There were over 116 prep schools competing and we had made it down to the last 16 schools in the country. It was an early start and we were all very excited. We had our sleeping bags ready for the cold winds. We were feeling nervous but confident at the same time, because we had played 66 matches over the previous two seasons, winning 64 and drawing two, with Fifi Robinson our main goal scorer scoring over 200 goals. We were the first to arrive and we laid our sleeping bags down in the dugout.

Our hard work paid off and we won our pool and commenced the quarter-finals. Our spirits were high and we won the match.

There was a tough semi-final ahead of us, where we played a strong team from Hazelgrove School in Somerset. We were determined to win, clinching the match 2 - 1. The whistle blew and we were now finalists! What an amazing feeling.

The final saw us face an athletic and skilful team from St. George’s in Weybridge. Our training in all weathers and help from the teachers had come down to this nail-biting moment. It was a tense match and the support from the sideline kept us going.

Shots hit the post and finally one hit the backboard. The whistle was blown and we leapt into the air. We were Under 11 national hockey champions!

Words by Sophie Howard, Danes Hill School