Covid, Hockey and the High School

It has been a strange start to the school year in the PE department at Newry High School. We have tried to develop a curriculum around guidelines for PE and school sport and provide our pupils with something that resembles a ‘normal’ curriculum.  I don’t think our hockey sticks and footballs have ever been cleaned as much as they have in 2020! Getting our young people active and involved in physical activity and sport has never been so important, it plays such an important role in maintaining their physical, social and mental well-being. 

In early 2020 I had a meeting with a group of determined and motivated members of Newry Olympic Hockey Club. We spoke at length about how we could re-establish and strengthen the link between the club and the school and shared ideas about developing the senior and junior sections of the club. I was invited to attend the club’s AGM where I got a valuable insight into the running of the club and the outstanding work the members are doing to develop and grow it. Having played hockey all my life, I understand the value that a club like NOHC has for the local community and indeed our school.

So, despite the pandemic we have a lot of positives to celebrate.

With the support of NOHC and Brian and Thomas Lockhart, who have both volunteered their time to coach, it has allowed us to offer hockey to Year’s 8, 9 and 10 boys and girls safely in year group bubbles. Thomas has also helped with the boys’ football coaching. 

We are extremely grateful for this help and support and the pupils have really enjoyed the coaching, I hope it has led to some new faces down at club training too. The feedback from the pupils has been really positive and I know they are excited to get back to hockey, hopefully in the not too distant future.

On behalf of Newry High School, I want to thank Newry Olympic Hockey Club for the continued use of their facilities. This is a vital resource in the delivery of PE and school sport. 

We are looking forward to working closely with the club in the future and strengthening links further.

Clare Dunn (Head of PE Dept @ Newry High School)