In October each year the Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland choose their NI Performance Squad for the forthcoming season. James Farrell, Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland’s (RYANI) Performance Manager, is charged with the responsibility of identifying talented young sailors and then nurturing them through the RYA’s “Pathway” to competing at National and International levels. Sam Rutherford (10C) is one of the sailors he has identified with potential within the Laser Radial Class and has picked as a member of the Northern Ireland Squad. This squad is made up of the best 12 Laser Radial Sailors in the province, usually aged 16 to 19. As Sam only turned 14 during the selection process it makes him one of the youngest sailors ever selected on NI laser Radial Squad and with the potential for another 5 years training and competing at this level Sam is perfectly placed to move up the IRL and GBR rankings. With funding from Sport Northern Ireland, Sam will be required to attend and compete at key National Events, practice in his own time and meet fitness testing targets. The objective is to get the sailors into the elite IRL or GBR National Squad.

Following the Interpros at the at the weekend Matthew Crookshanks (14B), Fergus Gibson (13C), Tom Robson (13E) and Harry Morris (12E) have been included for trials for the Ireland U18 team.

Sullivan played Campbell College in their last game of the group stage of the McCullough Cup. With a few changes through injury and illness Sullivan started the first half and too the lead through Fergus Gibson, soon followed by a second from Chris Mitchell. At the start of the second half Sullivan started slowly and Campbell had their best part of the game, fighting back to two all. Sullivan then went up a few gears and goals from Matthew Crookshanks and another from Fergus Gibson closed out the game. Final Score – Sullivan 4 (F Gibson 2, M Crookshanks and C Mitchell) Campbell College 2 Sullivan top their group unbeaten they now face Banbridge Academy on 30 November with a 3.00 pm start at Comber Leisure Centre.

Congratulations to Sullivan Upper School’s 2nd XV who beat The Royal School, Armagh in the 2nd XV Cup, 27-26

Madi Crawshay-Ralston (9A) represented Northern Ireland in The Irish Open Diving Competition recently and achieved a 5th place. This was a fantastic result considering we had divers from as far afield as Dubai. For more information please see their website: http://www.swimireland.ie/irish-open-diving-championship-2016/

Congratulations to Matthew Willis (Year 12) who has been selected for Ulster U16s and following the Interpros at the at the weekend Matthew has been included for trials for the Ireland U16 team.

Year 10 pupils, Oliver Butt, Ella Andrews and John Haycock, who participated in the Geographical Association’s World Wise Quiz at the start of November at Queen’s University, Belfast. The team performed well against a number of Year 11 teams in the preliminary stages of the quiz. They finished in the middle of the table but did not reach the final on this occasion. Great effort.

Sam Anderson (9G) recently took part in the Belfast City Council Youth Commonwealth Games ‘Find a Sports Star’ launch. For more information go to http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/leisure/sportsdevelopment/sports-star.aspx.

Sullivan competing at Round 1 of the N Ireland Fencing Junior Foil Series In the U12 Girls, SU year 8 fencers filled places 1 to 3, with Emma Yeaman taking gold, Alex Burke silver and Olivia White bronze. Hannah Robinson finished just outside the medals at 5th. The U14 Girls’ event saw SU year 9, Willow Wolsey take bronze, as she put up a good semi-final fight against the eventual winner, Dasha Lee from Dublin club Pembroke. Year 10 pupil Anna Vaughan won the other semi fairly easily, then faced Lee in the final. After falling behind, Anna began a strong come-back to bring the scores level at 14-14, only to miss her last lunge attack and lose 14-15 to take the silver medal. Year 9s Izzy Evans and Rachel McKillen, year 8 Victoria Morris and year 9 Tara Miller finished 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th respectively. In the U14 Boys event SU year 9s Oliver Galbraith, Michael Hanna and Cormac Kitchen had a tough time competing against very experienced Pembroke fencers but still finished 6th, 8th and 9th. Year 11s Erin Maginn and Phoebe McPherson ended up fencing each other in the U16 Girls’ quarter-finals, with Erin just edging out Phoebe 15-13 in a very close fight. Erin went on to take bronze, losing out to the eventual U16 winner in the semi-final. Well done all SU fencers who attended. David White SUFC Coach 8 November 2016

Congratulations to the following five Sullivan pupils who have been selected to represent Ulster U18 in this year’s hockey interpros: Matthew Crookshanks, Tom Robson, Fergus Gibson, Harry Morris and Matthew Morris.

On Friday 28 October 2016, 30 junior rugby players from Sullivan set off for the Kingspan Stadium to watch Ulster take on Munster in their Pro 12 league fixture. After Munster’s tragic loss in recent weeks of Head Coach Axel Foley in which the rugby community have showed fantastic spirit to rally around the Irish province it was sure to be an emotionally charged match. Munster’s never give up attitude saw them strike a late drop goal to win the game 15-14 as both sides played out a tense affair. The Sullivan boys enjoyed the experience even though the result didn’t go the way of the home team. The U12’s followed their enthusiasm to watch rugby by playing against Wallace on Saturday morning, in what was their second fixture as a group. The result finished equal as both team won 2 out of the 4 matches played. The 1st XV were also in action on Saturday 29th October against St. Munchins College from Limerick, who were on a short tour of Northern Ireland. After a hard fought game St Munchins finished victors as they walked away with a 24 – 12 win after a disappointing 1st half from the home team. Well done to all involved, special thanks must go to Mr Miller, Mr Finlay, Mr Eves and Mr Patterson who facilitated the trip on Friday evening.

Her next event is The Irish Open Diving Competition taking place at The National Aquatic Centre in Dublin from Friday 11 November until Sunday 13 November 2016. This event will include the whole of the UK, Ireland and European countries