Two Northumberland teenagers with promising sporting careers have celebrated GCSE success at Dame Allan's School in Newcastle. Zach Hall and Charlie Wood have already achieved notable feats in their respective sports.
Charlie Wood's hockey achievements
Charlie, from Morpeth, represented Scotland in hockey at U16 level and has now progressed to the assessment stage of the Scotland U18 selection process. Born in Scotland, he qualifies to represent the country through his Scottish father.
The centre midfield player was first introduced to hockey at Dame Allan's. He now plays for Newcastle Hockey Club and trains three times a week, alongside weekend matches and strength and conditioning sessions.
Zach Hall's rugby pathway
Zach, from Acklington near Morpeth, is progressing through the Newcastle Red Bulls' youth rugby pathway. He plays on the wing for the Newcastle Red Bulls U17 Development team as well as Dame Allan's Schools' First XV. He only started playing rugby when he joined Dame Allan's in Year 9, before earning a place on the Red Bulls Development Player Pathway at the start of Year 10.
Both 16-year-olds have ambitions to achieve future success in their sports. They also secured strong GCSE results. Zach achieved five grade 9s, three grade 8s and a grade 7, while Charlie gained six grade 9s and three grade 8s.
Plans for sixth form and beyond
Zach, who credits Dame Allan's Head of Rugby Adam Hay as a major influence, said: "I'm feeling really happy. I got what I was expecting, so I'm glad. A lot was going on during my GCSEs, especially with my rugby, but I managed to balance it all really well." He added: "School was a big part of getting me playing, and Mr Hay helped me develop a lot. Playing for the Red Bulls is a really high-level environment."
Charlie, who plans to pursue ambitions in both medicine and hockey, said: "I'm over the moon with my GCSEs. It was so satisfying opening the results! I'm going to study A Levels in Maths, Chemistry and Biology at Dame Allan's because I want to go into medicine. There are lots of medics in my family – my mum is a paediatric doctor specialising in endocrinology, my dad is an orthopaedic surgeon, and my auntie and uncle are also medics."
Zach plans to remain at Dame Allan's for Sixth Form, studying A Levels in History, Geography and PE, while continuing his rugby ambitions. He hopes to progress into the Red Bulls U18s and eventually secure a contract to play professionally alongside university studies. He said: "I'd like to go to university and play rugby to a higher standard. I hope I get through, stay on U18 and get a contract while going to university."
Zach has also been inspired by former Dame Allan's pupil Will Graham, who captained the school's 1st XV before securing a two-year rookie contract with the Newcastle Red Bulls. "Will was a really good player and a real leader on the pitch," Zach added.
