​Taunton School students selected for U16 England hockey teams

Two students from Taunton School have been selected to join the boys and girls U16 England Hockey squads this season.

These selections come for Theo and Freya as a result of a lot of hard work, and resilience, both at school where they are key members of their respective hockey teams, and with their external hockey clubs.

Freya, a Year 11 student at Taunton School, is an integral member of the Girls 1st hockey team (which is part of the Tier 1 England Hockey league), the school’s U16 indoor hockey team (which has recently earned 2nd place at the Regional Indoor finals), and Exeter University Hockey Club.

Theo joined Taunton School last year to help develop his sporting skills and has thrived with the support and training he has received in a number of sports, including hockey, rugby and cricket. Theo has been part of Exeter’s Talent Academy and Ashmoor Hockey Club Mens 1st team this season, as well as the school’s U18 Boys 1st hockey team which is part of the Tier 1 England Hockey League. Theo also plays indoor hockey with Taunton School’s U16 Boys team which recently earned a place at the U16 National Indoor Finals.

Both students have received technical hockey support from the school’s specialist teaching staff outside of the main games programme, and have access to the school’s sports scholars programme. This programme includes education on nutrition, sleep, mindset, recovery and movement for high performance athletes to help enhance their physical and psychological wellbeing to enable them to perform. The school fully supports and helps manage the students’ external hockey environments through mentoring and the excellent pastoral set up within the main tutoring timetable.

Laura Bennett, Director of Hockey, said: “I am so pleased for Theo and Freya, seeing them achieve this is incredible and now their hard work needs to continue. It has also been fantastic to see the Taunton School hockey provision go from strength to strength this term, I’m so proud of every student and I can’t wait to see what we achieve after Christmas.”

Continuing on Taunton School’s national hockey success, one of the school’s teachers has recently played for England in the World Masters Hockey World Cup 2024 in South Africa.

Catharine Adcock, Head of PSHEE, Enrichment & Student Voice for Taunton Prep School, travelled to Cape Town to take part in the tournament between 12th-21st October 2024 where she played as a forward. England did extraordinary well in the tournament, reaching the semi-finals where they were unfortunately beaten 1-0 by Australia, who went on to win in the final.

Catharine said of her experience: “After being selected for the team earlier this year the whole experience has been a whirlwind. Representing England was a true honour and something I never thought I would get the opportunity to do.

“Taking part in the ten-day tournament was hard work but truly a once in a lifetime experience. I was able to meet people from all over the world, including reconnecting with people I played with 20 years ago. I’m so grateful to the school for allowing me to take time out of our busy schedule to go and do this and I hope by doing this I have inspired some of our students to follow their dreams just like I have done.”

The World Masters Hockey World Cup 2024 saw 2,200 players from more than 27 countries participate to see who can become the World Masters World Cup Champions.

Catharine has been playing hockey at county and regional level for more than 30 years.

Taunton School offers an extensive sports programme with considerable success in county, regional and national competitions each year in more than 20 different sports. The school’s dedicated performance pathways are carefully designed to enhance and develop all levels of ability, experience and ambition with every student at the school having access to these programmes. Please visit https://www.tauntonschool.co.uk/explore/co-curricu... to find out more.