The 2023听Girls' 性用社r 11A hockey听season got off to a flying start on 8听September with a masterclass at the听听in London, led by听听School鈥檚 Director of听Hockey听and former USA International, Mr Rob Schilling.听The girls practised techniques and drills and soaked up the atmosphere of the prestigious surroundings of the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in the Olympic Park, which was host to the 2018 Women鈥檚 Hockey World Cup. Mr Schilling, ably assisted by six of听Haileybury鈥檚听1st听XI players, helped the girls work on slap hits, v-drags and passes, as well as focusing on specific goal-keeping drills. The U11 team took part in a mini tournament with matches 14 minutes each way. All the normal hockey rules applied except a thrilling one-to-one with the goalie for 8 seconds replaced penalty corners.听The 性用社r 11 team stayed on after the masterclass to watch听Haileybury鈥檚听1st听XI girls鈥 team take on their St Edwards, Oxford counterparts in an exciting game.
鈥淭his was such a great opportunity for the girls to get back into a hockey mindset and learn from girls at听another school who have played a good level of hockey. We had girls trying new positions such as goalie and others who were so willing to move around the pitch during the matches.鈥
听"This was inspirational viewing for the girls and they commented on how fast-paced the play was. It was听encouraging to hear them say how they would love to play like the girls they were watching. The U11 A team听played really well as a team and passed the ball around with increasing accuracy. They took on board the coaching points and put them into听practice.听It was an absolute pleasure to take this group of girls to The Olympic Park and we are all very much looking forward to seeing what the girls can do this season."听 (PE & Games Teacher, Miss Sarah听Feely)