Hockey

Collaborative, competitive and inclusive

No matter if students have played every day in the past or not at all, the opportunity to play Hockey and represent the School is there for everyone.  We are able to introduce beginners to the sport as well as develop and challenge those at the top ability level. Every step of the way our experienced, passionate and motivated staff are able to support students with their game and skill development, in line with their ambitions and aspirations.

Our Head of Hockey and double Olympian, Mariette Rix and her team, deliver a variety of approaches and coaching styles, striving to instil a life-long love for the game and a passion for playing.

Through Hockey we aim to develop much more than ability, game play and fitness. A number of other skills are encouraged and established, including: leadership, collaboration, creativity, communication, relationships, resilience, decision-making, confidence and problem solving.  With a process rather than outcome-focussed approach, learning opportunities are embraced - win or lose, succeed or fail.

Playing Hockey at Woodbridge

One of the biggest team sports at Woodbridge School, Hockey is played in Prep School from Year 3, right through to Senior School and into the Sixth Form.

Hockey is played by girls during Michaelmas term, and boys during Lent term, from Years 3 to 10.  From Year 11 through to 13 Hockey is the main team sport option for both girls and boys in the respective terms.  Games lessons and co-curricular practices focus on developing technical skills, tactical knowledge and the application of both.

The player pathway

We actively encourage motivated and talented players to become involved with hockey in their local community.  By joining clubs or participating in County trials, students can follow the framework of progression through the Player Pathway, which supports all junior players to realise their potential.  Students achieve yearly success at County level and above, but whatever the level of play, we support and encourage students to enjoy the journey and make happy sporting memories.

Fixtures

Lower School fixtures are mostly played on Wednesdays during mid-week games lesson, offering every student the opportunity to play in competitive fixtures.  From Year 9 and above, fixtures are also played mid-week as well as weekends on Saturdays.  Opportunities also exist for advanced players to ‘play up’ when appropriate and possible.

Notable achievements

Since its inception, the England Hockey Performance Centre has featured high calibre players from Woodbridge School, with some going on to achieve higher National success.  Similarly, our players have also enjoyed much success at club level, playing in National and top Regional Leagues for both Suffolk and Norfolk.