Ben Hayes - Basketballer

Merely aged seven years old, Ben stood out playing basketball for Wells Warriors and progressed through the ranks to Somerset.  At under-12 level, he appeared for the South-West England Development squad in the prestigious Flanders Cup - the squad played against representative teams from sixteen different nations. 

Playing for Taunton Tigers under-14s in the 09/10 season, Ben enjoyed strong runs in several regional competitions and a second-place finish in the National League, which secured procedure League play-offs.  The team made the quarter finals, losing to Newham All-Stars - a London-based outfit, one of the best young basketball teams in the country - but it secured the Tigers a joint 5th finish out of all the under-14 teams in the country.  He was also awarded Player's Player, owing to the integral part he played in the squad's success.

 

Last season was a particularly fruitful year for the point-guard: he made the final 24 of the under-17 South-West Development squad, aged just 15.  He also appeared for Taunton Tigers under-18s, who won the South-West Conference, and made his debut for Wells Warriors Seniors.  Ben is five-feet tall - a large disadvantage in a sport which depends heavily upon height - and regularly plays above his age-group, making his achievements appear all the more remarkable.

Aoife Thorogood - Athlete

From the age of seven, Aoife demonstrated remarkable potential in athletics – particularly as a cross-country runner.  Competing in about two races a month, she caught the eye of many a coach as she strolled to victory in numerous Primary School competitions and was hastily recommended to join Mendip Athletics Club.

Her ascendency to success was as quick as her track times.  Initially starting out running for St Gregory’s Catholics School, she was selected to run for B&NES schools (Bath and North-east Somerset) and then immediately South-West England schools.  By the age of 13 she was running for England schools, appearing 4 times since.  That's England schools.  The pinnacle of her fledgling came when she participated in the UK Schools games, aged just 14.

Her personal accolades are impressive;  Aoife has won the Wessex League and South-West championships on several occasions, she came 10th in the nationally broadcasted English Schools Cross-Country, 4th in the 3000 metres and 1500 steeple chase at the English Schools Athletics competition, 8th in 3000 metres at the UK Schools Games and 2nd at the Dublin Championships.

Future goals for the running sensation? ‘Oh I’d love to compete in the Olympics.  Also, I’d like to represent Ireland at some point!’

Fair enough Aoife, fair enough.

Nathan Brown - Footballer, Swimmer, Archer

Multi-talented sportsmen are a rare commodity, however Nathan's ability has seen him excel in numerous sports.  He was one of a select fewin his year  who achieved an A* at PE GCSE; his main sports are football, swimming and archery.

He played football as a goalkeeper for the two most dominant Midsomer Norton and District Youth Football League teams in his age-group.   Primarily a Chilcompton Sports player, the shot-stopper switched allegiance to Wells City in the 08/09 season; winning numerous league titles and cup medals for both.  

Nathan is also a keen swimmer.  The 17 year old has been swimming for 9 years at Wells and Shepton Mallet Swimming Club, specialising in front-crawl and competing in various local galas.  A particular highlight is the specialised training he received at the Bryanston Swimming Development Camp from five times 200m butterfly World Champion, four times European Champion and twice world record holder, James Hickman. Nathan also utilises his skills for the benefit of others; he is a life-guard at Wells Leisure Centre and currently coaches the younger swimmers at his club.

Furthermore, Nathan is a keen-eyed archer, having been a member of Yeo-Bowmen for two years.  His most prestigious accolade is the Burnham Cup - a competition hotly contested by archers throughout Somerset, including county representatives.

Recently Nathan has established an Ultimate Frisbee Team at his school; for him, its just another sport to conquer.