Our U16 hockey boys are celebrating, having emerged overall winners at the England Hockey U16 County National Championship on Thursday 28th January. The boys now go on to represent Gloucestershire at the West of England Championships on the 28th February where they hope to follow in the U18 girls’ footsteps and qualify for the National Finals. The U18 girls will be competing in the Finals on 1st March at Cannock.

From the moment they stepped out in their first match, the College boys showed great determination to win. The first ten minutes saw 3 goals scored in rapid succession against Balcarras School and there was then no stopping the motivated side! With a solid defence and some particularly strong attacking down the right, the Cheltenham players dominated each game they played. A final score of 3-0 against hosts Dean Close ensured overall victory and the County Championship title.

Gwyn Williams, Head of Hockey at Cheltenham College commented:

“This is a great achievement for the boys and the second year running that both our U16 girls’ team and U16 boys’ teams have won the County Championships. The boys demonstrated real motivation, commitment and level of intensity throughout their matches and fully deserved the win. We are now looking forward to them showing the same high level of play at the West of England Championships and we wish both them, and our U18 finalist girls, the very best of luck.”

Pupils in the photo from left to right:

Back row: Hockey Coach Mike Todd, Guy Brothwood, Henry Hazell, Will Seville, Jasper Hofmann, Jack Arundell, Jack Smart, Ollie Braithwiate-Exley, Hockey Professional Richard Lane
Middle row: JJ Ball, James Down, Seb Cheli, Jack Dymocke, James Baker, Felix Claridge
Goalie: Jack Needham.