Hockey is thriving at King Edward’s School and in recent years teams have progressed to the England Hockey National Finals, with the U16 team taking the runners-up spot in 2016. Players regularly take part in England Hockey’s single system and a number of players play National League hockey at weekends.
As one of the School’s major games, hockey is played in all year groups. At U12 level, hockey is offered as a club in the evenings with matches operating throughout the autumn and spring term, and from U13 level upwards hockey is a games option.
Boys who wish to play both hockey and rugby up to Senior level are catered for by a priority system, whereby they play rugby from September to December and hockey from January to March. There is a Senior tour every two years, with recent destinations including South Africa and India, and a junior tour within the UK or Europe.
Coaching in the sport is at the highest level and Director of Hockey is former England ‘A’ and more recently England Masters O35s, Mr Andrew Langlands. Other international players and coaches are employed throughout the year in order to offer specialised coaching. A number of the teaching staff also make a significant contribution to the coaching of hockey and we have current and ex National League hockey players within the School, including former GB International and double Olympian Mr James Fair.
The facilities for the game are exceptional. A high specification astro hockey pitch and pavilion provides a professional standard facility. We also have shared use of two full-sized, sand-filled hockey pitches on site and a further half-sized astroturf pitch for additional training. There is also a full-sized indoor hockey pitch within the Andrew Brode Sports Centre.
If you are interested in finding out more information about hockey at King Edward’s School, please contact Mr Andrew Langlands: adl@kes.org.uk.
