Barton Peveril Hockey Team Are National Champions

Barton Peveril Sixth Form College’s Women’s Hockey Team are the Association of Colleges (AoC) National Hockey Champions!

The Women’s Hockey Team were victorious in the final of the national competition, beating Richard Huish College 1-0 in Birmingham on Wednesday 4th May 2022. 

Student Maddie Hilditch, who scored in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals, scored the winning goal for the College squad. The Team, who were cheered on by nine Barton Peveril students who made the journey to Birmingham to support their college-peers, continued their unbeaten run to secure victory.

Winning Streak

The Women’s Hockey Team earned their place in the national final after beating Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, an independent Boarding School in Yorkshire, 2-1 on Wednesday 30th March 2022. Students Charlotte Mould and Maddie Hilditch scored the goals that secured the Hampshire-based College’s spot in the final.

The Barton Peveril squad previously defeated Peter Symonds College 5-2 in their quarter-final match on Wednesday 2nd March, 2022. Student Maddie Hilditch scored twice, with Esme Hills, PJ Watkins and Gracie Coleman each scoring once to help the team reach the next stage in the national competition. 

The AoC National Cup is a competition open to every college in England, with students playing in regional tournaments before turning to face other college teams from institutions across the country.

Barton Peveril Principal, Jonathan Prest, commented on the victory:

‘Women’s sporting success is catching the limelight across the UK and it certainly is at Barton Peveril! To win the National Championship against outstanding teams is a remarkable achievement. Huge congratulations to the players themselves, who put everything into this. Credit should also go to their coach Katie Spooner. Several years ago we struggled to put out a competitive Women’s Team each week but with the appointment of Katie as a teacher in the Sports Department, herself an excellent hockey player, we have seen a seismic transformation in interest and commitment.’

Speaking on the success, Barton Peveril Teach of Sport and Women’s Hockey Coach, Katie Spooner, said:

“In disgusting weather, the girls held their own and put a shift in to create the pressure as a Team that led to the goal. Fantastic squad performance! These girls have travelled up and down the country this year and they have been a delight to coach, this experience will put them in good stead for their future to take on any challenge”

Barton Peveril Teacher of Sport and Hockey Coach, Paul Yeates, also commented on the success:

‘The girls played full of confidence as a real team, where they fully supported each other. The belief was there from the off that they could win!’