GB hockey success for Shrewsbury student

Shrewsbury Colleges Group student, Megan Lockley, will fly the flag for Shropshire within the women’s Great Britain College Hockey team.

Two students from Shrewsbury Colleges Group travelled to Cannock at the start of December to take part in the final team trial for GB College Hockey and, after proving her ability, Megan got the honour of selection.

Megan, 17, from Market Drayton, studies Graphics, Maths and German at A level. She started playing hockey at the age of 10 and continued to excel within the sport during her time at Newport Girls School.

Megan said: “I can’t wait to begin playing with the women’s GB College Hockey Team. It was amazing to earn a place on the squad and I’m really looking forward to the tour we will do through the summer.

“There is a good variety of sports to play at Shrewsbury Colleges Group, with great coaches. Hockey is played in a mixed team, so it really built up my confidence playing against boys as well. After sixth form I will go on to study at a hockey-based university.”

Despite working hard and successfully reaching the trial stage, student Luis Parker, 16, from Telford, sustained an injury at the final stage and wasn’t able to show the coaches his full potential.

Ethan Tolhurst, Group Sport and Enrichment Co-ordinator, said: “This is brilliant news for Megan and I’m really proud of all the students who have trialled or play for the GB college hockey teams. Megan has worked hard to get to where she is and being a member of this squad will only help her excel further.

“Enrichment allows our students to try new things. The options at Shrewsbury Colleges Group not only include competitive sports like rugby, football, basketball, netball, rugby and hockey; but also dancing and rock climbing. Seeing the students take part in extracurricular activities that they enjoy, that can help them further their education and make new friends is so rewarding.”

Megan will be joining a fellow Shrewsbury Colleges Group student as a member of the GB College Teams – Andrew Speke, 18, studies Bricklaying and will be taking part in his second year on the men’s GB College Hockey Team.

Megan’s first match will be on January 21.

There has also been great news within women’s football, with Emily Morris, Sophie Barker and Ellie Allen making it onto the U18 county squad.

For more information on Shrewsbury College visit: shrewsbury.ac.uk or call 01743 342 332 For Shrewsbury Sixth Form College visit: ssfc.ac.uk or call 01743 235491. Or come to the Advice Event on 11 January at London Road, between 5- 7.