Hockey

Boys Hockey

At Norwich School, we are proud to offer a comprehensive hockey programme for boys that caters for pupils from the age of 8 through to the end of Sixth Form. The school offers a dedicated all-weather, floodlit astro hockey pitch, as well as a multi-surface training astro. In addition, we have an extensive sports hall for indoor hockey and 2 performance gymnasiums for training. We also have routine access to the dedicated hockey astro facilities at the award winning UEA Sportspark. Our programme is designed to develop skills, foster teamwork, and ignite a passion for the sport, ensuring that every boy has the opportunity to excel on the field. From the early stages, our pupils are introduced to the fundamentals of hockey, with a strong focus on technical skills, game understanding, and physical fitness.

Boys Hockey has a busy programme of fixtures against local and national schools including Norwich City Hockey Club, Oakham School, Ipswich School, Solihull School, Wisbech Grammar, Royal Hospital School, Felstead School, Gresham’s School, Denstone College, Culford School, Langley School, Rugby School, The Perse School, Woodbridge School and Framlingham College. Tours have included a pre-season tour to Nottingham, a 2023 tour to the Netherlands and a Boys Hockey trip to Hurstpierpoint School, Brighton for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. For the 2024/25 season there are currently 100 Senior School boys hockey fixtures scheduled.

In our 2023/24 season, boys hockey enjoyed notable wins against Oakham School and Denstone College. Boys hockey players represented local clubs including the Harleston Magpies, Norwich City Hockey Club, Norwich Dragons Hockey Club and Culford Talent Academy. The highlight of our programme included our 1st XI team participating in the prestigious England Hockey Tier 1 National Championships. Overall last year, the 1st XI finished their hockey season on a high note, coming third in the Independent School Plate Competition. In addition to high-level competition, many of our students are also involved in the England Hockey Talent Academy Pathway. Last season we had seven boys hockey players representing The East Talent Academy in the year end tournament, coming out as overall winners and playing an integral part in their decisive wins in all their games.

Girls Hockey

Hockey at Norwich School offers a dedicated all-weather, floodlit astro hockey pitch, as well as a multi-surface training astro. In addition, we have an extensive sports hall for indoor hockey and 2 performance gymnasiums for training. We also have routine access to the dedicated hockey astro facilities at the award winning UEA Sportspark. Our Head of Girls Hockey is also the Culford Talent Academy Coach. 11 Norwich School Pupils competed in the England Hockey Talent Academy, representing The East Talent Academy Squad Cup. The girls were represented by 4 Norwich School pupils, who also gave a solid performance in their matches.

Girls Hockey has a busy programme of fixtures against local and national schools including Woodbridge School, Dame Allan’s School, St Teresa’s Effingham, Nottingham High School, Culford School, UEA 1^st Team, Framlingham College, Wymondham College, Norwich School for Girls, The Perse School, Royal Hospital School, Gresham's School, Oakham School, Kings Ely School, Felsted School, Langley School and Wisbech Grammar. Tours have included a pre-season tour to Nottingham and a 2023 tour to the Netherlands. For the 2024/25 season there are currently 101 Senior School girls hockey fixtures scheduled.

As well as many fixtures in the 2023/24 season girls hockey played in Tier 1, where the teams enjoyed victories against Leicester Grammar School, Cheadle Hulme School, and Eastbourne College. Our 2nd XI also qualified for the East Region Finals. Other notable successes include players representing the Harleston Magpies, Norwich City Hockey Club, Norwich Dragons Hockey Club and Culford Talent Academy. 4 Norwich School girls hockey players also competed in the England Hockey Talent Academy, representing The East Talent Academy Squad Cup.

Sports News

FONS Bid Provides Compasses for Orienteering Club

By Eleanor Lewis • February 17, 2025

Orienteering reappeared as a games option this year for the first time in a decade, available to L5 and M5 pupils in Michaelmas and Lent terms. I soon found that my dwindling set of old compasses was not sufficient to cater for the group of 20+ pupils doing the sport each week. So I was very grateful when FONS agreed to fund some new ones. I took advantage of a sale to purchase 20 new compasses for £55.85, and have been using them during training sessions and at competitions throughout this term. They are perfect for teaching a range of skills to beginners; not only taking bearings and finding direction, but they also have an array of distance measuring tools along the side. They should serve the orienteering club well for many years to come. This term I’ve had a group of 10 pupils using them weekly in games sessions, and as many as 20 pupils using them at competitions at the weekend. The pupils currently involved range from Lower 3 through to Middle 5. A highlight we have to look forward to in 2025 is that the British Championships is coming to Norwich for the first time ever. It will be held at UEA on 31st August, and hopefully lots of our pupils will take part, some armed with these new compasses!

Brilliant Results from the GB Under 19 Long Distance Trials in Boston

By Eleanor Lewis • February 16, 2025

Over the first weekend of half term, Nicholas Conway and Daniel White travelled to Boston, Lincolnshire to compete in the GB Under-19 Long Distance Trials. With 50 crews reaching this stage, they raced three times over a 3.5k course in pairs. In the first race, they were partnered with rowers assigned by the selectors. Based on their results from Run 1, they were paired with competitors ranked just above or below them for Run 2, and this process was repeated for Run 3. Daniel raced alongside rowers from Dulwich, Radley, and Shrewsbury, finishing in the late 20s for the first two runs. However, he delivered an impressive final performance, securing 17th place in Run 3. Nicholas had an outstanding set of results while racing with rowers from Canford, Bedford School, and Shiplake, progressing through the rankings with finishes of 11th, 7th, and an exceptional 5th place in the final run. Both athletes now await the selection decision for the Spring Assessment Trials in March, which will determine crews for the Munich Regatta. To progress further in the selection process for the Junior World and European Championships this summer, they must also complete a 2k ergo test and meet a required time standard to qualify for the Spring Trials in April. We wish them both the best for the luck as the Trial process continues.

Rowing Report from the Start of 2025

By Eleanor Lewis • February 13, 2025

The Senior Boys and Girls raced at Quintin Head, on the Tideway, with a solid result of 13th out of 33 crews from the boys 1st VIII. This was a good practice for both crews and coxes ahead of the Schools Head in March. With Hampton Head cancelled due to flooding, 55 rowers from j14 to J18 joined in a Club Time Trial on 1st February. With J14 Octos, J15 Girls and Boys 8s and 4s, Senior Girls 8+ and 2x and Senior Boys 2-, 4s and 8+ all competing with a downstream and upstream timed piece. It was great to make the most of our river, while other locations were flooded and to have all the Boat Club training together. Bedford Head saw 60 rowers racing in 18 different crew combinations, with wins for the J15 Boys 4+ and the J15 Girls 4+ and 8+. The half term will be rounded off by Daniel White and Nicholas Conway competing at the February Long Distance GB U19 Trials in Boston. Good luck to both rowers.