So, at last the TIFS hockey players were able to get back onto the pitch after a long enforced lay off. This term we have already had two trips to the mainland for our girl’s hockey teams of different ages.
The U16 girls team played in Round 1 of the National School’s Hockey Championships. Their opposition was King Edward’s School, Southampton who are known for being steeped in Hampshire hockey tradition. King Edward’s School are very experienced and were incredibly well drilled, quick and precise with their passing. The TIFS girls, looking resplendent in their new kits, played superbly well – holding their heads high and did not give up. Although they lost on this occasion, the team have used the game as a benchmark to refer back to in future training and have learnt from the experience to come back even stronger. The U16 Girls are set to play Portsmouth Grammar School in November, in round 2 of the plate competition. We are extremely proud of their efforts and look forward to the next round of the championship.
Over the weekend, the U13 girl’s hockey team travelled to play in a Hockey Festival at Lord Wandsworth College. This is an annual venture for the school, who have been invited to this prestigious event for several years now. 15 hockey teams got together to participate in playing hockey. With a very early start and two full teams, the girls left the sunshine of the South Coast to the murky fog of mid-Hampshire – on arrival it was difficult to see one end of the pitch from the other! However, this did not dampen their spirits and both teams played 6 games of hockey against various opposition from Hampshire. By the time the sun did come out, all girls were suitably tired from their matches and ready to return to the Island for some well-earned rest. It was a fantastic experience and all the players learnt a great deal from the day. Many thanks to Miss Sheen and Miss Hart for travelling with the teams.
