Hockey

Hockey is enjoyed and played mainly across the autumn term for the girls and the spring term for the boys.  We field hockey teams from 1st XI right through to U9s in the Prep School.

Hockey at Ratcliffe is about participation as well as success and as a result, our teams have enjoyed some fantastic achievements at county, regional and national level in recent years.  Our U13 and U14 Boys have been County and Regional Champions and have reached two successive National Finals, within the last few years.  This philosophy has had an impact on an individual basis too.  We are extremely proud to currently have students at the school who have represented their Country at hockey.  The most recent of these being Olivia Back (Sports Captain) who played both England U16 and U18.  All students, regardless of their experience, are able to receive regular hockey training and we provide opportunity for as many students as possible to participate in school matches.  Regular fixtures are arranged midweek and on Saturdays, providing a large number of students with the opportunity to represent the school.

At Ratcliffe, facilities are outstanding and are up there with the best in the area.  We are very proud of our newly developed International Standard Hockey Pitch to go along side our existing one.  In addition to this we boast some exceptional standards of coaching through experienced hockey players and coaches within our current staff, as well as some superb outside coaching.  Within this framework of our team of dedicated and highly qualified coaches is MT13 Coach and former Great Britain U21 International Tom Sorsby.  In addition to this, MT13 and Nottingham University Director of Hockey Matt Taylor runs regular Hockey Camps during the holidays, as well as individual one-on-one sessions throughout the hockey terms.  Information about these camps will be published through the School website and our social media sites.

It is important to us that we provide opportunities for Individual player development.  This is extremely valuable to the player and equally important to the development of our hockey at school. We have a large amount of students involved in the England Hockey Player Pathway Development Centres, Academy Centres and Regional Performance Centres.  In addition, we are extremely proud as a school to be the host venue for the Leicestershire Academy Centre.  Working closely with several clubs we have also forged strong club links for our students to gain club experience.  These clubs include Men’s and Women’s National League Clubs.

We believe, here at Ratcliffe, that we provide opportunity for all students, irrespective of experience, to achieve their maximum potential through hockey and above all else gain enjoyment and friendship.