Success on the Hockey Pitches
The hockey season is always met with great excitement at BGS, and this year is no exception. With a total of 30 teams playing over 100 fixtures, from Years 3 to the Upper Sixth, it has been an extremely busy and successful season.
Deputy Director of Sport, Mr Sam Mee, looked back at the highlights of his first season coaching hockey at BGS.
“Integral to our programme is the holistic and continual development of our students from Years 3 through to the Upper Sixth. As a coaching team we recognise the importance of nurturing talent from a young age, by providing comprehensive training and mentorship opportunities to foster growth and progression across all of our sports. Through structured coaching, personalised guidance, and a supportive environment, we aim to produce not just skilled athletes but also resilient, confident individuals capable of overcoming challenges both on and off the field. We try to follow a blueprint across all our hockey teams so that the transition through the year groups sticks to the identity of BGS’ style of play, encouraging risk taking and high energy hockey.
There have been outstanding achievements across all our teams this season. I have been extremely pleased with how the students have played, and also how passionate they are about their hockey. They are proud to turn up and to represent their school. They are lucky at BGS that as a large girls’ school, we are able to field a number of teams in each year group, offering a wide range of opportunities and giving a large number of students the chance to play a competitive game each week. This is unusual and really enables us to grow the depth of our squad from an early age and encourage great participation across each year group and stages of the school.”
The highlights of this season were two of our top teams gaining places in the finals of the U19 Independent Schools Hockey Championship and England Hockey Tier 1 Plate national competitions, with the First XI and the Under 16s both making their way through the rounds and vying for coveted national trophies.
Mr Mee added: “To have two teams playing in the finals of a national competition is extraordinary; it demonstrates the breadth and depth of talent we have at BGS. Our programme supports our aspirations of bringing our home-grown players through the school and playing top tier hockey. It is very inspiring for our younger students to see the older teams doing so well.”
The First XI showed impressive determination and skill to claim the title of Independent Schools Plate National Champions, narrowly edging out Scarborough College in a closely fought final. After a 1-1 draw, BGS emerged victorious in the penalty shootout. With support from the school community, they exemplified how hard work can lead to remarkable success. Similarly, the U16 team's journey to the National Plate Final was notable, with a convincing 5-2 victory over Altrincham Grammar School for Girls. In the Final against Sutton Valence School in March, despite their efforts to equalise at 4-3, Sutton Valence School capitalised on a breakaway, resulting in a 5-3 win in their favour. Nonetheless, it was an impressive season, and everyone involved should be immensely proud of the U16 team's efforts and performance.
Mr Mee reflected: “Although on the day the trophy eluded them, the U16s played fantastically exciting hockey at each stage of the England Hockey Tier 1 Plate Competition and narrowly missed the top place. Their journey across the season underscores the inherent talent and promise of this team, they should be extremely proud of their achievement. I am confident that they are well placed for future successes and the experience of playing in a national final will stand them in good stead as they move into the next two years.
The success of this season bears testament to the passion and resolve exhibited by our hockey players. From the triumphs of our First XI to the valiant effort of our U16s, each achievement represents a significant milestone in our pursuit of excellence and wide range of opportunity. As we celebrate these successes, it is important to consider the commitment of all our students on our hockey programmes, who turn up to all the practices and weekend matches. The dedication to their sport is admirable and builds a culture of participation and aspiration. As I look back at my first season at BGS, I am extremely proud of what the students have achieved but also, importantly, extremely excited by the future for hockey at BGS.”
The Muse | 14
