Girls’ 1st XI Hockey Team Wins “Best in Everyone” Award

The Girls’ 1st XI hockey team has been honoured with the prestigious “Best in Everyone” award from United Learning, recognizing their exceptional commitment, leadership, and fair play both on and off the field. The team’s remarkable 2024/2025 season culminated in their victory as National Tier 2 Plate Champions, proof of their mental resilience and physical skills.

Under the guidance of the School’s Hockey Coaches the team lost only one match from September 2024 to March 2025, competing against some of the country’s top hockey sides in the England Hockey National Tier 2 competition. A standout moment came in the semi-final of the National Plate competition, where, despite injuries, the girls triumphed over the reigning champions, Redmaids’ High School, in Bristol. Their victory was marked not only by skill but by grace, as a Redmaid’s parent emailed the Director of Sport at Ashford to praise the team’s “respect for the opposition and humility in their win”.

The team’s journey peaked in March at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre in London, where they clinched the National Tier 2 Plate title with a 3 – 0 win over Uppingham, one of the best Hockey schools in the country. Mr Buck, Director of Sport, reflected, “This was a fantastic victory and one which saw great resilience, confidence, and hockey prowess from our 1st XI team. They are not only exceptional hockey players but wonderful role models for the whole school.”

Beyond hockey, many team members hold School leadership roles and some excel in other sports, with several team members also earning National Champion titles in indoor cricket, making them ‘double national champions’. Their achievements highlight their dedication and versatility, embodying the spirit of the “Best in Everyone” award.

Ashford School celebrates these outstanding young women, whose talent, character and ambition continue to inspire us all.