Kate Richardson-Walsh opens swimming pool at Northwood College for Girls

Girls and staff at Northwood College for Girls were delighted to welcome English field hockey player and Olympic Gold and Bronze medal winner, Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE OLY, into school to officially open their new pool. 

As part of the school’s ongoing investment programme, the £1.8m renovation project featured the installation of a new roof, ceiling, lighting, diving blocks and a motorised pool cover. The poolside and the pool tank have been re-tiled and the pool plant has been replaced with state of the art boilers, pumps, air handling unit and filters.

Visiting the school as a Squadkit Ambassador, Kate was most impressed by the school’s outstanding sport facilities and enjoyed a busy day packed with speeches and training sessions for the 850 students. Head, Mrs Zara Hubble, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Kate for officially opening our new pool and delighted that she treated our girls to such inspirational talks and invaluable sporting advice.”

The girls are thrilled with their new swimming facilities and will be enjoying swimming lessons, swimming galas, synchronised swimming, water-polo and aqua aerobics. Mrs Hubble said: “We embrace sport at Northwood College. Working hard to consistently stretch and challenge our girls, we always aim to motivate and support them to be the best they possibly can.

“We recognise the importance of promoting teamwork in school with all our girls taking pride in one another’s success and appreciating the value of collaboration. We also think it is vitally important to build resilience in our young women as we believe that strength of character is as important as academic success.”

The school currently offers over 70 extra-curricular clubs per week with sport featuring heavily in the programme. A, B and C teams participate regularly in local league fixtures for swimming, aquathon, badminton, netball, hockey, football, cross country and athletics.

An extensive sports offer also includes netball, hockey, badminton, football, touch rugby, climbing, gymnastics, dance, athletics, tennis, handball, yoga, pilates, fitness, rounders, aerobics, golf and cricket.  Being a GDST school allows the Northwood College girls to participate in a host of sport rallies with their sister schools across the country.

At the end of her visit, Kate concluded: “I had so much fun today – great to meet so many amazing staff and pupils who are so invested in getting the very best out of each other.”