We are proud to share the achievements of Emilia D., Thea C., Thomas D. and Luca K., who have all recently represented the Midlands region as part of the Mercian Marauders squads at national tournaments this summer.
Emilia D. was selected as the number one goalkeeper for the Mercian Marauders Championship team at the UK Lions tournament. She had an amazing weekend and was outstanding in goal throughout, pulling off several top-drawer saves to help guide the girls through the group stages and semi-finals to reach the final.
The final was a tense match against a very strong West Panthers side. Emilia had a storming game and made two outstanding saves early in the second half to help ensure her team came out on top. She loved every moment of the weekend and the wider Midlands programme from the start, and is already looking forward to next year.
Thea C. was selected for the Mercian Marauders U14 squad to compete in this year’s Mercia Cup, having played and won the UK Lions tournament last year with the U13s. The Mercia Cup is very similar to the UK Lions tournament, bringing together regional teams from across the UK for three days of outdoor and indoor hockey.
Thea had a superb weekend, and the MM girls came out winners once again. She scored two goals in the final against Knowl Park to help secure the victory. Now in her second season with the Midlands squad, Thea has found the experience a great way to develop her hockey and test herself against some of the best players in the country.
Thomas M. and Luca G. took part in the boys’ UK Lions tournament earlier in the summer following their selection to the Mercian Marauders U13 squads. The three-day tournament was described as a “really intense hockey adventure,” with Luca calling it “one of the best experiences of my life.” Thomas said, “to push myself against some of the best players in my age in the country was amazing!”
Although their teams did not come away with any silverware, both finished fourth out of twelve – placing them in the top third overall. Both boys came away with valuable lessons in teamwork, resilience and how to handle the highs and lows of competitive sport. Four players from the Mercian Marauders squads were also selected to join the UK Lions team – a sign of the talent on display throughout the weekend.
Head of Hockey at Kimbolton School, Mr Jon Noble, commented:
“Personally, I am so pleased and proud of all four of them to have made the Midlands squads is fantastic achievement and for them to then perform at the level they have in the tournaments is amazing. We are definitely taking big steps forward with hockey at Kimbolton!”
Congratulations to Emilia, Thea, Thomas and Luca – we are proud of everything you’ve achieved and look forward to seeing what’s next.
