RGS Worcester Hockey set up for an outstanding season

26 Sep 2016

Sally Walton, Olympic Bronze Medallist joins RGS Worcester as Hockey Coach

Miss Sally Walton, Olympic Hockey Bronze Medallist has joined RGS Worcester as a Hockey Coach. The 2012 Hockey Olympian began work as Hockey Specialist and Athlete Development Programme Facilitator at the start of this term. In addition to competing in the 2012 Olympics, Sally’s hockey successes include 165 caps for England and Great Britain.

Miss Leanne Bennett, Head of Hockey, said, “It is incredibly exciting for the girls to be coached by someone who for many of them has been a heroine and role model since London 2012. We are looking forward to learning from a world class athlete and moving RGS Hockey to the next level.”

Sally said, “The chance to work with an ambitious school which shares the same beliefs in developing individuals to achieve their full potential was a real driving force in joining RGS Worcester. I am very excited for the challenge ahead.”

Mr John Pitt, Headmaster said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Sally to the School; this is an exceptional opportunity for our students who will be coached and inspired by an Olympian who is a first rate coach. Sally spent the summer as a radio commentator for the Rio Olympics. She commentated on the remarkable success of the Great Britain Hockey Team who achieved the Gold Medal. Sally knows all of the players well and was delighted to share their success. She will be helping RGS Hockey players develop the teamwork and resilience that saw the GB Team perform to their very best.”

RGS National Hockey Champions win City Sports Award

The Under 11 Hockey team from RGS The Grange won the award for ‘Best Educational Sporting Achievement’ at the Worcester City Sports Awards at The University Arena, held last week. Now in the Senior School, these girls will be working with Sally Walton and this promises to be a formidable combination for RGS Worcester Girls’ Hockey.

During a remarkable season, the team won 28 out of 30 matches, including five school tournaments and the IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools) Hockey Competition, in doing so, they became National Champions. The team was awarded the prize by Olympic legend, Steve Cram CBE who recently returned from the Rio Olympics.

Mr Gareth Hughes, Headmaster at RGS The Grange said:
“It is a pleasure to see such a successful young team rewarded in this way for the tremendous effort and commitment that they have put in over the season. It was a wonderful event for both children and staff to attend and one that we will remember with pride. We look forward to seeing the girls develop their Hockey at RGS Worcester in the future.”