Level 2 Newcastle School Games Yr5/6 In2Hockey

On Thursday 28th February Newcastle schools came together at Walker Activity Dome for the Level 2 School Games In2Hockey competition for students in Yrs 5/6. 

In2Hockey follows on from Hockey's introductory 4-a-side game Quicksticks, and can be played with goalkeepers or without.  There are 6 players in a mixed gender team and the game is played across half a full size hockey pitch.  The small-sided teams mean that players get more touches on the ball, increased levels of physical activity, more opportunity for skill development and a greater feeling of contributing to the team.

Our schools turned up with little experience of this new format of the game, but this did not dampen their enthusiasm or motivation to master the new rules that were thrown at them in an impromptu 'master class' before the competition began properly. 

In2Hockey Master Class in Full Flow!

Once the fixtures were underway they all acquitted themselves brilliantly without exception and applied their new knowledge of the game really well.  This format of Hockey naturally promotes more goals per game and makes for more exciting fixtures as a consequence, not least through the introduction of the 4 v 2 power plays which are awarded to the attacking team when a defender commits an offence in the shooting area.

After an incredibly competitive round-robin set of fixtures those teams achieving podium finishes were identified and rewarded with Gold, Silver and Bronze certificates in recognition of their efforts.  Steve Beharall, Lead School Games Organiser in Newcastle (and new convert to the game of hockey) said "I'm really impressed with all our participants, they've adapted so well to this new format of Hockey for young people.  The game is faster and as a result the games are exciting and involve more goal scoring opportunities.  In2Hockey and Quicksticks for the younger students are both great resources to develop interest in the game of Hockey."

The Tension in the Moment Before the Results are Shared!

Our results on the evening were as follows:

GOLD - Cragside Primary

SILVER - Wingrove Primary

BRONZE - St Oswalds Primary

Our congratulations and thanks go to every single participant attending the competition as they were all a credit to their schools.  They dealt with the new rules, which even had those parents on the sideline scratching their heads at times, brilliantly.  Our thanks MUST also go to the teachers who supported their children in getting to the event along with carrying out coaching duties from the sideline.



Always Great to see SMILES Once the Results are Shared.



A special mention goes to Cragside Primary who will go on to represent Newcastle at the Tyne & Wear Level 3 School Games event on the 15th March, where they will play teams from across 5 Local Authority areas.