On the 5th of November, schools whose staff had previously attended a Continued Professional Development (CPD) day, designed to develop teachers’ skills and knowledge, held at Rotherham Hockey Club (RHC) on the 15th of October, participated in a very exciting school sports festival held at RHC.

Young Leaders from Wath Academy, under the supervision of Ross Inglis, School Games Organiser and Rotherham Hockey Club’s Schools Coaching Officer; James Swinscoe, delivered six different coaching sessions to Y3 and Y4 pupils from twelve schools across the day.

The event having taken place at Rotherham Hockey Club saw over 150 children from 14 different schools in Rotherham and its surrounds attend across morning and afternoon sessions. All pupils participated in a variety of activities that provided fun, challenging and rewarding game like situations. For many pupils, this was their first taste of field hockey and judging from the many smiles and happy faces, a wonderful day was had by all. Each child left the event with a leaflet inviting them to continue their Hockey journey with Rotherham Hockey Club, by taking up the offer of three free hockey coaching sessions!

The England Hockey (EH) initiative has been well received by schools across the borough and Rotherham Hockey Club has provided all schools attending with the opportunity to further develop hockey coaching curriculum-based PE lessons or to be run as an after-school club.

RHC would like to take this opportunity to thank Ross Inglis (Schools Games Organiser) for his enthusiasm and unerring support in making this event such a resounding success.

Further activities to be held in conjunction with England Hockey’s Junior In2Hockey Schools Championships: the Schools Games Organisers and supported by RHC; featuring U11 girls and U11 boys, is planned for the 18th of November and the 25th of November respectively. Winners of these competitions will go forward to the South Yorkshire regional rounds to be held at Hill House, Doncaster, in early 2026.

Please keep an eye open for reports on these and other wonderful schools’ events.

Get your children active or even try it yourselves. Come and give it a go at this family friendly club!

Regards

James Swinscoe
RHC Schools Coaching Officer
James.swinscoe@rotherhamhc.org.uk