HALDON Tug of War Club competed at GENSB in Staffordshire in August, an international youth tug-of-war tournament for 12- to 18-year-olds.

The host countries of Germany, England, Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium give the tournament its name. 

It was organised this year by The English Tug of War Association and held at Keele University. There were 337 competitors from 10 different countries, with 37 teams all hoping to win the trophy.

The members of Haldon’s team were: Jenny Hawkey, Charlotte Davie, Harry Grigg, Harry Hustwayte, George Baxter, Hayden Vooght, William Davie and Noah Roberts. They were joined by coaches Simon Wallace, Emma Davie and Georgia Hill. 

This was the team’s first international competition; they went with no expectations just a chance to experience tug of war at a higher level. They were drawn against teams from South Africa, Switzerland, Germany, Belgian, Netherlands, Ireland and England. 

In the group stage they won four, drew three and lost one. This left them in third place and make it to the last 16. They met a team from Switzerland unfortunately losing 2-0 and that was the end of their competition.

The team finished overall in 14th place out of 37. 

Emma Davie