During the Easter holidays, Form 4 pupil Ben Foxley represented Wales in a test series of hockey matches against Switzerland.
The Welsh squad travelled to the city of Lausanne on the shore of Lake Geneva where the U16 and U18 teams each played three matches against their Swiss counterparts, recognised as full international matches by the Federation of International Hockey. Ben, aged 15 and one of the youngest in the squad, captained the U16 team for all three matches and led the team out on to the pitch.
The standard of hockey was extremely high and the teams were evenly matched. The Welsh boys were unlucky to lose the first two matches (5-2 and 2-1) but they controlled most of the play during the last match and came away with a 1-1 draw. Ben Foxley had the consolation of being awarded the Players’ Player of the Tour by his team mates.
Overseeing Ben Foxley’s leadership of the Wales U16s team was fellow Christ College pupil, Ben Wigmore.
Ben W had the honour of being Tour Captain with overall responsibility for the Wales U16s and Wales U18s team. Ben W has featured in the Wales U18 squad for a number of seasons, and was in outstanding form again as the U18s comprehensively won their 3 series match against their Swiss counterparts with 1-0, 6-2 and 2-1 victories.
Ben W was awarded Man of the Match by the Swiss players and coaches for his performance in the 1st Test and capped that by being awarded the Players’ Player of the Tour.
Both Bens have played a key role in the continued success of the 1st XI this season, and both were part of the Christ College U18s National Championship winning side. It is a great honour for Christ College hockey to have TWO Welsh captains playing for its senior hockey team.