As the Director of Hockey here at Bede’s, I am often asked how we manage to maintain such a high standard of performance while navigating the increasingly busy landscape of the modern sporting calendar. The answer lies in our philosophy of unison.

We view school and club hockey not as competing interests, but as a singular pathway for player development. This year, the success of our pupils has been nothing short of exceptional. From representing various talent academies to securing club promotions and national titles, our players are making their mark on the pitch. 

A Strategic Approach to the Weekend

To truly support these ambitions, we made a deliberate and strategic decision regarding our hockey programming: Bede’s does not run Saturday hockey fixtures.

While this might seem unconventional for a major sporting school, the rationale is simple and pupil-centered:

• Total Commitment: By keeping our Saturdays clear, we allow our players to fully commit to their respective clubs without the burden of "split loyalties" or physical burnout.
• Elite Exposure: Playing club hockey on weekends exposes our pupils to adult leagues and diverse coaching styles, which significantly accelerates their physical and holistic development.
• Player Welfare: Reducing the volume of competitive matches in a 24-hour window helps us manage loading and keep our athletes injury-free.

This synergy between the Bede’s midweek programme (focused on high-intensity technical skills and athletic development) and the weekend club environment creates a well-rounded athlete. We are immensely proud of our players' achievements this season and remain committed to a model that puts their long-term development at the heart of everything we do.

Congratulations to the following pupils on their success this season:

Gigi & Lilian - U18 Indoor National winners & promotion with EG 2's

Zeb - Promotion with East Grinstead Mens 2nd XI

Alfie - Promotion with East Grinstead Mens 3rd XI

Laura - U16 Tier 1 Plate Winners

Sena - U16 Tier 2 Cup Runners Up

Charley - U16 Indoor National Cup Winner & Tier 1 National Cup Outdoor Runners Up

Jesse - Eastbourne U18 Tier 2 Plate Winners & Men's Tier 2 Plate Finalist

Ella D - Promotion with Marden Russet Womens 2nd XI