Glenalmond Girls’ Hockey

The Michaelmas 2024 term has been a season of growth for Glenalmond Girls’ Hockey, marked by impressive achievements both on and off the field.

The 1st XI team improved their win percentage from 0% in the 23/24 season to 35% this season. This improvement also contributed to an overall Club win percentage increase from 17% to 31%, highlighting the depth and talent within the Junior squads, which will feed into the Senior teams. Glenalmond also has robust participation in hockey with 97% of Junior pupils and 42% of Senior pupils actively involved, resulting in an impressive overall participation rate of 64% for Girls’ Hockey.

Several players excelled at the regional level, with Jemma B, Maisie D, Natalie M, Georgia B, and Lochy M earning places in the Regional Aspiring Training Squads. Meanwhile, Jack S, Thomas D, Arran B, Adrianna H, Abbie B, and Vivienne S were selected for the Regional Emerging Training Squads. Within the 1st XI team, Merle L was named Coaches' Player of the Year, Elorri Imaz H was voted Players' Player of the Year, and Kiki Pagett was recognised as the Most Improved Player of the Year.

The Junior A girls had an outstanding term, reaching the Semi-Finals of the National Plate, with this match to be played in 2025 and we will be cheering them on. The 1st XI team saw their win/draw percentage surge to almost 65% this season, while the Senior girls and Junior girls won or drew almost half of their matches. The 3rd XI also made strides, welcoming 11 players who were completely new to hockey, showcasing the inclusive spirit of the program.

This term saw the implementation of several exciting initiatives aimed at strengthening the hockey program. The Junior Girls' Tour to Northern Ireland was a highlight, with 14 players and four coaches participating in this valuable experience. The introduction of Jack E to the coaching team and Matthew Binnington, Assistant Coach for Scotland’s U21 Men’s and U18 Aspiring Boys teams, as the new Head of Girls’ Hockey brought fresh energy and expertise to the program. The Junior and Senior Midlands tournaments were re-established, adding valuable competitive opportunities for players. An indoor hockey program was launched, with teams participating in the league for the first time. A pre-season camp held at Glenalmond laid the foundation for the term, and a 1st XI jersey presentation with families created a special sense of occasion. The term concluded with memorable events such as the Staff vs Pupils hockey match, which was enjoyed by all.

 This term, the school hosted the IAPS Tournament in October 2024, the HPC Camps during the summer holidays, the U16 Scottish Hockey Tournament in June 2024, and the Senior Aspire North Cup in November 2024.

With a strong coaching team and robust development programs, Glenalmond Girls’ Hockey is poised for continued growth and success. Congratulations to all players, coaches, and supporters for an extraordinary term and we are looking forward to 2025.