The 2019 Girls’ U11 A hockey season got off to a flying start on 6 September with a masterclass at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, led by Haileybury school’s Director of Hockey and former USA international, Mr Rob Schilling. The girls took part in a hockey festival with four other schools which involved training and matches, before watching Haileybury's 1st XI hockey scholars' 'curtain raiser' match against Epsom.
Mr Schilling, ably assisted by six of Haileybury’s 1st XI players, put girls from Kingshott, Chesham Prep, Heath Mount, Beechwood and our U11 A team through their paces during the session. They 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’s Hockey World Cup. They also worked 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. St John’s girls’ hockey coach, Mrs Kathryn Gill, explained, “It got the girls back into their hockey after the summer break and they were extremely focused on the tips given by the 1st XI. By playing the mini tournament they have now got some match play under their belts ahead of the upcoming season.”
The U11 team stayed on after the masterclass to watch Haileybury’s 1st XI girls’ team take on their Epsom College counterparts in an exciting game. Mrs Gill commented on the masterclass, “The U11 As played really well as a team and had a very good vision of looking up before passing the ball.” One of the U11 A team said, “It was an amazing experience to play hockey at the Olympic Park! The games were fast-paced and we had to react quickly and work effectively as a team. It was a really positive day with techniques we can use in the season ahead.”