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Girls' Hockey
This report is adapted from the end of term speech given by students.
After the long-awaited return to competitive school hockey, it was good to be back. With this being both ours and Mr Opie's final season of Kingswood Girls’ Hockey, it needed to be a good one and we can confidently say that it was!
129 games were played across 10 weeks, and on Saturdays we had up to 17 teams competing, involving over 200 girls.
The Westwood teams had some strong score lines, showing great progress. Livvy Hicks weaved through her defenders and was a top goal scorer, alongside the skilful Bea Davies. Emily Anderton was the most improved player and Eleanor Linegar's effort was incredible. The U13Bs held an undefeated season, with Kripa Gurung and Jess Hogg being relentless.
Congratulations to the U14As who made it to Regional Finals, highlighting their talent.
Emily Franklin-Adams was a force to be reckoned with upfront and Maddie White was one of the most versatile players we have seen. Emily Holt for the Bs was an engine in the middle and Sam Brown in goal showed huge progress. The U15s showed fantastic spirit – working hard, and keeping calm under pressure. Anna Allen and Iona Stokes worked so hard on and off the ball whilst Charlotte Shakespeare was dynamite in attack for the B team, often winning her races.
For the Seniors this season Evie Bradley, Lari Mann and Alice Small all captained their respective teams with maturity and were brilliant role models. The 3rds and 4ths went from strength to strength, gracing the Upper with some excellent hockey and team spirit that made every session enjoyable. The 3rds coaches’ players were Amelie Girdher and Romy Sloane. In the 4ths, Zara Kellagher was effective upfront, with Charlotte Nicholson receiving the coaches’ player. Phoebe Gilpin was involved in many exchanges for the 2nd XI, being pivotal in the middle with slick stamina and skill. In addition, Alice Small was the lifeline at the back with her calm and collected approach often breaking through the opposition’s press.
One thing that makes Kingswood Hockey standout above the rest is the dedication to the sport. Not just from the players, but everyone involved. We would like to give a huge thanks to all the staff who repeatedly give up their time to coach and umpire matches. A special mention must go to Miss Newman for her commitment to our squad.
1ST TEAM
The 1st XI had a competitive season consisting of 17 matches played, winning 11 and scoring 49 goals. Players pushed each other to the limit during each game and worked the opposition to the best of their ability. With opposing coaches commenting on our work rate more often than not, our strong structure in defence prevented numerous goals from being scored. Rose Bates, Olivia Taylor and Emma Meier played essential roles, with Anisha Gofton saving some extraordinary strikes. The skilful play of sisters Phoebe and Imogen Hall kept the attackers on their toes in midfield as time and time again they broke through and provided the opportunities for a goal. The pace upfront often unsettled the opposition’s defence, as the forwards managed to run circles around them and star strikers Emily Hersch and Ciara Dyer scored a combined five hat-tricks. It has been a pleasure to Co-Captain such a talented group of hockey players, and it will be sad to leave such a strong side behind. However, we are certain this team will continue to grow into an incredible squad as some younger talents make their way up.
MR OPIE
This was Mr Opie's final term of Girls’ Hockey at Kingswood after 32 years and it's been an absolute honour to be coached by such an extraordinary player and man. In my 12 years of Kingswood Hockey, nobody quite compares to Mr Opie. He will be remembered by everyone he has coached for many reasons. Be it his expertise on the pitch or his general fascination with the world, he is an amazing man with a brilliant heart. If what he says is true, 'that good people do, in fact, make good hockey players', then it is no mystery as to where Mr Opie's talent stems from. It's safe to say that Mr Opie's favourite catch phrase rings true to him. He is an incredible person who has done so much for the School.
We will never forget this season and all the fun along the way.
1ST XI Co-Captains: Ciara Dyer and Phoebe Hall
COLOURS & AWARDS
COLTS COLOURS: Lauren Bailey, Phoebe Gilpin, Imogen Hall, Emily Hersch, Emma Meier HALF COLOURS: Emily Ardus, Grace Ardus, Maya Lane, Tobina Lawrence, Nancy Read, Alice Small FULL COLOURS: Rose Bates, Ciara Dyer, Anisha Gofton, Phoebe Hall, Olivia Taylor
GROVE TROPHY: Ciara Dyer (made the greatest contribution to hockey)
1st XI 2nd XI 3rd XI 4th XI U15A U15B U14A U14B U14C U13A U13B U13C U13D U12A U12B U12C U12D
Bristol Grammar W L L L L L L W L L L L L W
Monkton Combe (Cup) W King's Bruton L L D W L W W W D L W
Cheltenham College W D L L Redmaids' High School W W L D W L L L D
Clifton College
W L W W W L D L L L W L L King Edward's W D L D L D W W L W W W W L L L Prior Park College (Cup) W Sherborne L L W W W L W D L Queen's College Taunton (Cup) W Royal Grammar School Worcester (Cup) L Dean Close L L W W L W W L King's College Taunton L W L L L W Monkton Combe W W W L W L W Prior Park College W W W W W W L W Royal High School W W W W W W W W Colston's W W W W W W Dauntsey's L W L L L W W L D W L L D Win Ratio 65% 42% 43% 63% 36% 33% 60% 67% 33% 22% 83% 80% 50% 40% 33% 43% 50%
