Novi crowned England Hockey Boys’ U14 Tier 2 South East Champions
The Novi delivered an outstanding performance at the England Hockey Schools Championship Boys’ U14 Tier 2 South East Area Final, hosted at Tonbridge School.
The day began with a draw against Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, a disciplined performance that set the defensive tone for the morning. From that point forward, the boys found another gear.
They secured a 4-0 victory over Bishop’s Luffa School, followed by an exceptional attacking display in an 11-1 win against Lingfield College. A composed 3-1 win over Hoe Bridge School ensured momentum continued, before the tournament concluded with a dominant 9-0 performance against Lancing College.
Across five matches, the Novi remained unbeaten, conceding just two goals while scoring an impressive 27, a remarkable achievement at this level of competition.
Master in Charge of Hockey, Kieron Walsh, said, “Beyond the scorelines, what stood out most was the maturity of their play. Defensively, they were organised and disciplined, pressing intelligently and protecting central areas. In possession, they used the full width of the pitch, transferred the ball with purpose, and showed increasing confidence as the day progressed. Their ability to manage different game states, from the tight opening draw to high-scoring victories reflected both tactical understanding and collective belief.”
They now progress to the National Finals in March, where they will represent the South East of England on the national stage, marking the third time the boys have reached the finals.
