EX-STUDENT Marlo Boyd was guest speaker at Gillingham School’s annual sports awards evening.

Marlo was an accomplished school athlete, playing for all the teams she could, but was perhaps best known as a competitive Wiltshire tennis player.

She left school in 2012 and, inspired by that year’s Olympics in London, went on to be a Henley level rower.

After major back surgery she started to play rugby at university and went on to play in the Premiership with Bristol Bears.

Her experiences in a range of sports gave the audience an insight into ambitions and resilience, and the highs and lows of elite sport.

During the evening, players’ players awards were given in hockey, netball, football, rugby, handball, cricket and basketball.

Students who had shown dedication and commitment to several sports were also rewarded with coaches’ commitment awards.

Recognition was also given to those students involved in sports leading and coaching within the school, primary feeder schools and the local community.

After the interval the evening moved onto individual awards which included recognition of pupils involved in high level rugby.

The evening ended with the presentation of the coveted Sports Personalities of the Year Awards to Lower and Upper school students.

Award winners: Upper School Sports Personalities: Kenton Ward and Thea Primrose; Lower School Sports Personalities: Monty Luck and Tabby Poole; Burton Cup: Lyra Medlock; Ford Cup: Alicia Foot and Hester Readman; Digby Cup: Owain Newing; Sports Challenge Award: Oli Morland; Unsung Hero: Kai Marks; Maidment Cup: Connor Robinson; Duke of Edinburgh Award: Ifor Jones; Dancer of the Year: Anna Ovenden; Swimmers of the Year: Freddie George and Katie Knight; Cross-Country Runner of the Year: Danny Dacombe; Archer of the Year: Samuel Fudge; Tennis player of the Year: Ruen Collins; Pippen Shield: Beth Walford; Pippen Cup: Gracie Williams; Bultitude Cup: Bella Hughes; Barton-Smith Cup: Imogen Mogridge; Coach of the Year: Oscar Lewis; Young Sports Leader: Poppy Marshall.