Boys’ hockey has gone from strength to strength in a short time at Wilmslow High School.
Traditionally, competitive team fixtures for boys during the autumn and spring terms have been dominated by rugby and football.
However, in January, responding to the enthusiasm of a small group of students, staff members Jon Maw and Kayleigh Humphreys set up an extra-curricular boys hockey club.
Starting with a core group of 16 students, the numbers gradually grew and the response prompted a friendly against Cheadle Hulme School.
Since September, boys’ hockey has been added to the extensive Sports Xtra programme in the school and has proved popular, attracting close to 50 students every Friday afternoon, with science teacher Amy Hatch assisting with coaching duties.
A fixture list has been put in place, which will see Wilmslow take on high-profile opponents such as Bolton School, Altrincham Grammar School, Kings Macclesfield, Kings Chester, The Grange and Cheadle Hulme School.
The Year Seven team have made an extremely promising start, recording impressive victories over Manchester Grammar School?(12-0) and Altrincham Grammar School (9-0). Given their promising start to the season, they’ll be entering the U13 National competitions a year early.
The Under 14s also came out on top in their opening match, beating Manchester Grammar School 3-2.
Another pleasing aspect has been the involvement of a number of Wilmslow pupils in the hockey programme, assisting with coaching, organisation and officiating.
Year 10 students, Rhiannon Turner and Vicky Cragg have recently completed their Level 1 Umpire qualification and have umpired the boys’ home games, while Year 11 students Rachel Stoner and Saskia Swatland have been ever present at training sessions, helping out with the coaching.
