An unforgettable hockey exchange to New Zealand...

This summer, I was very fortunate to go to New Zealand as a part of the King's Bruton and St Bede's hockey exchange programme. It was certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity and I must thank Mr Eriksson (Director of Sport) and Mr Wilmshurst (Headmaster), for allowing me to go on such an adventure. It was definitely an exchange which was more than hockey, the lifelong friendships I formed, and the experience of a whole new culture was just unforgettable.

The hockey was definitely different. Everything was played at a much faster pace, with faster astros and different balls all taking time to adjust to. Playing in quarters instead of halves and regrouping every 15 minutes was invaluable. The opposition teams also liked to play a lot in the air, whether that was with monstrous aerials or 3D skills which I have never seen before. It was almost a different sport! However, once I had adjusted to the change of pace, I truly started to enjoy and appreciate what I was a part of. In the regional competition, we had made it to the finals, but had just lost out on winning with a 4-3 loss to Timaru Boys' High, who were national winners last year. So, to come so close was agonising but we were still proud of where we had finished. In my final week in New Zealand, we flew up to Tauranga for the annual tournament week. With golden beaches and the open ocean, it is safe to say Tauranga’s scenery was incredible. Coupled with a busy week of hockey, it could not have been more perfect. To top my time off, I was fortunate to be a part of St Bede’s second best ever team, where we finished just within the top 15 in the whole country.

As one would expect, school life was completely different. Predominantly a day school, St Bede's would begin at 8.30am on most days and finish at 2.30pm. With lessons and breaks fitted in throughout the day. The afternoons were fitted with hockey trainings, and I will never forget the 6am Tuesday fitness training sessions which were brutal. Thanks Damo.

I must of course mention my lovely host family. Sandy, Hayley, Scarlett, Charlie (came to King’s in 2018) and Louie Hall. The family is one of the nicest and most vibrant families I have ever met. So naturally, we did a lot of things. The most memorable being skiing just outside Queenstown. I was taught how to drive, started airfix models, watched some rugby, played countless hours of golf, and was lucky to dine at prestigious restaurants and learn about the fine cuisine of New Zealand. So, a massive thank you must go to the Hall family, who made my experience so unique and so enjoyable. Without, I am sure, it wouldn’t have been the same.

The culture was a big difference to back in England, and being at an all-boys school I would say I truly experienced it. The haka being one of the most eye-opening, spine-tingling events I have witnessed. It played a huge part of the NZ culture, and it was definitely something I wish we had in England.

Although the trip was memorable in itself, perhaps the best memories were skiing and playing the SSP finals in front of the loudest and biggest crowd possible. Both of which will stay with me for a very long time and which I am proud to have been a part of.

King's Hockey is famous for its success and for punching well above its weight. This is down to the experience and drive of Mr Eriksson, alongside the extensive facilities and training which King's offers, making hockey one of the main sports, and the sport in which we do so well in. We are very lucky to have this exchange, as it helps improve individual players and their development massively. If you are lucky to experience what I and few others have experienced, I would say just know before you go, it’s much more than hockey and get involved with everything you possibly can because the 2 months fly by, and you don’t want to leave.   

Jeevan - Prefect, Blackford House

Some of these photographs are used with the kind permission of Geoff Soper Photography, New Zealand.

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