Hockey at St Lawrence College
Hockey is a performance sport at St Lawrence College, embedded into our culture of excellence and development. It is the focus sport for girls in the Michaelmas term and boys in the Lent term, with training available across all three terms. With two games lessons and four activity sessions each week, every pupil has the opportunity to develop their skills—whether they’re new to the sport or progressing towards elite performance.
Core Philosophy and Progression
In the Junior School, the focus is on building core skills and understanding gameplay. As pupils transition into the Senior School, the emphasis shifts towards a more fluent and technical style of hockey. Our coaching philosophy centres on teamwork, leadership, and commitment—qualities that support our pupils long after they leave school.
Facilities
We are proud to offer outstanding facilities that support all levels of hockey development:
- Olympic-standard water-based pitch
- Sand-dressed astroturf for training and matches
- Full-size indoor hockey pitch within our Sports Centre
Our facilities are regularly used by professional teams, including National League Canterbury Hockey Club, highlighting the quality and versatility of our provision.
Outdoor Hockey Success
Our hockey programme enjoys consistent national success. In 2024, our U15 boys finished 2nd in the country, while our U16 girls were runners-up in the Tier 2 National Finals at Lee Valley. These achievements reflect the depth of talent at the College and the dedication of our coaching team. This season, our U16 boys were crowned Tier 2 National Plate Champions, further cementing St Lawrence College’s reputation as one of the stronger hockey schools in the country.
Indoor Hockey
Indoor hockey is a vital component of our programme. Training begins in the Summer term and continues into the Michaelmas term, ahead of the winter competitive season. Our indoor record includes:
- U16 Boys – National Champions (2020)
- U18 Girls – National Finalists (2019 & 2020)
- U18 Boys – National Champions (2018)
- U16 Girls – National Finalists (2018 & 2024)
We regularly win county-level tournaments and are recognised as one of the strongest indoor hockey schools in Kent and the South East.
SLC Hockey Academy
The St Lawrence College Hockey Academy was founded in 2014 by Director of Sport, Mr Seth Simmons, and continues to produce a steady stream of young talent. Pupils from both Junior and Senior Schools train in advanced sessions designed to stretch their physical and mental skills within a high-performance environment.
The programme is led by a team of experienced coaches, including Head of Hockey Mr Degiovanni, a current international player. The Academy has nurtured athletes who have gone on to compete at county, regional, and international levels. Our goal is to provide each pupil with the best possible setting to reach their individual potential.
Get Involved
From beginners learning the basics to elite athletes preparing for national trials, our hockey programme welcomes all. For further details or to get involved, please contact our Head of Hockey – Tom Degiovanni at tde@slcuk.com.
