Bromsgrove School was proud to host the National Indoor Girls’ Hockey Championships for the first time this past 
weekend.
Teams from schools around the country joined Bromsgrove in the brand new Sports Arena.
Bromsgrove’s U18 girls’ team were representing the School in the finals, starting with their first game against Dean Close School.
Despite losing 2-0, the girls made up for that with a thrilling win against Rossall in the last match of the day.
In a pulsating encounter in front of a large, partisan crowd, Marie-Christian Heller scored with 28 seconds to go to secure a 1-0 victory.
In another exciting game on Sunday morning, the girls played extremely well against a strong St George's School but lost with the last play of the game 3-2.
In their final group match against talented reigning champions Ipswich School they again played with great skill and commitment but lost 6-1.
The girls represented the School courageously with big-hearted determination and spirit throughout the weekend.
Neighbouring school St Johns CE Middle School kindly allowed their car park to be used for the event to help Bromsgrove School accommodate the large number of spectators.
Deputy Headmaster Philip Bowen says: “Both U18 and U16 events ran very smoothly, as did normal School and weekend fixtures. Our pupils were superb and our support staff were complimented both by England Hockey and the many hundreds of visitors. The President of England Hockey, Simon Mason, expressed his gratitude and delight at the quality of the facilities and the warm hospitality of all at Bromsgrove School.”
The Bromsgrove U18 boys’ hockey team also had a strong run in their own National Finals competition at Whitgift School near Croydon. In the group matches they beat the hosts and reigning Champions 3-2, despite being 2-1 down with 2 minutes to go, and then drew an exciting game with Dean Close 2-2. On the Sunday morning the Bromsgrove team beat Egglescliff 6-0 and then an athletic Thomas Deacon Academy 4-3.
In the semi-final the boys unfortunately lost against Ipswich School 3-2, with the opponents scoring from a penalty corner to break Bromsgrove hearts with 30 seconds to go. It was a tremendous effort and the School is very proud of their achievement.
Philip Bowen commented: “For both teams, it was a long journey and one distinguished by great character and personal growth. The girls reached the top ten in the land and the boys the best four and all will look back on it as an exciting and rewarding campaign. Thank you also to the parents – home and away – who supported our teams so well.”