Christ College Brecon’S Four Boys’ Hockey Internationals In Action Over Easter

It was a busy Easter weekend for Christ College Brecon’s four hockey internationals as they took on Switzerland in North Wales.

With Lower Sixth pupils Tom Wood and Fred Davies and Year 11 pupil, Ben Foxley playing for the U18 Boys’ squad, and Year 10 pupil Harry Copp playing for the U16 side, it is clear to see that hockey development at Christ College continues to excel.

Both National Age Group (NAG) Male Squads (U16 and U18) were put through their paces over the Easter weekend with the home match series’ taking place between Good Friday (April 3rd) through to Easter Sunday (April 5th).

The Under 16 and Under 18 Boys played Switzerland at Glyndwr Uni, Wrexham. This is the second year in a row the sides have spent the Easter weekend with the Swiss after travelling to Switzerland for a series of matches last Easter.

NAG Head Coach at Hockey Wales, Lee Ible, commented: “I am really excited at the prospect of playing a number of matches over the Easter period. It’s fantastic that Switzerland are coming over to play, these will be great matches for both the U16 and U18 squads. We had a great series out in Switzerland last Easter and I know the players are really looking forward to playing them again. The U18s will have three further tests on the back of the Switzerland matches, versus Scotland and Ireland in Glasgow. It will be a real test for the guys to play 6 matches in 6 days; but this is vital preparation for the U18 European Championships in July.”

Christ College Brecon’s Hockey Professional, Chris Marriott added, “Whilst we are of course pleased that Fred, Ben and Tom have been selected again, we are delighted that Harry Copp has made the U16’s for the first time after being nominated to join the Wales training group after Christmas. He has undoubtedly benefited from training alongside the older boys and girls at the Brecon 360 Talent Development Centre which we deliver here at Christ College in partnership with Hockey Wales.”

With a mixed set of results, Tom Wood scored the fourth goal in Wales’ 4-1 win on the Friday evening and Wales’ only goal in their 3-1 defeat on Saturday 4th April.

These international honours rounded off a fantastic term of hockey achievements at Christ College. The girls’ U14, U16 and U18 teams all reached the National finals. Not to be outdone, the boys’ U16 and U18 squads won the South Wales Cup to go through to the National finals later in the Summer term.