Last week marked a significant milestone for our Year 7 students as they took to the hockey pitch for their first-ever tournament, hosted by Lichfield Hockey Club. Facing off against King Edwards and Queen Mary Grammar School, the Year 7 team was buzzing with excitement, having trained for several weeks in preparation.
With the guidance of some experienced Year 8 players, the younger team members quickly found their footing. The Year 8s helped with positioning and understanding the rules, providing invaluable support to the newcomers.
The tournament had its standout moments, especially for Year 7’s George Hughes, who proudly scored his first competitive goal for the school. It was a moment to remember as the young forward celebrated his achievement with his teammates. Meanwhile, Year 8 players Jack Stainforth and Lennox Osbourne also found the back of the net, showing their experience and leadership on the pitch.
Kim Fallows, Head Coach, was full of praise for the entire squad, saying: “What a turnout and what a fantastic effort by all. The dedication to come to training and get involved in their first hockey tournament with only three weeks of practice shows passion for the sport, and we can’t wait to see them in action again.”
Special recognition went to defender Joanna Jones-Gallardo, who made several crucial tackles and stood out with her exceptional defensive work. Osama Alashi also shone with two blistering goals from the top of the D, no doubt inspired by his brand-new stick, which proved to be a game-changer.
However, despite the team’s strong effort and determination, Friary finished third overall in the tournament. Even so, the future looks incredibly bright for this group of players and there is plenty of promise for the matches ahead. Equally, the enthusiasm of the parents who came out to support in the wet weather shows why our students are so prone to shine.
