Triple sporting success for Ben

A Hilltop Year 4 pupil, Ben Longley, is on top of the world after three sporting successes in one week.

It all began with a tennis victory in the Under 9s Junior Club Championships at Ashbourne Tennis Club on 16^th October. Then the very next day, Ben donned his football boots for Aztecs U9s and scored the only goal in their match, earning himself Player of the Match. Ben then capped it off by coming first for his age group in the Inter-Schools Cross-Country event at QEGS on Tuesday 19^th.

Ben said: “It’s been a brilliant week! I’m very happy. Last year, I was runner up in the tennis championships, so it was amazing to come first this time. The cross-country run was quite tricky and muddy, but fun.”

Ben’s teacher and Subject Lead for Sport at Hilltop Primary School, Samuel Greatorex, said: “We are all delighted for Ben. To do so well in three different sports, in one week, is incredible. The children had great fun at the Cross-Country event and really put their all into it. The older children were watching Ben’s race and when they saw he was in first place, they were so excited. They were cheering and really encouraging him along that final stretch; it was lovely to watch.”

Ben’s mother, Sally, said: “Ben has always been really active and interested in sport. He does football, tennis, cricket, and swimming. I think his general fitness must have helped him win the schools’ cross-country event. He started having tennis lessons when he was five at Ashbourne Tennis Club and has kept it up ever since — we are absolutely thrilled and of course, very proud of all his achievements.”   

Sporting talent clearly runs in the family as Sally herself recently won the Ladies Singles Championships at Ashbourne Tennis Club!

Got a success story to share?

If your child attends Hilltop and has done something you’re proud of, we would love to hear about it! Contact Mrs Bardell in the office to let us know.