U9 & U8 Rugby and Hockey Festivals: A Day of Grit, Skill and Team Spirit

On Tuesday 11th November, our U9 & U8 pupils showcased incredible determination, teamwork, and resilience at a day packed with rugby and hockey action. From the first whistle on the rugby pitch at King’s Hawford to the intense matches on the hockey turf at RGS The Grange, our young athletes gave their all, braving rain, cold, and tough competition with energy, skill, and unwavering spirit. It was a brilliant display of progress, effort, and sportsmanship across both sports.

U9 Rugby Festival

The U9s travelled to King’s Hawford for their first rugby festival since the half-term break, and they wasted no time getting straight back into the swing of things. From the very first whistle, the boys played with real intent and energy, producing some excellent rugby in their opening games against King’s Hawford and The Downs. 

As the afternoon went on, the weather took a turn as the rain began to pour and the temperature dropped, but the boys showed fantastic resilience and determination. Their next match against Winterfold saw them continue to attack strongly, showing great teamwork and support play, although they found it challenging to contain the speed and flair of the Winterfold attack. 

The final match of the day was against a strong and physical Blue Coat side. It was the only defeat of the afternoon, but it was arguably the most impressive performance. Despite the cold conditions and tired legs after a long afternoon of rugby, the boys dug deep defensively, putting in some huge tackles and making it very difficult for Blue Coat to find a way through. 

It was brilliant to see how much effort and spirit the team showed throughout the festival. We identified some clear next steps for our training, particularly working on our shape, spreading out more effectively, and moving the ball quickly through the hands. Overall, it was a day full of positives and progress. 

Well done to all the boys for a fantastic effort in tough conditions. 

U9/8 Hockey

Despite the relentless rain pouring down at RGS The Grange U9 hockey tournament, the girls refused to let the weather dampen their spirits. They stepped onto the pitch with determination and showcasing real grit in every match. The girls managed to go unbeaten across the entire afternoon which is an outstanding achievement, especially given the challenging conditions and the high standard of the opposing teams. 

This performance highlighted just how far Tiegan, Hibah, Maren, Alice and Olivia have come this year. Their teamwork, communication and confidence have grown enormously which was evident in the way they supported each other, stayed composed under pressure and continued to push forward with positivity. From strong defensive tackles to well-constructed attacking play, the girls demonstrated impressive progress and maturity. It was a fantastic showcase of their hard work and development and a thoroughly proud moment for the whole team. 

U9/8 Hockey v KH and RGS

Our U8/U9 team enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of hockey against sides from RGS The Grange and King’s Hawford. It was a brilliant opportunity for the girls to put their skills into practice and gain valuable match experience. Luna was exceptional in defence, reading the game superbly and earning her first-ever Player of the Match award—a well-deserved achievement! Molly impressed with her versatility, contributing strongly in both defence and attack, showing great determination throughout. 

The rest of the team Nell, Lakshmi, and Leen worked hard to apply what they’ve learned in training, demonstrating growing confidence and teamwork. A special mention goes to Kate, who bravely stepped into her very first hockey match and played with fantastic enthusiasm. 

The girls showed excellent team spirit and learned so much from the experience. Well done to everyone for their effort and positivity!