Queen’s College is rapidly gaining an outstanding reputation for hockey and its hockey players are being recognised for their talent and hard work at national and regional level.
Year 10 pupil Dan Wilde has recently been selected for the Welsh U18 squad of 36 players who will make up the U18 or U16 teams for international tournaments later this year in Switzerland. Dan is eligible for both teams and is due to attend a training camp from 24th to 26th February in Wrexham when final team selections will be made.
Patrick Free, also in Year 10, has been selected for the England U16 squad following a very successful Futures Cup tournament at Cannock Hockey Club. After missing the first national assessment camp in November due to a serious injury, he has been included in the 27-man squad for a camp this month at Lilleshall National Sports Centre. Over the coming months he will be involved in various training days leading towards selection for Four Nations tournaments in Germany, England and Spain.
Year 12 student Laura Fry has been selected onto the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) programme as part of the new National Age Group Academy, where she will attend five centralised national camps in school holiday periods. Laura also trained at the U17 girls’ HiPAC Camp at Lilleshall National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey in October. Ben Stevenson and Elliot Fathers were selected for the U15 boys’ HiPAC squad where players participated in a three day camp at the University of Leeds at the end of October.
Queen’s hockey players were also selected to represent the West region and competed in the Wessex Leopards team at the Futures Cup in October. Livvy Hoskins and Rebecca Handford played for the U16 girls, Patrick Free for the U16 boys and Imogen Allen was chosen as non-travelling reserve for the U18 girls’ team.
Said South African Olympian and Queen’s hockey coach Ian Haley: “All of our players are home-grown, five of which have come through the Hockey Academy which is extremely satisfying. It is important that we expose as many of our best players to top level hockey as much as possible. Both Patrick and Ben have been training with national league team Isca HC. Laura and Imogen have been playing for Taunton Vale Ladies first team, and Livvy has been training with Isca University Ladies first team who play in the national league.”
Said Queen’s College Headmaster Chris Alcock: “We are very proud of the achievements of these skilled individuals, who have had their dedication to hockey rewarded with national and regional selections.”
In 2013, three Queen’s teams reached the National Schools’ finals where the U16 girls’ team took silver and the U14 boys’ side took bronze. In 2012, two teams reached the national finals and the U13 boys won gold.
The Queen’s College Hockey Academy, which was launched in 2012 alongside a new Astro-turf pitch, has played a vital role in the development of the young sportsmen and women. Coached by Ian Haley, the master classes are for selected Queen’s College pupils in Years 5 to 10, and also other talented primary school players from around the region.
Queen’s College is on the lookout for outstanding sportspeople and offers sports scholarships for 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry. If you feel your son or daughter could have what it takes, please contact admissions@queenscollege.org.uk or telephone 01823 340830 for more information.