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Hockey in the Community: The Wallace High School Primary School Outreach Programme
The day began with local Primary School pupils from our own Prep, Harmony Hill, Pond Park, Moira, and Anahilt being coached by our current pupils in the morning, with a combination of skill-based practices and matches. The young players were guided through a variety of drills aimed at developing their core hockey skills, such as dribbling, passing, and positioning, all under the careful instruction of Wallace’s experienced students. Not only were the sessions highly educational, but they were also packed with fun, ensuring that every participant was fully engaged and motivated.
The encouragement and support offered by Wallace pupils throughout the morning created a positive and energetic atmosphere, allowing the primary school pupils to thrive. Their enthusiasm was evident, as they eagerly applied themselves during the games, with many showing real potential. The excellent coaching from Wallace pupils, combined with their ability to foster an inclusive and friendly environment, ensured that all one hundred participants left with a sense of achievement and joy, and the smiles on their faces were a true reflection of the success of the day.
Mr Andy Smyth, Principal at Anahilt Primary School, commented: “Anahilt Primary School had a fantastic time at Wallace High School’s hockey day in June. Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed their morning on the astro, honing skills and having fun under the expert guidance of Irish international and former Wallace pupil, Ben Nelson. With the support of current Wallace pupils, the session was both inspiring and engaging, and we are grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a memorable and successful event. We would also like to thank all those who helped to organise and make our staff and pupils feel so welcome.”
Hockey Skills Development and Olympic Athletes
The positive energy continued into the afternoon, as four members of the Irish international men’s side, who were preparing for the upcoming Olympics in Paris, arrived at Wallace to coach our boys and girls hockey players from Years 8 to 11. Past pupils Sean Murray (Irish captain), Jonny Lynch, and Mark McNellis, alongside teammate Tim Cross, were welcomed back to the school.
It was a tremendous experience for our pupils to be coached by such high-level athletes, all of whom were impressed by the skills on display. These international stars had recently helped Ireland defeat the reigning Olympic champions, Belgium, twice in the FIH Pro League and were more than happy to pose for pictures, sign autographs, and even join in the matches at the end of the session.
Mr Gareth Kidd, Head of Boys’ Hockey, was delighted with how the day unfolded: “It was fantastic to see so many young players enjoying hockey, both in the morning with the primary schools and later in the day with our own pupils. Having international players like Sean, Jonny, Mark, and Tim coaching them was a real highlight, and their willingness to engage with the students created a truly memorable experience. Days like these are what inspire the next generation of Wallace hockey players.”
The Old versus the New!
The day concluded with an exhilarating match between the current 1st XI, who are also the 2023 Irish Schools’ champions, and a team of past pupils, many of whom had helped previous Wallace 1st XI’s to cup success. In what can only be described as a thrilling encounter, the Past Pupils’ squad edged out a highly entertaining 8-6 win. Special thanks must go to umpires Mark Murray and Peter Watson, long-time supporters of Wallace hockey, whose efforts on the day were much appreciated. The evening came to a close with players, staff, umpires, and spectators enjoying pizza at the pitch—an excellent way to end a truly remarkable day of hockey celebration.
Last modified: September 25, 2024
