Issue 2 Winter 2008 (6.3 MB) - Blundell's School

T EAM FOCUSThe girl’s under 14 B hockey side have had a truly outstanding season; of the eightmatches they have played five have resulted in wins, the other three culminating indraws. Coaching the team was one of this year’s South African ‘gappies’ JarrydSwanepool, whose wealth of sporting experience guided the team to what wouldultimately be a season from the very top draw. Jarryd has been actively involved inhockey for as long as he can remember, his hard work paying off with captaincy ofcounty teams, regular Premier League appearances, and surely the pinnacle of hiscareer thus far, a call-up to play for his country against Zimbabwe.The under 14s were in safe hands from the start; Jarryd had been involved withvarious other school teams throughout the year, but had not been entrusted with aside of his own as of yet, so he was very grateful to have the opportunity to pass ontricks and skills ‘his way’. Training sessions focused on the development of theseskills, in particular nurturing the team’s ability to score, an ability that Jarryd feels is sooften overlooked by many coaches who are keen to focus on defence. Scoring is whatwins games, and that is certainly what the under 14s did, you only have to look at theirrecord to realise the marked improvement they made over the term, the climax ofwhich must be the 3-0 win over Millfield. Indeed, Jarryd’s resounding memory ofcoaching the team will be the immense satisfaction he got from watching them learn.“Spending an entire training session teaching one skill and knowing that they will beable to use it in a match is very satisfying to know.”“SCORING ISWHAT WINSGAMES, AND THATIS CERTAINLYWHAT THE UNDER14S DID...”Apart from determined practice, Jarryd puts their success down to the team’s spiritand unmoving resolve to succeed by working as a team, appreciating what each playerhas to bring to the game, these are truly unique qualities undoubtedly prevalent in allBlundell’s school teams. Of course, behind the team’s success were key individualefforts from Georgia Stone, the leading goal scorer, Olivia McBarnet, ably assisted byRachael Clarke, who made up the captaincy, and Jess Summers, who had a trulyimpressive season in goal. Jarryd adds that he will always remember Katie Robbinsand Jessica Lachlan for their vivacious personalities “which made training sessions inthe cold and rain bearable!”Jarryd’s departure at the end of this term will be one tainted by an air of sadness; hehas been an energetic presence on and around campus and will be sorely missed, bynone more so than the under 14 Bs, who are truly grateful for all of the effort he hasput in over the course of this term. Good-bye and good luck! Will McBarnet Year 1125