Banbury Area Quicksticks Hockey festivals

Six schools and fifty-nine Year 5/6 children from across Banbury braved the artic conditions to take part in the annual Quicksticks Hockey festival on Thursday 1st March at Blessed George Napier Catholic School.  With freezing conditions all week, the event was moved indoors to the Sportshall.  To accommodate the change, schools took part in their respective family cluster competitions.

Bishop Loveday, Hardwick, Orchard Fields and St. John’s participated in the BGN family competition.    Following warm activities organised by Blessed George Napier student leaders, teams competed against each other in round robin matches.  As the competition progressed players were getting to grips with the Quicksticks rules and showed plenty of teamwork and effort throughout.  Bishop Loveday came out on top, winning two matches and drawing their other game.  Hardwick remained undefeated to take runners-up spot, with St. John’s closely behind in third place and Orchard Fields fourth.

In the Banbury Academy competition Hill View and St. Mary’s battled against one another in three periods of eight minutes. In a closely contested and entertaining game, Hill View finished 3-1 winners. 

Congratulations to both Bishop Loveday and Hill View who have qualified for the North Oxfordshire School Sport Partnership In2Hockey Final on Wednesday 21st  March at the Cooper School.

During the event, the Spirit of the Games value of ‘Self Belief’ was a focus area with many participants showing bravery and confidence in playing competitive hockey for their first time.    A boy and a girl from each team was presented with a special certificate to recognise their ‘Self Belief’ they had displayed throughout the festival.

Kieran Symons, men’s overseas player and community outreach coach at Banbury Hockey Club attended both festivals along with Laura Davis (Junior section) at the club to offer support to the leaders, encourage the young players and signpost them to further opportunities within their local community club.

Thank you to all participants, teachers and teaching assistants, BGN young student leaders, coaches and volunteers from Banbury Hockey Club who contributed to a fun event which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

“We enjoyed everything, despite the weather, thank you Mr Mawn (PE Coordinator at Bishop Loveday)

“We were glad the event was still on despite the poor weather conditions.  Also having quick fire games and plenty of space allowed more opportunities for all.  In addition there was good role modelling on display with all players encouraged to shake hands after the game” (Teacher at Orchard Fields)

“It was an amazing experience, we like the tackling and we showed lots of teamwork and encouragement.  The young leaders also made the festival interesting” (Children at Orchard Fields)

“The drills lead by student leaders were well run which involved everyone.  Our children enjoyed the whole morning including both the warm activities and matches” (Teacher at Hill View)

“We all had a great time, thank you.  The Hockey skills organised by the student leaders went well and the rules were clearly demonstrated.” (PE Coordinator at St. Mary’s)

Mr Mawn (SSCo)