National Success for Ellesmere Hockey Players

The Ellesmere College High Performance Hockey Programme is enjoying further success with a number of students selected for training camps, programmes and competitions - all with national implications.

Six students are the latest in a long line of young players to come through the school's revered High Performance Hockey Programme - benefitting from the guidance of High Performance Hockey Programme Coach Simon Taylor and his team at the College.

L-to-R Top Row:  Isabella Moore, Alanah O'Brien, Millie Forster

L-to-R Bottom Row: Henry Dawson, Alex Popplewell, Finn Leonard 

Henry Dawson, 12, Finn Leonard, Alex Popplewell and Isabella Moore, all 13, Millie Forster, 17, and Alanah O'Brien, 18, have all made an important step on the path to fulfilling their dreams of playing hockey at the highest level.

Goalkeeper Alanah, who has earned a place at Durham University, has already represented Wales and will be attending the Welsh U23 training squad camp and has been selected to play for the Welsh U19 Team in the Home Nations Games this summer.

Isabella plays for Staffordshire region, North Staffordshire Club side and the Mercier Marauders and has been chosen for the team's England Hockey National Cup game, while Finn, Alex and Henry, who play for Deeside Ramblers, took part in the UK Lions selection programme. All three players had a fantastic tournament and whilst Alex and Henry narrowly missed out on selection, Finn was successful has gone through to play for the Lions Squad following his score of eight goals in the tournament.

UK Lions Hockey selection offers the opportunity to play top quality competition matches at home and abroad with the objective of offering exceptional life-long experiences through playing hockey. Many youngsters who have benefitted from the programme had gone on to represent their country at junior and full international level.

Ellesmere College Coach Simon Taylor said: "I am so proud of all of our players. At U13 they are too young to be a part of the U14 Pathway for England but have relished the opportunity to play for the U13 UK Lions in the Tensworth squad, and to be selected is a huge achievement for Finn!"

"It's an excellent opportunity for them to develop their skills and experience and help them reach the next level. Alanah has already achieved so much in the sport and is competing with the best Welsh players for international team selection. I am excited for her bright future and we are proud that her hockey at Ellesmere has been such a strong building block for her future. Isabella is getting the chance to play for her club at a very high level and is relished the support and mentoring that Alanah and the team have given her at the College."

Another Ellesmere hockey player - Millie Forster who plays at Bowden Hockey Club – was recently part of the winning team at the finals of the U18 National Championships competition at Beeston Hockey Club in Nottingham – making them National Champions 2021.

"All six of our players have worked very hard and have benefitted from the exceptional High Performance Hockey Programme we have at Ellesmere College and we are extremely proud of their commitment, dedication and achievements. Many of our players have gone on to play at the highest level – following in the footsteps of players such as Caro & Lottie Hulme, Commonwealth Games and the Ellen and Georgie Dawson into the National League. They are all a testament to the ongoing success of Ellesmere College as a centre of hockey excellence."

For more information about hockey opportunities at Ellesmere College visit: High Performance Hockey Programme

Main Image: Alanah O'Brien with Coach - Simon Taylor 

13th July 2021  Back to News