An independent school’s under-13s school hockey team has won a national title.
Ashfold’s triumphant girls beat Eagle House 3-0 to lift the U13 Indpendent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) cup held at Queenswood School, near Hatfield, in Hertfordshire on November 21.
Twelve teams including Ashfold, in Dorton, near Aylesbury, came through regional qualifying tournaments to play in the national finals.
The teams were split into two groups with the top two in each group going on to the semi-finals.
Ashfolds girls beat last year’s U12 champions Greshams to win their group and progress to the semi-finals.
In their semi-final Ashfold beat Millfield with a golden goal to win 2-1.
A spokesman for the school said the girls saved their best for last with a decisive and gutsy performance against Eagle House in the final.
It is the first time that Ashfold has entered the competition in the U13 category.
The team has been guided by Ashfold’s head of games, Elisa Woodford, and coached by Ben Woodford, Ashfold hockey coach and Buckinghamshire County Selector.
“Ben has helped the team sparkle with his wealth of coaching and playing experience and he got his tactics spot on at IAPS,” said the school’s spokesman.
“We are extremely proud of our girls’ outstanding achievements and our thanks go to Ben and Elisa for all their hard work and commitment.”
Ashfold’s success at IAPS follows a period of sustained investment in sport at the school, including facilities such as a state of the art, full-sized Astro Turf and the recruitment of specialist sports coaches.