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SPORT
In the Upper School it was wonderful to have so many pupils wanting to represent the College, creating selection headaches for the coaches “
respective leagues despite some friendly losses. With many Year 13s in these squads, and after the postponements of previous seasons, it was fitting that so many were part of the College’s first league-winning teams in their final year. The 1st XI had an extraordinary season; after telling defeats in the Michaelmas term, work needed to be done. A change in shape and lots of hard work on the training pitch saw the team adopt a new strategy where they aimed to outplay and out pass every team they played. By the end of January, fortunes began to change; a 0–2 loss to Berkhamsted earlier in the year became a 4–1 victory, after which wins against Royal Russell and St Paul’s followed, with the league form continuing into both the London and Trinity cups. In the Trinity Cup, a direct KCS Wimbledon deservedly won in the semi-final, and in the London Cup final, a penalty shootout loss to that same KCS team showed again the resilience and determination of the Dulwich team, especially coming back from two goals down. But on the final Saturday of the term, the league came to a head. The 1st XI needed to beat Epsom to be crowned champions, having only lost once in a fantastic match away to Harrow. In a nervy affair, that determination and team spirit once again shone through, and saw the team win 3–1 to rightly become 1st XI league champions. This was a fantastic achievement for the squad, highlighting what can be achieved with hard work and team spirit. Overall, 2021/22 was an incredible football season across the College: it included an U13 national title victory; nine out of 15 of the southern independent schools league trophies; the 1st XI and 2nd XI reaching the latter stages of senior competitions; and pupils playing in over 370 fixtures (more than ever before). But, perhaps more importantly, all pupils regardless of their squad had a wonderful experience and showed so much progress. Well done to every pupil who has represented the College this year. Dulwich Football continues to go from strength to strength and I cannot wait to get going again next year.
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