One month into the Academic Year 2015-2016 marks the start of the new season of inter-schools competitions across Qatar. This year SEK Qatar will continue to participate in the Schools Olympic Program (SOP), and Qatar United English Speaking Schools (QUESS).

This year SEK Qatar will compete in the SOP in Football and Basketball (Level 1 for Pre 5 and Grade 1); QUESS Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Netball, Rugby, and Volleyball; QPPSSA Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, and Football (Level 1 for Grade 2-3, Level 2 for Grade 4-5).

In 2014-2015, SEK Qatar won the QUESS Newcomer Award for its’ successful results in different sports tournaments.

The Physical Education Team looks forward to another year of sports competitions. We would like to wish best of luck to all coaches and players. Have fun!

On June 7th, SEK Girls’ Basketball team travelled to Mesaieed International School (MIS) to play two basketball matches. SEK draw 8-8 against MIS A team, and lost 12-4 points on the match versus MIS B team.

On the 9th of June, SEK hosted the Boys’ Basketball matches. Doha College (DC) A team won 13-12 points against SEK on what was a very competitive dispute until the end the match. SEK played a second match against DC B team with a final score of 17-4 points to DC B.

We would like to congratulate the SEK Boys’ Basketball team who at the start of the season lost 45-0 against DC A team, and now managed to come close to a win. Well done, team!

These matches finalised what was SEK International School Qatar first academic year participation in the Qatar United English Speaking Schools (QUESS) league. This was a successful first year participation for SEK Qatar and its’ Physical Education team. Well done to all the coaches, and many thanks for the support of all staff involved.

On Wednesday 11th of March, SEK Qatar hosted another QUESS basketball game against Compass International School. Al Khor International School (AKIS) was also scheduled to compete but, due to the U11 British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) Games taking place in Qatar, AKIS was unable to attend. SEK led the first half of the game. However, was unable to keep the lead in the score losing the game by 8-17 to Compass.

Wednesday, 4th of March was a day for QUESS Rugby. Doha Collage (DC) hosted and organised both U12 and U13 Boys’ Touch Rugby tournaments. The SEK team of Tag and Touch Rugby travelled to DC to participate in the only annual QUESS rugby event for U12 Boys’ Touch Rugby.

On the first game SEK faced DC. SEK boys showed some initial apprehension as this was their debut in a rugby competition. However, they responded really well to the opposition, and improved their performance on the second half of game. DC managed to score two tries, signing off with a win of 2-0 over SEK.

On the second game SEK managed to show their ability both at team-level and individual-level. With the boys clearly more reassured of their skills and ability, SEK managed to score four tries against the side of Sherborne International School Qatar to win 4-0. Tries were scored by: Mark Elsonbaty, Daniel García, Adrián García, Jamie Pombo.

Only three international schools took part on the QUESS U12 Touch Rugby Tournament 2014-2015. Results: DC won both their games, winning the champions’ trophy; SEK Qatar were Runners Up; Sherborne Qatar finished in 3rd place.

Keep practicing Rugby! Go Team!

U12 Boys’ Touch Rugby squad: Adrián García; Alejandro Tebar; Daniel García; Héctor Murillo Vañó; Jaime Pombo Rubio (captain); João Aleixo; John Elsonbaty; Marcos Tapia Salguero; Mario El Bechouti Salvador; Mark Elsonbaty.

Coach: Ms. Dalila Rodrigues.

On Tuesday, 3rd of March, SEK boys footballers played against the English Modern School (EMS) on another fixture of the QUESS U13 Boys’ Football League. The 10-a-side match was very competitive, with both teams creating many opportunities to score. SEK missed an opportunity to score a third goal with a penalty kick against EMS, signing the final score with a draw. Final score: EMS 2-2 SEK.

On Tuesday, 24th of February, SEK U13 Girls’ Football squad had another tournament. This time around the tournament was organised and hosted by the International School of London Qatar (ISLQ). On the group stage, the girls faced the sides from ACS International School Doha (ACS), Park House English School (PHES), Al Khor International School (AKIS). On our first match, we drew 1-1 ACS with a goal from Miriam. On our second match, we secure a win over PHES with a fantastic goal from Salma. On the third match, Victoria and Miriam were responsible for the two goals which, led our win over AKIS. SEK finished first on the group stage with 8 points, followed by ACS in second. PH were third, and in fourth place were AKIS.

On the semi-finals, SEK played against ISLQ who finished second of their group. The match’s result was decided with an unfortunate deflection from SEK’s own defender which, led to a goal for ISLQ.

Later, SEK faced again ACS on the match to decide third and fourth places. With one goal scored by both teams during regular time, the final score had to be resolved by penalties. With 3 goals and 3 defenses from SEK’s goalkeeper, the match was resumed at 4-1.

Matches’ results: SEK 1-1 ACS; SEK 1-0 PHES; SEK 2-0 AKIS; Semi-final: SEK 0-1 ISLQ; 3rd/4th places: SEK 4-1 ACS.

The following day, 25th of February, saw the U13 Boys’ Football squad travelling to Doha British School (DBS) for 2 matches of the QUESS league. SEK had the honour to present its captain, and new addition to the squad, the skilled Grade 4 pupil Daniel García who is only 9 years of age.

The first match, against the side from DBS was competitive and saw lots of goals. SEK was fortunate to win by 6-5, with a third goal scored by striker João Aleixo on the last minute of the 30-minute-match. In order, the SEK goals were scored by: Adrián García; Daniel García; João Aleixo; Alejandro Tebar; João Aleixo; João Aleixo.

SEK played its’ second match against a very strong side from Compass International School (CIS). SEK only managed to score 1 goal by captain Daniel García, who scored with an amazing corner kick. Final score: SEK 1-5 CIS.

Wednesday, 18th of February marked Qatar United English Speaking Schools (QUESS) U13 Girls’ Football Tournament organised and hosted by Al Khor International School (AKIS). Ten international schools participated on the event.

Pool A: Al Khor International School (AKIS); Compass International School (CIS); Dukhan English School (DES); Doha College (DC); Qatar International School (QIS).

Pool B: International School of London Qatar (ISLQ); SEK International School Qatar (SEK); Sherborne Qatar; Qatar Academy (QA); Park House English School (PHES).

On the group stage: SEK drew their first 7-a-side match against ISLQ without scoring. On our second match, SEK beat Sherborne with a great goal from Salma Elbechouti. The third match was also won against PH, with one goal from Miriam Gutierrez. On the fourth match, despite the great competitiveness and skills shown from both sides, SEK drew nil-nil with QA. With two wins and two draws SEK finished second on Pool B which, was topped by QA.

On the semi-finals, QIS played QA, and SEK played CIS. After regular time and extra time, neither SEK nor CIS had scored a goal. And so, the result had to be decided on penalties. Miriam Gutierrez defended CIS first penalty. SEK Salma scored the first goal. Both CIS and SEK missed their second penalty kick. As Miriam defended CIS third penalty, the final score was signed by Katerina Darby with a successful third penalty kick, closing the semi-final result with 2 goals to SEK, and nil goals to CIS.

SEK got to the final, and played against QIS. During regular time, SEK showed superiority but, did not manage to score any of the great opportunities created against opposition. The match went into extra time, and later decided on penalties. Great performances by both goal keepers saw the match resolved after 4 penalties from each team, with SEK GK Miriam Gutierrez scoring the only goal which, decided the Championship’s Winner.

Congratulations to all SEK female football team! The U13 Girls’ Football won the first QUESS trophy for SEK International School Qatar. Go Team!

U13 Girls’ Football squad: Amanda Horn; Claudia Morrondo; Katerina Darby; Gabriela de la Cuesta; Salma Elbechouti; Emilia Montalvo; Claudia Montalvo; Miriam Gutierrez de la Flor; Valentina Schell; Victoria Pérez.

Coaches: Ms. Dalila Rodrigues, Ms. Paula Rego.

Matches’ results: ISLQ 0-0 SEK; SEK 1-0 Sherborne; SEK 1-0 PHES; SEK 0-0 QA; Semi-final: SEK 2-0 CIS; Final: SEK 1-0 QIS.

On February 17th, S.E.K. U12 Boys’ Football accompanied by coaches Ms. Paula Rego and Ms. Dalila Rodrigues attended the tournament hosted by Compass International School (CIS). Three schools participated on the event, and Qatar Academy (QA) competed with two teams (QA-A and QA-B). Overall, on the 7-a-side game, SEK team did well. Initially, SEK played against CIS, and won 2-0 with goals from Adrian García and Mark Elsonbaly. On the second match, against Qatar Academy B (QA-B) again Adrian Garcia started the score sheet with an early goal from the penalty line. Later on, players Nicolás Montesinos and Mohammad Gharaibeh also scored, finalising the match with 3-0 win. On the final match, SEK faced QA-A, and despite showing a competitive attitude, was unfortunate to lose by two goals.

Matches’ results: SEK 2-0 CIS; SEK 3-0 QA-B; SEK 0-2 QA-A

Squad: Adrián García; Alejandro Tebar; Azhar Iqbal; Carlos Fernandes Heredi; Hector Vañó; Jorge Fernandes Heredi; Marcel Ramoneda; Mario Salvador; Mark Elsonbaly; Mohammad Gharaibeh; Nicolás Montesinos; Salahaddin Mustaffa; Suhaib Abuagla.

On Wednesday 21st, the U12 Boys’ squad began their QUESS championship hosted at International School of London Qatar (ISLQ). On the group stage, group B, SEK played against Doha College 2 winning the game with 1 goal. The boys later drew their match against Dukhan English School, 1-1.

Also competing on QUESS U12 Boys’ Football, on group A were Doha College 1; Compass International School Doha, and ISLQ. S.E.K. Qatar will play against Qatar International School on the second phase of the tournament which, will take place on the 21st of March at ISLQ.

Tuesday 20th marked the start of the QUESS U12 Girls’ Football with a tournament hosted by Doha College (DC).  Despite the few chances for training, S.E.K. girls pulled out some fantastic performances both individually, and as a team. On the group stages, SEK began with a 1-0 victory over Park House English School (PHES). On the second match, SEK got defeated against DC who scored 1 goal. Posterior to 1h20 rest, SEK faced Doha British School (DBC) winning the match 2-0. The girls kept a ‘no conceding goals mood’ against Al Khor International School (AKIS), scoring 2 goals on their fourth and last game of the group stages.

On the Semi-finals, DC won over Mesaieed International School (MIC), and SEK lost 1-2 against Qatar Academy Doha (QA). SEK faced MIC to dispute the third and fourth places. With a very competitive match, extra time was needed, leading to a decision on penalties as the teams had drew 0-0. The penalties shot out resulted in victory for SEK 3-1 MIC. QA won the final against DC.

All together, the girls played really well. The P.E. team would like to congratulate their efforts during their first tournament.

Group stage:

Group A: DC (12 points); SEK (9 points); DBS (4 points); AKIS (2 points); PHES (1 point).

Group B: QA (15 points); MIS (10 points); Al Jazeera Academy (7 points); Dukhan English School (6 points); International School London Qatar (4 points); English Modern School (0 points).

Overall Stand: 1st – QA Doha; 2nd – DC; 3rd – SEK Qatar; 4th – MIC.