1 October 2020
Mr Ben Allberry, Head of Hockey
It’s been an interesting start to hockey life at Woldingham this term. With external fixtures impossible due to COVID restrictions, students have been able to take part in plenty of training sessions to hone their skills. PE staff are working tirelessly to ensure sessions are fun and engaging and the response from students is very positive, with the obvious exception of the seniors having to get up so early on a Saturday…
Having joined Woldingham in September, I have been impressed with our students’ desire to learn as much as they can - and their ability to survive four seasons of weather in one afternoon! We have seen new members joining the hockey squads and, as and when external fixtures are back in our hockey programme, I know that competition will be fierce and that team selections will be waited for with bated breath.
Well done to all our students playing hockey outside of school, whether at a club or in a county or performance squad. It will always stand Woldingham in good stead if students play as much as possible, especially at a high level. I recommend everyone to go and watch some national league hockey if they can (socially distanced of course). I know there are games at Sevenoaks, Oxted, London Wayfarers and East Grinstead. For more information, please see the hockey board in the sports hall or speak to me.
We have many exciting plans for hockey at Woldingham, including visits from international players, specialist coaches and other inspiring individuals that will aid students in their sporting journey.
On a personal note I would like to thank everyone, and our hockey players in particular, for such an enthusiastic and positive welcome to the school. Woldingham is a sleeping lion and we will be announcing ourselves on the hockey stage in the upcoming seasons. Having got to know the students, I have no doubt that this will be done with some Woldingham flair and a killer playlist.