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Hockey Happy WCS Wells Cathedral School Independent Prep Somerset England

Hockey Happy

On Tuesday 25th April, pupils from St Joseph and St Teresa Catholic Primary School and Stoberry Park School took part in Hockey Happy, an event organised by Dimity Williams (Lower Sixth). Dimity, alongside Buck Williams (Year 11), Ella Sturdy, Tobin Collier, Alfie Stevens, Archie Mycock, Alice Clements, Florence Gummer, Mia Falco and Xanthe Knott (Lower Sixth), ran a series of activities for the children to improve their Hockey skills on the School’s Astro.

Dimity described the inspiration behind the day; “Hockey Happy came about as an idea because there was no astro at my primary school. My first games session at Wells in Year 5 set me off on my Hockey journey; I fell in love with it, and now play for the School 1st XI, Bath Ladies 1st XI and have taken part in many England Hockey events.”

Setting up Hockey Happy was a way to help other people find out if they loved Hockey too. The name ‘Hockey Happy’ comes from the benefits you get from playing, and to introduce the sport to children who would otherwise not have had the chance to play with free sessions at the Wells Astro.”

She continued, “I thought that, if I was lucky, we would find ten or twenty local children to come and try it out. I was wrong about that! We had 71 children aged 8-9 come from St Joseph and St Teresa Catholic Primary School and Stoberry Park School. I had to split them into morning and afternoon sessions so that we had enough coaches!

Most of all I wanted them to have fun so we had some music playing and added lots of dancing warm ups and cool downs before the children learned about ball skills and the game of Hockey. I came up with five drills, such as hungry hippos and skittles, which developed crucial Hockey skills in a way that the children would enjoy so that they would keep going and give every activity a go. At the end of the sessions we gave everyone a free Hockey ball to take home.”

The day was a great success, and many of the children approached me to say how much they loved it and hoped I would organise another event in the future. My team of coaches and I loved the experience – we would be delighted to put on another session in the future for other primary schools!

Dimity gave her thanks to the Sports Department for ensuring the pitches, equipment and safeguarding staff were available, and to the Estates team who helped to get the Astro ready before the sessions began.

Furthermore, she expressed her gratitude to her friends and brother for their support in offering to help with the coaching of each session, stating that their enthusiasm was key to such a successful day.

Mr Mayes, Head of Hockey, said; “When Dimity approached the Sports Department with the Hockey Happy idea, we were delighted to do everything we could to support her and bring the event to fruition.”

“I was so impressed with the way the pupils ran the sessions on the day; each and every one of them really stepped into the role of a Hockey coach, and represented the School to the highest standard.”

“It was clear to see how much fun the children were having, and everyone should be very proud of the way they inspired the children to give their activities a go
.”