Bromsgrove School Pupils Train with Great Britain Olympic Hockey Stars
23 Feb 2012
Great Britain hockey stars Richard Smith and Alastair Wilson visited Bromsgrove School on Monday to host a coaching session and meet with pupils from the Preparatory and Senior Schools.
The visit was part of a nationwide programme, the Hockey Nation, which will see British Olympic hockey players visit events involving more than 450 secondary schools over the next two months. The ‘Come and Meet’ sessions will give thousands of youngsters the chance to try In2Hockey, a version of hockey for 10 to 14 year olds, ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games this summer.
Richard and Alastair, both members of the Great Britain hockey team preparing for the Olympic Games, led the In2Hockey coaching session on the School’s Astroturf before answering questions and signing posters and hockey balls for the pupils in the Sports Hall. The expert training from the two professional players included coaching dribbling and passing skills. Both Richard and Alastair started playing hockey at school so they enjoy the opportunity to be able to return to the playground and speak to pupils about their sporting ambitions. Through their role in this year’s Olympics they hope to inspire the next generation and recruit some new fans of hockey in the process.
Senior School Master of Hockey Andrew Langlands said: “Hockey is a well-established sport at Bromsgrove School as can be seen by our performances at National Finals. In2Hockey was a great opportunity for many of our younger pupils to experience the sport.”
About In2Hockey
In2Hockey is a fun, exciting and dynamic game designed for 10 to 14 year olds to help them develop their hockey skills and techniques, and to provide a gradual progression into the 11-a-side version of the game. It provides progressive and adaptable versions of the game which can suit differing levels of ability and experience. By reducing stoppages, maximising playing time and involvement, and minimising risks In2Hockey creates an environment in which young players can develop and experience an enjoyable, safe, fast and flowing game of hockey. It helps young players develop essential, transferable physical skills as well as teamwork skills, leadership skills, independent learning skills, social interaction skills, sportsmanship and fair play In2Hockey enables deliverers of differing experience levels to access relevant support materials to assist them with the delivery of quality hockey sessions in a school and club environment (including PE lessons, after-school clubs and club training sessions). It removes some of the barriers that have traditionally prevented secondary schools from delivering hockey.
Sally Munday, Chief Operating Officer of Great Britain Hockey, which is behind the Hockey Nation programme, said, “The vast majority of people who play hockey took it up at school and we recognise the vital role school sport plays in children’s development. We understand that schools often do not have hockey specialists on staff, or the traditional facilities to deliver hockey, which is why we developed In2Hockey. The equipment and resources make it very simple for teachers to deliver and ensure that pupils have the best possible experience of playing hockey.”
For further information about Great Britain Hockey and the Hockey Nation programme, please contact:Lawrence West, Communications Manager, England Hockey Board & Great Britain Hockey, 01628 897500, lawrence.west@englandhockey.co.uk
For further information about In2Hockey, please contact:Jo Duff, National Manager for Young People and Schools, England Hockey Board, 01628 897500, jo.duff@englandhockey.co.uk For more information about the Hockey Nation programme, visit www.englandhockey.co.uk/hockeynation.
For more information about In2Hockey visit www.englandhockey.co.uk/in2hockey.