Hockey

Whether you are aspiring to be a junior international or keen to give hockey a go, Blundell’s has a number of teams and opportunities that enable every pupil to represent a school team whilst providing all pupils the opportunity to develop and be challenged by the game of hockey. The hockey at Blundell’s provides pupils with physical and mental challenges both in a training capacity and competition. Pupils experience success, failure and growth whilst under the supervision of a dynamic and supportive group of staff coaches. These experiences will only enhance what pupils achieve in the classroom.

Hockey at Blundell’s is incredibly popular. With access to two adjacent floodlight pitches, pupils can play hockey throughout the year and throughout their time at the school. Despite not being compulsory in the older age groups we field 4 senior teams. We strongly believe in a sport for all approach and carefully create opportunities for all to have the best facilities and best coaches. We put out at least 2 teams at every age group which is testament to excellent training sessions and the competitive spirit we have built within the club.

Exeter University Director of Hockey & Hockey Professional Harry Jones leads our coaching, and assists Vicki Gill (current England Masters player) with the 1st XI. Our coaching staff at age groups have a vast amount of experience in National, County, Club and School hockey. Specialist goalkeeping coach Hope Kent oversees the development of goalkeeping across the age groups. We have carefully balanced our professionals with school teachers to create a well rounded education of hockey of which we are very proud.

We have been extremely successful in recent years, especially at senior level. Our girls have seen regular success in the U18 National Cup, reaching the national final at the Olympic Park in London in the most recent competition. The boys have similarly seen regular success in regional and national competitions. Despite a very challenging fixture list our 1st XIs have enjoyed a superb record against other schools, and we have a strong core of homegrown players in each year group, which in turn attracts additional talented players at 13+ and 16+. Our Senior teams, 15’s, 14’s, 13’s and 12’s all have a very healthy winning records on a strong independent school circuit with regular Saturday block fixtures and National competitions at U18, U16, U14, and U13 age groups.

There have been a vast number of pupils who have played County and Regional hockey, and we also have a number of current pupils who play representative hockey for their country. We also have strong links with ISCA hockey club, and many of our talented senior players have enjoyed the opportunity to play National League Hockey through these links. Many of our former pupils have gone onto to play hockey at University, Club and, in the case of recent leaver Millie Atwell, International Level.