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IAPS National U11 Girls’ Hockey Championships

We are thrilled to announce that our U11A girls’ hockey team have been crowned both IAPS National U11 Girls’ Hockey Champions and Tier 1 Kent U11 Girls’ Hockey Champions following their success at tournaments over the past week.

Having won the Regional IAPS tournament at Haileybury School in October, the team travelled to Millfield school in Somerset on Friday 10th November to compete in the National Finals and attempt to retain the title that St Michael’s won last year.

The first match against Gresham Prep was a reminder that it was not going to be easy as they drew 0-0. Next up was Beaudesert Park School and a 3-0 victory when two goals from Elizabeth A and one from Clara H gave the team a boost of confidence. The third match was a 2-1 victory against Perse School with one goal each for Elizabeth A and Anna W.

A long break did not help the team’s momentum and a disappointing 0-0 draw against St Piran’s meant they needed to win or draw the last group match to qualify for the knockout stages. Despite an early goal from Anna, they struggled to convert their  chances and ended up drawing 1-1.

In the Quarter-Finals the team came to life and a cracking penalty corner strike from Elizabeth A gave them a well deserved 1-0 victory against Millfield School. The Semi-Final was against Warwick Prep and the team played some amazing hockey to win 2-1 with two excellent goals from Elizabeth.

Onto the Final and a local derby against Granville School, the team was fired up, motivated and produced some more great hockey to go 2-0 up with several other opportunities to score before conceding a goal late in the game. However, the 2-1 scoreline remained and St Michael’s was crowned National IAPS U11 Girls’ Hockey Champions for the second year in succession!

An incredible performance from every member of the squad but special mention to captain Elizabeth A for scoring eight goals and leading by example.

Tier 1 Kent U11 Girls’ Hockey Championships

Just 3 days after being crowned IAPS National U11 Girls’ Hockey Champions, the team set off to Canterbury to compete in the Tier 1 Kent Championships on Monday 13th November.

The team began strongly with a 2-0 victory against Kent College, Pembury with goals from Kayla K and Elizabeth A. The second game was against Sevenoaks Prep and despite endless chances, the team could not score a goal and the 0-0 scoreline did not reflect the team’s dominance. Spurred on by this disappointment, the last group match was a 3-0 win against Junior King’s, Canterbury with two goals for Elizabeth A and one for Anna W.

Having won the group, the Semi-Final was against Kent College, Canterbury and by now the team had rediscovered their national winning form and produced a dominant display to win 5-2 including a hat trick for Elizabeth A and two goals for Anna W.

Our opponents in the Final were Sevenoaks Prep who beat IAPS National runners-up Granville in their Semi-Final. Goals from Elizabeth A and Anna W gave St Michael’s a 2-0 victory and another trophy. As Kent Champions the team will now represent the county at the Regional Finals in March 2024.

Another incredible achievement and the U11A girls’ fourth tournament victory in a momentous season!

Reports by Mrs Bingham, Games Teacher