A Celebration of Hockey, Heart and Heritage
The annual Junior School U12 and U13 Hockey Festival was once again a resounding success, bringing together skill, sportsmanship, and school spirit in a truly memorable event. Held on our beautiful campus, this prestigious festival has become a highlight on the school’s sporting calendar—and this year, it soared to new heights.
With teams from across the country joining us, the atmosphere was electric from the first whistle. The much-anticipated Saturday Mini-Festival, which ran alongside the main Junior Festival, added a buzz of excitement, with enthusiastic spectators, non-stop action, and plenty of goals. From the first-time festival players to seasoned team leaders, our girls showcased not only their growing technical skills but also their ability to adapt tactically and work as cohesive, confident units.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the visiting teams, their dedicated coaches, and the supportive parents who travelled to be part of the weekend. Your energy and sportsmanship helped elevate the festival into something truly special. To our own St Mary’s DSG staff—academic, administrative, and grounds—thank you for pulling together behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. It takes a village, and this festival certainly reflected that.
We are also extremely grateful to our brother school, St Alban’s College, for generously allowing us to utilise their outstanding facilities for the U12 matches. Their support and hospitality significantly contributed to the smooth running and success of the event.
We were proud to welcome SuperSport Schools to the festival, helping shine a national spotlight on the talent on display. Special thanks must also go to our sponsors, XCO, whose generosity helped create an unforgettable experience for every player. The girls were especially excited about the coveted “Player of the Match” socks—an initiative that added a sense of reward and recognition and was worn with pride.
What stood out most, beyond the goals and passes, was the camaraderie. Friendships formed across schools, moments of mutual respect on and off the pitch, and an overwhelming sense of belonging that sport so beautifully brings out. School pride was palpable as the St Mary’s girls stepped up, both individually and collectively. Whether it was a defender intercepting a key pass, a striker finding the net in a tight match, or players tactically adjusting mid-game, every moment reflected the heart of team sport.
More than just a hockey event, the festival celebrated what we value most at St Mary’s DSG—teamwork, resilience, joy, and a love of the game. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year for another edition of this growing legacy.
