King’s hockey goalkeeper legacy in safe hands

Hockey is one of the major sports at King’s, and it has a fine record of achievement and participation in recent years, including several National Final appearances. King’s have also produced many fine goalkeepers in the recent past. Top of that list would be James Fair (below) who was the GB Olympic keeper in 2012 in London, making the semi-finals.

Other recent talented senior team keepers include Dan Whittingham (OKS2017) and Emily Cartwright (OKS2018), who were both outstanding and were great role models for today’s senior keepers Jake Wundke, Emily Hynes, Max Williams and Chloe Beetschen. This has all been helped in recent years by the appointment of Dr Chris Ashcroft as the King’s Hockey Coach. As the biography below outlines, he has a rich history as an international keeper himself, playing over 100 international games against all the top hockey nations as well as winning club, county and individual honours. His tips and coaching have helped numerous keepers of all ages to step confidently between the posts.

King’s has invested heavily in this specialised sporting role, boasting ten sets of goalkeeping kit made by the top New Zealand based firm OBO. Several keepers have their own kit, but this is not a cheap exercise so the school invests in and maintains its equipment so the students can participate freely.

Several lunchtime events are planned which will showcase the talent level we have and will also encourage other students to have a go. 

Upcoming Events

‘Beat the Keeper’ Challenge: Thursday 26 March, lunchtime.
Students and staff can take shots against the various year groups.

Agility showcase session and ‘Give it a go’ for new keepers: Summer Term (date TBC).
The strength through the school is very encouraging, and new students are encouraged to give it a try with Dr Ashcroft’s expert oversight and maybe end with some shots at Dr Ashcroft, plus an impressive session which is designed to show off the agility and reactions of our keeper team. It can be great fun stopping a hockey ball at high speed and potentially winning a big game for the team.

Goalkeeper Biographies 

Girls

Name: Alice Everett (SHFOX)
Age: 12
When did you start goalkeeping: Just this year in Shells.

Name: Sinéad O’Mahony (3WAL)
Age: 13
When did you start goalkeeping? When I had just turned 12.
What attracted you to it? I liked the look of trying to save the shots in general and also being quite an important part of the team.
Favourite save/technique: My favourite 1v1 technique is probably running out and using my stick and hands, I also love getting the opportunity to dive.
The best game you’ve ever played in: A game in an indoor tournament at school, indoor hockey is really fun and you’re involved all the time!

Name: Anna Harris (5FOX)
Age: 15

Name: Emily Hynes (U6FOX)
Age: 17

Boys

Name: William Simmons (RMSG)
When did you start goalkeeping? I first played in goal when I was 9, in year 4.
What attracted you to it? My coach encouraged me to bring a goalkeeper kit to try being in goal. Then I watched someone else in goal and thought, I would enjoy that.
Favourite save/technique: Diving Top or bottom corners.
The best game you’ve ever played in: Brooklands away, it was hailing and snowing, I was only 10 and asked to play in an older team. We got into the last 30 seconds, the score was 3-3, and the ball was hit onto my far post, it was deflected off my leg pad onto the cross bar and dribbled in. The final score was 4-3 against an amazing team. I got player of the match and I was told by their coach that I was one of the most exceptional goalkeepers he had seen play. 

Name: William Mason (RMMW)
Age: 11             
Club: Chester HC

Name: William Barlow (RMSC)
Age: 11             
Club: Deeside Ramblers HC       
Representative honours: Cheshire East Academy

Name: Oliver Berry (SHGLA)     
Age: 12       
Club: Bowdon HC         
Representative honours: Greater Manchester Academy.
When did you start goalkeeping? Year 4 in Junior School.
What attracted you to it? The main aspect of being a keeper and being in the goal saving the team.
Favourite save/technique: Corners, they are a real challenge.
The best game you’ve ever played in: Maybe Sandbach in the ISHC this year, I made loads of saves against a really good team but we lost 2-1 in the last 30 seconds in torrential rain!

Name: Harry Taylor (SHWER)
Age: 12               

Name: William Saul (3DUT)
Age: 14               
Club: Neston HC
When did you start goalkeeping? Year 5 in Junior School.
What attracted you to it? Seeing a friend play keeper really made me want to try out and have a go.
Favourite save/technique: Definitely 1 v 1’s as I like to slide out at people and give them a hard time on the ball.
The best game you’ve ever played in: Down at Birmingham University for the Independent Schools Hockey National semi-finals in 2019, we lost the semi-final 4-2 but I played really well.

Name: Jake Wundke (U6BRD)
Age: 17     
Club: Chester HC
When did you start goalkeeping? Fourth Year (Year 10).
What attracted you to it? Just seemed like good fun.
Favourite save/technique: Wipe outs (1 v 1), but also love pulling off a diving save.
The best game you’ve ever played in: Personally in terms of how I played, a one-nil win away at Rossall on a rainy, cold January day in 2018, made a lot of saves and clinched the game.

Name: Max Williams (U6LES)
Age: 17
When did you start goalkeeping? I am pretty new to goalkeeping after only starting in December 2019 as the substitute keeper for the Boys 1st XI, although I plan on continuing goalkeeping for a while to come.
What attracted you to it? For me, it was a decision in the moment as I began the season playing outfield and we were caught short when Jake, the regular 1st XI keeper, became ill and I certainly haven’t looked back.
Favourite save/technique: Stick saves are my favourite as it’s always satisfying stopping a flick.
The best game you’ve ever played in: Winning 11-0 this season against Rydal where I didn’t have a single touch of the ball, which is always a good sign!

Coach

Name: Dr Chris Ashcroft 
Age: Old!
Clubs: Neston, Cannock, Bowdon, Oxton.
Representative honours: Wales and GB, Commonwealth Games, UK Player of the Year.
When did you start goalkeeping? Age 15 at Calday Grange School.
What attracted you to it? I was a football keeper, I tried rugby but didn’t like it so hockey was similar to football. I tried outfield then gave it a go in goal.
Favourite save/technique: Corner defence, a real battle against the strikers where you have to watch for clues.
The best game you’ve ever played in:  My 100^th cap against Spain in the European Championships.