Page 109 - Herioter 2020

and coaches Hawkins and Ford were them in good stead for the rest of their possible for those leaving S6s. Firstly,
talking of cup runs and moving up the footballing careers. a massive thank you to Head Coach
league table, the Christmas break halted It has been a season of transition for Hawkins for everything he has done
progress. The boys returned ‘champing the boys and although the season for the team over the last two years.
at the bit’ and were desperate for ended abruptly, I genuinely think He has helped develop the boys, not
game time. Coach Hawkins did his best that the boys have gained a vast only as footballers, but as people.
to fight against teams pulling out last amount of experience and avoided the Thank you also to Steven ‘Stevie’ Ford
minute and demanding impossible kick disappointment that knockout football whose passion and energy constantly
off times, and eventually after nearly often brings. The team is full of amazing motivates the boys. Thanks also to Mr
two months with no football, we had young players and I leave knowing that Gray for coaching the younger teams
a fixture. It was a SISFA group decider they will go on to do great things over and giving football at Heriot’s a deeper
against Stewart’s Melville. The boys the next two seasons. It was always meaning: ‘He who pass’th the ball to me
battled valiantly but the lack of playing going to be a hard task following is mine own brother.’ Lastly, thank you
time showed and in the time off several on from one of the most successful to Mr Hills for arranging the team buses
players had picked up injuries, leaving seasons in Heriot’s footballing history, and co-ordinating all things football-
fewer than 14 fully fit first team players but despite some poor results, I am related. Without these people, senior
available for selection, at what was the incredibly proud of the way the boys boys’ football at Heriot’s would not be
where it is today.
most important point in the season. have handled themselves over the
One of these injured players was Lauro, course of the season. Thank you for the memories; onwards
who found himself in the rare position Finally, I would like to thank a few and upwards.
with some time on his hands, away from people who have made this journey Bruno Steel (Captain)
the football and rugby pitches. Finally, a
chance to take a much-needed trip to with participation from a range of year
the barber, but alas ‘extra French’ called. groups. Some were disappointed and
It was at this point in the season that some were ecstatic to see Raeburn
school football veterans, Innes ‘I left take the title, but at the end of the day
my boots at home’ Skinner, LC7, Doug Heriot’s won!
‘Stud’ Blood and Bruno Steel knew It has been a great honour to co-
that they needed to stand up and be captain the badminton team this
counted. Our brave heroes fought with year and it’s great to give back to
pride and dignity, but it wasn’t enough. the school after playing with the
Defeats in the following weeks meant badminton team for six years. We were
very glad to receive half-colours and
that the season was almost over with it has definitely given us motivation
knockout football of any kind seeming a to continue playing badminton after
long shot. And then all of a sudden, the BADMINTON: leaving Heriot’s. A big well done
season was over. The dream was gone, to everyone who participated in
the coronavirus pandemic preventing a game for school badminton this year and we look
a glorious send off. The S6 boys were forward to seeing more success in the
left with the bitter taste of ‘what could and for life future!
have been’. There was to be no players The badminton season came to a Heen Shamaz (Co-Captain)
versus staff football match, which was conclusion in March, bringing an
disappointing: Mr Ford would not get end to a successful year of training
the chance to ‘halve’ LC7, and McCall and competing. We played hard
would not get the chance to give away and tried our best to train the best
his tenth penalty of the season. It was team possible. We entered the U19
an eventful season, both on and off the Mixed Knock-Out Cup this year.
Unfortunately, we lost in the first
pitch for the boys. The experience that round against Watson’s, but some of
the younger members of the squad the matches were very close, and it
have gained is simply incalculable. was a good experience for some of
Whilst the majority of 15-year olds our younger players. The U19 boys
in the school were stressing over played a friendly against Merchiston
there first set of prelims, Daniel Hood Castle which resulted in a draw. We
and Adam Weir were busy putting in have enjoyed playing fixtures and have
stellar performances week in week out been supported by our friends. House
against boys three years older. This is Badminton was a success once again,
the type of experience that will stand

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