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Lancashire Call Up for Rossall Quartet
Rossall's proud hockey traditions have been upheld this week with a quartet of talented young hockey players catching the eye of Lancashire selectors.
The quartet includes two girls and two boys. The girls, Alex Smith of Fleetwood and Jessica Hughes of Cleveleys are both 13 and have been picked to represent the county’s U-14’s after impressing scouts in league outings. Both have been playing for only two years but have benefited from coaching from Rossall'sHead of Girls' Sport, Emma Williams. Alex follows in the footsteps of older sister Gabby, now studying for GCSE examinations, who also represented Lancashire in the sport.
The girls are likely to earn their first colours in a tournament in Yorkshire later this month and continue to impress in school competition.
Rossall under 13 boys’ representatives, Charlie Andrews, 12, of Over Wyre and William Parker, 13, of Singleton, will also represent the county at U-14 standard and both have had different routes through to county level. Astonishingly, Charlie took up hockey just last year and only because he wanted something to do when a rugby practise session was cancelled due to bad weather. He’s never looked back, and Boys’ Hockey Coach, Alan Williams believes he’s a naturally gifted player. Said Alan: “Charlie loves the sport so much that he now prefers it to rugby and he is likely to figure for the County for years to come.”
William Parker is another young Rossall prospect. Brother of Lancashire senior girls’ representative and captain of Preston Ladies, Fran Parker, also of Rossall, he has developed a love of the sport from his sister and his father and although playing in central defence or centre midfield, regularly gets on the score sheet in school matches. William has already received his first county cap, playing in a triangular tournament for both U-14 and U-15 Lancashire sides. “It wasn’t a fantastic start because we lost two of the three games, one quite heavily to Cheshire but it was great experience and I can’t wait for the next call up,” he said.
Rossall’s hockey traditions pre-date the creation of the modern game, as the School has its own variant, "Ross Hockey", which has been around since the middle of the 19th century and is played only on the beach and only during the Lent term each year. Ross Hockey is unique in the world of sport and combines elements of Hockey and Rugby. It is known as an extremely tough and physical sport played with a wooden ball and a special stick, resembling that used in the Irish game, Shinty.
Ross Hockey matches are played most days at low tide through to the Easter break and such is its popularity that Old Rossallians from around the world have been known to fly in to the region compete. Added Alan Williams: “Ross Hockey is one of the reasons why we continue to develop excellent young hockey talent here at Rossall. It has always played a part in the school’s traditions but it is also a great proving ground for young players and helps them to develop both skill and strength, together with an ability to adapt to different playing conditions which are all crucial attributes for top class players.”
For further information contact: Steve Ashton - telephone 01253 857393
e-mail: steve.pr2@btconnect.com
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