Old Bedalian selected for elite GB hockey programme

The Elite Development Programme (EDP) for 2021 has been announced by GB Hockey. Included in the squad is former pupil Pippa Lock, who joined Bedales Prep, Dunhurst in Group 3 before progressing to Bedales Senior School. She is now at the University of Birmingham studying Drama and Theatre Arts. 

First formed in 2017, the GB EDP is funded by UK Sport and designed to provide players who have the potential to become Olympic medallists of the future the best possible opportunity to achieve their international hockey ambitions. 

The GB EDP is made up of players from all of the Home Nations, while the England U21 programme is embedded within it. 

Several players have already made the step up to the senior GB squads having featured in the GB EDP. The priority over the coming months will be to prepare players to move into the senior teams following the conclusion of the Tokyo Olympics in the summer. 

Pippa Lock commented: "I am really grateful for the opportunities I was given at Bedales. As an environment, it always encouraged my growth, helping me develop teamwork skills from an early age by giving me to chance to train and play with older year groups. The support I received, especially from Kevin, helped develop my love of the sport and shaped the player I am today." 

Bedales Head of Hockey Kevin Boniface added: "We are very grateful to Pippa for returning to Bedales to run hockey workshops which have been such an inspiration for our students. We wish her well with this next phase of her hockey journey.”