Hockey Autumn Term

Seniors

Following a two-year hiatus, it was a relief to return to a form of normality at Sandroyd. The girls were obviously looking forward to returning to competitive sports at school. After such an absence, our key aim was to increase participation across all sports at Sandroyd. In the autumn term, hockey is the main girls’ sport and I am pleased to confirm we had more girls taking part in competitive sport than we have ever had in Sandroyd history. We are immensely proud of our children every time they take to the sports field, knowing they will give their best, and show great

U11

sportsmanship and commitment to their team.

In the senior years, we were able to field a record number of teams, including 1st to 5ths in hockey. The 1st & 2nd teams had a number of notable accomplishments, including a trip to Eastbourne for the U13 IAPS, the Canford tournament, the Bryanston tournament, and the annual hockey tour to Cornwall. We had a record number of girls experience success with the Dorset County hockey squad, namely Oriana B, Virginia M, Olivia C, Laura W & Daisy B winning places in the competition squad for 2021/22.

A number of these girls also took part in senior school scholarship assessment days and Oriana B & Laura W were successful in gaining scholarships to Canford and Kings Taunton respectively. The 1st and 2nd team girls also showed great leadership at school, led by hockey captain Virginia M. The team helped run our U9 hockey festival by umpiring, mentoring, and even serving match teas. One pupil was heard to comment “how do you do this job? It’s so hard!!” Our youngest Sandroyd hockey players are very lucky to have such positive female role models to look up to.

Faith Golding

The U11 girls had a fantastic season on the hockey field, going from strength to strength with a real desire to improve. Both the U11A and U11B came up against some strong talented sides but showed resilience and determination, keeping their composure and formation on the pitch. The U11A competed at the Hockey IAPS which was fast paced and a tough day out but they learnt from this experience and came bouncing back a few weeks later to win the Bryanston Tournament. I look forward to seeing the girls back on the pitch next season. Well done. Flo Kerr

U10

The mighty U10s! What a brilliant season they had. After establishing their roles within the team the girls were unstoppable. Brave and reliable is how I would describe our two goalies Penny and Amelia. They never gave up when it came to protecting their goal line and with the help of Emily-Rae, Bella and Sophia in defence not many balls got past them. Holding the midfield was Ottilie, Olivia, Annabel and Jemima where they created an excellent link and allowed the game to flow quickly back up the pitch. Finally, the goal scoring sensations of Savannah, Xanthe, Red, Alana and Viva took the U10s into top spot with an unbeaten season. Well done!

U8/9

Our U8 and U9 girls hockey teams took part in a number of fixtures against our local teams. They learned how to play as a team, which end of the stick to hit with, and also how to win and lose with grace. At this early stage, it is vital the girls learn to work together and develop the technical skills of hockey. Stick skills take time to develop and our U8s and U9s were given many opportunities to practise these skills every week. It is key at this age that competition is fun and a learning experience, rather than a source of stress. Every girl in the youngest age group made huge progress and more importantly, learned how to love hockey in a fun environment.

Faith Golding