Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) produced a remarkable weekend of sporting achievement, to be crowned the 2018 British Schools of the Middle East U11 Large School Games champions.
Top spot in the swimming, athletics and netball set the Dubai school on their way. Podium positions in the boys football and basketball were enough to clinch the titles in the tightest of finishes with The British School – Al Khubairat (BSAK) of Abu Dhabi hot on their heels.
DESS started as they meant to continue, with an emphatic opening day display on the athletics circuit. They secured no less than 10 podium finishes and Nicholas Fritz was GYS’s Athlete of the Day with a remarkable performance. Fritz was a double gold medal winner in the individual sprints and followed that up by taking silver at the long jump. Top spot in the athletics was followed up by an equally impressive performance in the pool, meaning maximum points in an incredible first day.
Day two saw another strong performance from DESS, but also served as a reminder to how strong the opposition was. The girls football saw a quarter final finish and the boys place in third, keeping DESS in a strong position but meaning the competition was wide open going into the final day.
The third and final day of action saw the girls take to the netball court and the boys to the football pitch. Boys football was a rollercoaster ride that eventually saw DESS pair with closest rivals BSAK in the final. Inspired by a Robert March masterclass, the Abu Dhabi school came out on top in that showdown. However the girls netball remained and there was no stopping DESS. A cup final victory over Kings’ School Dubai secured top spot in that competition and the overall crown.
All that was left was for the mathematicians to do their sums. In the end DESS amassed an incredible 88 points from a possible 96. The margin was only four points as BSAK pushed them all the way, with St Christopher’s of Bahrain finishing in third.
The celebrations began that evening at the fantastic awards ceremony put on by the hosts. DESS said on social media: “Well done to every member of the team who have been amazing all weekend! Massive thank you to Kings for all their hard work organising the games!”
Congratulations to DESS, from everyone at GYS. The victorious squad was as follows:
Michael Aubrey, Zac Pollard, Zialla Simon, Sophie Winders, Niamh Brennan-Batory, Aleisha Lindon, Marnus Wessels, Jacob Cassar, Jayden Strange, Rosie Lloyd, Sabrina Sheriffdeen, Kilion Abibariho, Badr Alami, Cian Gorani, Nabil Hannah, Nicholas Fritz, Matilda Mann, Florence Ashcroft, Caitlin Gowdy, Rakaan Al Toubah, Isla Edgar, Noah Vizzard, Nicol McMillan, Maisy Baker, James Linton, Ama Baffoe-Bonnie, Nicholas Van Loon, Alice McCann, Isla Henry, Mila Cass, Daisy Mullane, Andrew Ellis