Fifteen current º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ and º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Hockey students represented nations including England, Wales and Scotland during this year's championships.
The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ athletes showcased their skills and dedication on the international stage, contributing significantly to their teams' efforts in various competitions during the tournament.
The England U21 men's team had a challenging run, finishing fifth overall. Despite some early struggles, the team showed resilience, especially with a standout 9-0 victory against Turkey. Rory Penrose was a key player for England, scoring five goals throughout the tournament.
Paddy Rose, Tom Moorhouse, Alex Chicota, Felix Tully, Jack Webb, and Tom Spreckley also contributed significantly. The team's journey ended with a respectable 5th place.
Rory Penrose reflected on his final junior tournament: "We didn't achieve our dream goal of winning the tournament, but to lose just one game out of 5 and draw 3-3 in the group stages with eventual champions Spain showed the quality of the group."
The England U21 women's team had an impressive tournament, securing the bronze medal. Goalkeeper Molly Smith was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament, a testament to her outstanding performances.
Molly expressed her joy at the achievement, stating, "It was a great sense of achievement to have won GK of the tournament and come away with a bronze with an amazing team."
Captain Beth Alexander and forward Jess Dyson were also instrumental, with Dyson scoring three goals during the tournament.
Scotland's U21 women's team had a golden campaign at the EuroHockey II-B Championships in Turkey, finishing first and securing a place in the Junior World Cup.
Mhairi Low scored two goals, while Keira Forester added another to secure Scotland's dominance. Low reflected on the victory, "It was a long and intense build-up, but the Championship title was ours. It was a huge learning experience all round."
The Wales U21 women's team also had a stellar tournament in Czechia, clinching the gold medal at the EuroHockey II-A Championships and earning promotion to the A-division and World Cup qualification.
Maisie Riley and Amy Cradden were key players for Wales, with Cradden winning the top goal scorer award. Maisie Riley reflected on the tournament's success: "As a squad, we built throughout the tournament, making the gold medal feel even more possible to achieve. It was a great way to end my U21s journey."
The Wales U21 men's team faced a challenging tournament, finishing with one draw and three losses in their group at the EuroHockey II-A Championships in Czechia. During this tournament, Owen Raw made his international debut for Wales, marking a significant milestone despite the tough results.
The focus now shifts to upcoming international competitions, including the Junior World Cup. With 15 students having represented their countries, the future looks incredibly bright for these young players as they continue to build on their experiences and strive for even greater achievements on the international stage.