Preston Lodge Primary Cluster Hockey Sessions – Summer 2018

After starting employment within Preston Lodge High School, Fiona Grant-MacDonald, a keen hockey player and member of Preston Lodge Ladies, identified that there was very little provision for budding young hockey in the cluster primary schools. From this, she decided to try and target some of the primary school children living within the local community. The Preston Lodge Cluster Primary Schools includes Longniddry, Cockenzie, St Gabriel’s and Prestonpans Primaries so with a potential pool of around 1200 kids, she wanted to try and spark some interest in hockey. It was hoping that from this interest, a clear pathway would be created and an outlet for children to continue with hockey as they progress into senior hockey in the coming years.

The Head of Health and Wellbeing at PLHS, Elizabeth Nichol, very kindly agreed to help support the venture with a funding grant to establish the new ‘Cluster Primary’ sessions. There was no charge to attend the sessions and safety equipment along with resources to enhance the coaching was purchased. This allowed hockey to be as accessible as possible for everyone as it was free to play and every child had access to shin pads and mouth guards which were provided free of charge to the kids.

The sessions ran weekly from the 24th April – 19th June after school and have seen 20-25 primary kids attending each week. There have been complete beginners right up to experienced district level players coming along. To add a little ‘magic’, Fiona invited some of the country’s best coaches and players along to help. Scottish Internationalist, Amy Brodie, who recently returned from the Gold Coast, playing in the Commonwealth Games 2018, visited to run a session which the kids loved and had their sticks signed! Martin Constable who plays for Grange and Scotland Masters also supported by running a session. Ross High Ladies Coach, Alison Gordon has also been along as a guest coach. Alison has been instrumental in re-building Ross High Hockey Club from Youth upwards through developing strong links with the school.

The last week saw a ‘mini’ festival of hockey, featuring Anna Logan and Joe Waterston (both Scotland U21) along with Chris Anderson the Scottish Hockey Regional Development Manager for East District, and Neil Allan of Complete Hockey Coaching. Hamish the Hippo was guest of honour.

Special thanks go to Susie Walker, Scottish Hockey Development Officer for East Lothian for her support and guidance with organising and coaching the youngsters throughout the summer term.

Further additional support from Preston Lodge pupils Christina Minto, Amy Lumsden & Connor Lyon has ensured the primary sessions have seen a fantastic number of kids enjoying hockey a taste of hockey.

The session has proved such a success that it will return in future terms. Well done to Fiona and her team.

To find out more about clubs, click HERE

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