Banbury Area Year 5/6 Hockey

Seven schools and sixty-three Year 5/6 children from across Banbury took part in the annual Quicksticks Hockey festival on Monday 4th March at Blessed George Napier Catholic School. The schools involved included Bishop Loveday, Cropredy, Dashwood, Harriers, Hanwell Fields, Hill View and Queensway.

Following warm up activities organised by Blessed George Napier student leaders, teams competed against each other in round robin matches. With games lasting ten minutes and all teams playing six matches during the competition, it gave all players ample opportunity to get to grips with the quicksticks rules and develop their skills. Teamwork and determination was evident throughout the morning with lots of exciting matches and goals scored.

Both Hill View and Queensway recorded five wins a piece going into the final game against each other. In the first few minutes both sides enjoyed equal periods of possession and chances until Hill View scored the opening goal. Thereafter, Hill View added another two goals to win with a comfortable three goal victory and crowned Banbury Area Quicksticks winners 2019. Congratulations to both Hill View and Queensway who have qualified for the North Oxfordshire School Sport Partnership In2Hockey Final on Wednesday 20th March at the Cooper School.

There was a three way tie for third spot with Hanwell Fields, Cropredy and Dashwood all recording two wins, a draw and three defeats. Hanwell Fields had a superior goal difference to take third spot. Cropredy pipped Dashwood to fourth position on goals scored. Harriers finished sixth place, recording one win and draw in the process and Bishop Loveday came seventh place with one win.

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 player each team was presented with a special certificate to recognise their ‘Self Belief’ they had displayed throughout the festival. In addition Joyce Washburn (Banbury Hockey Club) signposted players of further opportunities within their local community club.

Thank you to all participants, teachers and teaching assistants, BGN student leaders, who contributed to a fun event which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Comments from the event

“Umpiring very good. Organisation ran smoothly. A big thank you.” (Teacher at Hill View)

“Good umpiring today.” (PE Coordinator at Hanwell Fields)

“Timings worked well today. Loads of play for everyone” (PE Coordinator at Bishop Loveday)

“The Teams were friendly.”

“We really enjoyed the morning.” (Children at Bishop Loveday)

“Format was really good.” (Teacher at Dashwood)

“Really fun, the best part was scoring goals.” (Child at Dashwood)

“Student leaders umpired well.” (Teacher at Cropredy)

“We had lots of fun.”

“Really enjoyed playing with proper (wooden) hocking sticks.”

(Children at Cropredy)