Smith, who is already a household name in the UK, is expected to be one of the standout stars of the Paris Games. As the reigning World Champion in the 200 metres and European Champion in both the 100 and 200 metres, Asher-Smith has consistently demonstrated her amazing ability on the track. Her exceptional speed and determination definitely makes her a favourite for multiple medals in Paris, and she will be a key figure in Britain's athletics team. Going up against the likes of Sha'Carri RICHARDSON, Shericka JACKSON, Shelly-Ann FRASER-PRYCE to name a few, Dina ASHER-SMITH is most definitely a fan favourite.

Another athlete to look out for is 16-year-old skateboarder, Sky Brown. Already a skateboarding prodigy, having won bronze in the women's park skateboarding event at Tokyo 2020, making her one of the youngest Olympic medallists in history. At just 13, her exceptional talent and fearless approach to the sport were on full display. Despite a serious injury a year before the Games, Brown made a swift recovery, showcasing her resilience and determination. Her innovative tricks and fearless style have gained international acclaim, setting her apart in the competitive skateboarding world. She definitely aims to inspire young athletes to work hard at doing what they love.

The Paris 2024 Olympics not only provides a platform for these incredible athletes but also represents a return to the roots of the modern Olympic movement. With the inclusion of new sports like breakdancing and the introduction of mixed-gender events, the Games continue to evolve. As the countdown to Paris continues, British athletes are training hard, fuelled by the hopes and dreams of a nation.

Beth Abegunde-Williams, Year 12

Paris Paralympics

Wednesday 28th Aug ~ Sunday 8th Sept 2024

Shooting Para Sport at Paris 2024

As the countdown to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games begins, anticipation is mounting for one of the most thrilling events on the schedule: Shooting Para sport. Set to take place between 30th August and 5th September at the prestigious Chateauroux Shooting Centre in central France, this competition promises to be the ultimate test of accuracy and control.

In shooting para sport, athletes are renowned for their steady hand, unwavering concentration, and emotional control. Techniques such as focused and controlled breathing play a pivotal role in reducing heart rate and enhancing stability for optimal performance. Competitors engage in rifle and pistol events across various distances, each aiming to land shots closest to the centre of a 10-ring target.

With up to 160 athletes from around the globe expected to participate, the stage is set for a showcase of talent and technique. Amongst the standout names in the sport's history is Sweden's Jonas Jacobsson, widely regarded as the most decorated shooter of all time. His remarkable achievements serve as a testament to the dedication and skill required to excel in this demanding discipline.

Not to be overshadowed, Australia's Elizabeth Kosmala has left an indelible mark as the most successful female athlete in shooting para sport. Her nine gold medals and three silvers, earned between 1976 and 1988, are a testament to her enduring legacy in the sport.

However, it's China that has been a dominant force in recent Games, clinching the top spot on the medals table for the third consecutive time at Tokyo 2020. With four gold medals out of the 13 up for grabs, China's shooters showcased their prowess on the international stage once again.

The Chateauroux Shooting Centre, a state-of-the-art facility inaugurated in 2018, stands as one of Europe's largest shooting venues. Equipped with multiple shooting ranges, it provides the perfect setting to host all 13 Paralympic events. Beyond Paris 2024, the centre will continue to serve as a venue for international competitions, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of the global Para sport community.

As the Games draw nearer, excitement builds for what promises to be a thrilling display of athleticism, determination, and sportsmanship in the Shooting Para sport competitions. With history in the making and medals up for grabs, the world eagerly awaits the action to unfold at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre.

Mateja Smailys-Bartkus, Year 12