With 175 teams initially entering the competition, the U11 hockey side made it to the finals of the IAPS Nationals.

After winning the regional round in Bishop’s Stortford last month, BGS made their way to Repton School in Derbyshire last Friday.

20 teams qualified for the National Finals, with the schools split into four groups of five.

BGS made a brilliant start by beating Queen’s College (Taunton) 1-0, followed by a goalless draw with MK Prep and victories over Bedford Modern School and Kingswood School (Bath). 

Qualifying for the knock-out rounds, BGS beat St Michael’s Prep School (Kent) in the last eight 1-0, to reach the final where they faced Kingswood.

The girls started brightly, with a shot of theirs cleared off the line in the first minute, but it wasn’t to be, as they conceded their first goal of the tournament, resulting in a 1-0 win for Kingswood.

Mrs Howlett, PE teacher, said: “I’m so proud of the girls. To only concede one goal in such a high level of competition is a superb achievement. 

“The girls managed themselves in a mature manner all day. They remained calm, and played with the determination and competitiveness that is needed to perform so well on the day.

“They were a true team. We worked together and trusted in each other.”

The girls certainly got a taster for future competition, as the event at Repton resembled a professional tournament, with the sidelines packed with familiar faces, music booming out across the pitches during the warm up and resutls shown on big score boards along with a countdown clock.