At St Lawrence College Hockey is the performance sport for girls in the Michaelmas term and boys in the Lent term, although we do run hockey training through all three terms. Having three games lessons a week, as well as two activity lessons, there is ample time and opportunity to develop, whether you are trying hockey for the first time or are a competent player. An emphasis on learning core skills and gameplay in the Junior School proceeds into developing a more fluent technical hockey style in the Senior School.
Our Olympic standard waterbase and sand astroturf are used regularly to improve performance and develop knowledge of the game. Other facilities include a state-of-the-art sports centre which caters for indoor hockey as well as regular fitness sessions. St Lawrence College follows a strong traditional hockey ethos, concentrating on teamwork, leadership and commitment, all of which are taken with pupils when they progress through later life. We have national success almost on an annual basis. Our U15 boys finished 2nd in the country in the recent 2024 Nationals and our U16 girls finished 2nd in the country in the recent Tier 2 National Finals at Lee Valley.
SLC Indoor Hockey
Although the indoor hockey season does not start until after the October half-term, we start training during the previous Summer term and at the start of the Michaelmas term. We won the U16 boys’ National Champions in 2020 and alongside this our U18 girls have been National Finalists in 2019 & 2020. In 2018 our U18 boys were crowned National Champions and in the same year our U16 girls reached the National Finals. In 2024, our U16 girls were again National Finalists. To be competing on a national stage highlights the strength of our pupils and coaches. We often win the county indoor hockey competitions and are regularly one of the strongest indoor teams in Kent and the South East.
We have a full size indoor hockey pitch in our sports hall, which allows us to train and play matches regularly. We can host indoor County tournaments, as our indoor pitch is one of the best in Kent. Premier League Canterbury Hockey Club, who have reached Finals Day at Wembley Arena on multiple occasions have used our facilities in conjunction with Polo Farm to prepare for their indoor hockey season. The indoor hockey season at St Lawrence College is as competitive as our outdoor season, both boasting several international performers in our teams.
SLC Hockey Academy
Director of Sport Mr Seth Simmons founded the St Lawrence College Hockey Academy in 2014, and with the help of the coaching team has developed a constant stream of young talent ever since.
Talented hockey players from both the Junior and Senior School are selected to train on all aspects of the game. The academy is designed to stretch and create focus within the hockey skill set and during the sessions, each player continues to develop both physically and mentally.
We currently have four members on our coaching staff who have a wealth of knowledge spanning international and national league experience. Our Head of Hockey, Mr Degiovanni is a current hockey international and brings a wealth of experience to our many programmes that we offer. The programmes has developed a number of athletes who have gone onto to perform at county and regional level as well as the school having a long history of international performers. Our aim with these sessions is to provide our athletes with the best environment to develop and reach their individual potential.
