The Marlow women’s hockey team has achieved a significant milestone in their club’s history by securing promotion to the National League. This achievement follows their victory in the South Central Premier Division, where they secured the title with an impressive 6-2 win over local rivals, Maidenhead.
The team’s success can be attributed to their outstanding performance throughout the season, scoring a total of 80 goals and conceding only 18. A standout player in their campaign has been Lauren Hilditch, a young talent and former Henley player, who scored an impressive 19 goals in 19 games.
An essential component of their success has been the partnership between Marlow-based schools, namely Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School (SWBGS) and Great Marlow School (GMS), with the hockey club. This collaboration has facilitated the development of young talent and has contributed to the team’s overall performance.
Notably, the Marlow first team squad has an average age of 21.8, with a significant proportion of the squad consisting of school players. The blend of experience and youth has played a crucial role in their success, with captain Rachael Goodwin leading by example. Moreover, Rachel Clarke, a current GMS sixth form student, has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the team with the “glue” award, highlighting her hard work and commitment to the team.
Speaking about the team’s journey, Kate Porter, Marlow’s first team coach, commended the leadership team for their unwavering support, despite facing challenges such as injuries. She mentioned, “The positivity from the leadership team has been amazing. So far we’ve had three people in protective boots due to injuries and two MCL [Medial Collateral Ligament] injuries. It feels like we aren’t a hugely lucky team!”
In addition to the remarkable achievement of the women’s team, the men’s first team at Marlow has also had its fair share of challenges, with several players facing injuries, relocation for work, and university commitments. Despite these setbacks, the club continues to strive for excellence, aiming to overcome these obstacles in their pursuit of success.
Moreover, Marlow’s contributions to the development of hockey talent have been recognized by England Hockey, as the club was among the elite 20 to achieve Talent Centre (TC) reaccreditation. This acknowledgment further highlights the club’s commitment to nurturing and developing young talent within the sport of hockey.
In conclusion, Marlow’s historic promotion to the National League is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the players, coaching staff, and the support from the local community. It represents a significant achievement for the club and reinforces its position as a talent hotspot in the world of hockey.