27th January 2015

NEWS RELEASE

Wales Hockey International Runs Girls Hockey Master Class at Ewell Castle School

Ewell Castle School recently appointed Senior Wales International Leah Wilkinson to its staff (Physical Education and History Departments), and Wednesday 21st January she ran a Hockey Master Class, where she shared her skills and experience with a group of girls from Ewell Castle Junior School and The Study School New Malden.

Hockey has been popular at Ewell Castle Junior School for some time and with the introduction of girls into the Senior School from September 2015 (the Sixth Form is already co-educational), the School is keen to broaden its appeal and visibility within the wider School community. Peter Harris, Principal of Ewell Castle School, remarked “We are delighted that Leah joined the School earlier this academic year as she brings a wealth of hockey experience and ability with her. We were delighted to have hosted the Girls’ Hockey Master Class that provided the pupils with technical tips from a top hockey international, as well as giving them the opportunity to put that advice into practice, as a hockey fixture between the two schools was organized at the end of the afternoon. We’re welcoming girls into our Senior School this September and in due course hockey may be added to the list of sports that form part of our ECSports Academy.”

“In time, the Master Classes will allow pupils to gain up to date technical skills which are being used by players at the top level currently”. Added Miss Wilkinson, “It's our hope at Ewell Castle School that these Master Classes will grow and we will be able to help develop many young players around the county.”

Notes to editors:

Senior Welsh International, Leah Wilkinson joined Ewell Castle in September 2014 and teaches History and Physical Education. She started playing hockey at the age of 5, received her first senior cap for Wales at age 18 and now has 97 caps. She is Vice captain of both premier league Reading Hockey Club and Wales and has played at two Commonwealth Games (2010 Delhi, 2014 Glasgow). Having competed and travelled extensively with her club and country, she is also a level 3 hockey coach and level 1 umpire.

From September 2015 Ewell Castle will become fully co-educational. In addition to the Junior School and Sixth Form, girls will join at our normal entry points of Years 7 and 9. All pupils enjoy the strong academic, pastoral and extra-curricular benefits offered at the School from ages 3 to 18.

For further details of the ECSports Academy, contact Mr Jon Grindrod, Ewell Castle School Director of Sport.

For more information and for images please contact:

Carol Hernandez - Marketing and Development Manager

Tel: 0208 394 3578

Email:

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