Kilgraston pupil represents Scotland in hockey
Kilgraston’s Head Girl 2022 - 2023, and hockey captain, Lexie, has been selected to play for Scotland in the Aspiring U18 Girls squad in the EuroHockey Championships to take place in Krefeld, Germany 6-17th July 2023.
Lexie said: “I am so pleased to have been selected to represent Scotland in the Aspiring U18s Girls EuroHockey Championships this July taking place in Germany where we will play some of the top teams in Europe. I would like to thank Mr David Stott, my Kilgraston Hockey Academy coach for all of his time, encouragement and dedication during our hockey academy sessions. I have really enjoyed being Captain this year and would like to thank the team for all of their efforts on and off the pitch. I would like to wish the new team all the very best of luck for the next upcoming hockey season.”
Lexie was one of the Kilgraston XI team which won the Scottish Hockey Challenge plate and has represented Scotland on a number of occasions with over 20 caps to her name already.
Kilgraston’s Hockey Academy offers sportswomen the opportunity to grow and learn from the best. It is led by Mr David Stott, a former GB coach, and PE teacher, Mrs Emma Fraser.
Kilgraston Hockey Challenge Plate Winners 2023
Kilgraston Hockey Challenge Plate Winners 2023, and read Lower Sixth’s Martha’s match report:
Last Friday (17th March), the Senior Girls Hockey team left Kilgraston at 7:30 in the morning to drive to Peffermill in Edinburgh to play the Scottish Challenge Plate Final against Galashiels Academy. Excitement and nerves built as we edged ever closer to the 10am push back.
We were welcomed and given our changing room where we had our team talk from Miss Patton and Mr Stott before the final motivational comments were passed to amongst each other (not forgetting last minute hair prep)!
The whole team emerged into the Edinburgh sunshine for a nervy warm up on the pitch listening to the build up from the man in the tartan suit on the microphone! About 15 minutes from pushback two Kilgraston mini buses arrived filled with supporters from school. They came laden with posters and were prepared to be in full voice for an hour.
Along with school friends we would like to thank parents and grandparents for coming along too. It was also lovely to see Mrs Davie, Mrs Ferry, Mrs McCormick and Mrs Cran in the stands too.
The whole team lined up and we were each introduced one by one before walking out and going into our final huddle.
“Kilgraston… Cor Unum… OI OI OI!”
The team set up and the whistle blew and we were off! We did not wait long to score. The ball was played down the right to Martha who was in the circle who pushed it into the goal with a final reassuring tap in from Fern. The second goal came from Christabelle Pratt after just seven minutes. Galashiels have played the whole time this season without a goalkeeper and we used this to our advantage. However, despite having a 2-0 lead, Gala regained some control and were soon rewarded with a goal.
Just before half time, the Kilgraston girls got a penalty corner which was hit to our Captain, Lexie MacMillan, who passed it to Martha who pushed it past a number of defenders to find the back of the goal. We still weren’t done, 30 seconds before half time, Martha scored again, hitting the ball from the top of the circle making it 4-1 to Kilgraston going into the second half.
In the second half of the game, Fern got a diagonal pass down the right from Lexie which she dribbled into the circle under pressure from two defenders and fired it into the bottom left of the goal. Due to some violent play from Gala, they were given a green card and forced to sit out for two minutes which was soon followed by another card for Gala which resulted in us being rewarded with a penalty flick. Lexie took the flick and shot a composed ball into the left hand side of the goal to make the final score 6-1.
Despite not playing with a goalkeeper, Galashiels pushed us all very hard and made some dangerous attacking play which was very well defended and cleared by our players at the back. In the build up to the final we have been working hard on our attacking play practicing the forward leads and getting outcomes in the circle and it was great to see our work in action!
It was a brilliant way to end our journey within the Scottish Cup and we are all incredibly proud to bring back the Challenge Plate for Kilgraston!
Thanks also to those who watched the game on Watch.Hockey which is still available to watch back if anyone would like to watch here.
Unfortunately it was one of the last games for some of our U6 players including captain, Lexie Maxmillan, vice captain, Christabelle Pratt and Jeanie Stirling but it was a great way to end their school hockey career and we all wish them the very best for after school.
By Martha (L6)
Watch the Scottish Hockey post match interview below with captain, Lexie, and Martha
Kilgraston Senior Invitational tournament 2023
Following the success of Friday’s Scottish Challenge Plate win, our Senior XI were busy again at the Kilgraston Invitational Senior tournament. We were delighted to invite three Junior players who are part of our Hockey Academy programme in Upper Four and Lower Fifth to gain experience of this annual event and help prepare them for forthcoming Under 16 and Under 14 Midland trials.
Charlotte, Natasha, and Willow did not disappoint, and all played a crucial part in winning the group stage of the tournament. The schedule saw all three finals (5th v 6th, 3rd v 4th and 1st v 2nd) all go to running penalties; testament to the excellent standard of play on display.
Our final against Strathallan school was no exception with the final score one goal apiece after a great goal from Lexie. After three running penalties from Fern, Martha and Lexie which resulted in another (some amazing saves from Goalkeeper Lower Fifth Academy player Melissa S too!) it moved onto sudden death!
Such a close final, but eventually Kilgraston scored a silver medal place. Our opposition teams named Lexie as their player of the match and the player of the day went to Melissa S who has stepped into the 1st XI team halfway through the season following an injury in the squad. Such an exciting group of players who can’t wait until next season!
Well done and thank you to all involved.
Mrs Ferry, Head of PE
Scottish Hockey - Lexie plays for Scotland Emerging Squad
Kilgraston has strong heritage of pupils playing for Scottish Hockey squads and recently Upper Sixth’s Lexie has been selected to play for the Scotland Emerging squad in the 8-Nations event in Spain.
The team, who have been playing in 35 degree heat, have had mixed results including losses against Belgium, England, Germany and Ireland but celebrated a win against Austria in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.
The tournament has seen Lexie and the Emerging squad playing against some of the top teams in Europe in very difficult conditions with players working really hard and giving it their all.
Kilgraston Hockey XI team wins
Kilgraston Hockey XI is celebrating two momentous trophy wins in two days. In a nail-biting final on Friday, the team scooped the Scottish Hockey Aspire Girls Cup winning 3-2 on penalties against Selkirk High.
Huge crowds came to the Senior Schools’ Cup final at Peffermill and at half-time the score-line remained at 0-0 despite the best efforts of both sides with Selkirk and then Kilgraston being denied a goal by the superb skills of the goalkeepers.
Into the second half and Selkirk took the lead however, Kilgraston were quick to response with Upper Fifth’s Flora equalising. Kilgraston were spurred on but were denied a goal but some great goalkeeping and a near post save.
With no more goals, the game went to running penalties. In a tense shoot-out, Kilgraston took the lead, with Selkirk equalising. Selkirk were then denied a point after Kilgraston scored a second penalty, then both sides scored giving Kilgraston a 3-2 lead. Both goalkeepers saved their last two penalties, giving Kilgraston a 3-2 victory to claim the trophy in style. What an outstanding achievement for the team.
After a heroes’ welcome back to school and barely time to pause for breath, the team were back out on Saturday for the Kilgraston Senior School Hockey Invitational.
Playing schools including St George’s, Strathallan and Robert Gordon’s College, Kilgraston won or drew all their initial matches and conceded no goals. The team then took on High School of Dundee in a make-or-break final which Kilgraston won 1- 0 to be crowned the tournament winners and add another trophy to their collection in just 24 hours.
Hockey XI captain and the team’s goalkeeper, Upper Sixth’s Tallie, part of the Scottish Hockey Brave Aspiring development squad, said: “The team has worked so incredibly hard this season but winning the Aspire Girls’ Cup and then the Kilgraston Senior School Hockey Invitational makes all the early morning training, sessions in the rain and dark nights worthwhile. “When it came down to penalties at the Scottish Hockey Aspire Cup, we had to stay strong and focused. It was not just physically exhausting but mentally exhausting too. But when I saved the penalty we couldn’t believe it.”
Vice-captain Upper Sixth’s Poppy, who plays Forward, added: “Winning the Kilgraston Scottish Schools Invitational was amazing and we knew we had to beat High School of Dundee in our last match to win. But we all believed in ourselves and our team; we knew we could do it and our coaches, Mr Stott and Miss Patton have been so committed to us and trained us so hard we are really grateful to them both.”
Photographs: David McCarthy
Kilgraston Hockey Invitational 2022
It was a beautiful sunny day as the 13 teams from around Scotland took to the hockey pitches for the Under 13 and Under 11 Kilgraston Hockey Invitational.
We welcomed around 170 girls from eight different Scottish Prep schools, the first time we have been able to host this event since the pandemic in 2019 and the teams’ enthusiasm showed.
The excitement was palpable during the semi-finals and finals, particularly when the teams had to go to sudden death penalty shoot-out.
Well done to St Mary’s for their first place in the Under 11 category and to Edinburgh Academy for their first place in the Under 13 category and thank you to all the teams, staff and parents who took part and came to watch. We look forward to next year. Read more about sport at Kilgraston including our Hockey Academy.
National squad hockey success for Kilgraston pupil
Lower Sixth’s Lexie has had a phenomenal summer playing for Scotland under 17 squad, winning three caps in a matter of months. Lexie, who has been playing hockey for seven years, plays for a number of hockey squads including Perthshire’s First XI team.
She said: “This year has been a great year for my hockey. I started of going to trial out for a regional team called Dundee Devils. I was really thankful to be selected for this and I was made captain of the team.
“Then, at the start of the summer holidays, I was scouted to play for Scotland and over summer I played for Scotland against England in Leeds, then again for Scotland against Wales where I scored two goals at the School Games. At the end of the holidays, Scotland played in a tournament called Futures cup in St Albans, near London and we won the bronze medal and that meant I won my third cap for Scotland all in the space of a few months.”
But when it comes to sport, Lexis does not just shine at hockey, she also has superb tennis skills and has also played District netball. She said: “I play tennis for my club and have played for north of Scotland.
“The tennis facilities at Kilgraston are amazing with two different types of courts and a very hard working and dedicated coach. Last year I also played netball for Perth and District but I struggled to fit everything in so I had to drop netball at this level but I’m looking forward to playing for the school.”
In the future Lexie would like to continue to her sport. She said: “I would like to go to university and do something sport related but I’m not quite sure at the moment. The school have wonderful facilities to accommodate hockey, from our all-weather pitch to the gym in the PE department and the hockey coaches initially with Mrs Stott and now with Mr Stott, have all helped me on this journey.”
Amazing work Lexie, we are all so proud of you.
Kilgraston alumnae presentation - Emily Dark
We always love to hear from Kilgraston alumnae and recently, Kilgraston was delighted to welcome back (virtually), Emily Dark.
Emily graduated from Kilgraston in 2017 and is now studying physics at St Andrews University. She has also played for Scotland and one to keep an eye on for the GB squad in future years.
In her talk to pupils, Emily chartered her hockey career from when she started playing at Kilgraston at the age of eight through to being Scotland’s youngest ever capped female player, to now, when she is training as part of the GB Elite Development Programme (EDP).
Emily, who plays all positions and in 2019 competed at the Senior European Championships in Glasgow 2019 where Scotland won gold and Emily won under 21 player of the tournament, also discussed how she’s dealt with set backs and how she has a mental attitude to never give up.
Thanks to Emily for a wonderful session. You can read more about Emily’s numerous successes here.
Former pupil to train with senior Great Britain hockey squad
Former Kilgraston pupil Emily Dark is to train with the senior Great Britain hockey squad. Emily, who graduated from Kilgraston in 2018, said: “It has been an ambition of mine to play for GB for so many years, so to be offered this opportunity to train with them for the next three weeks is unbelievable.
“I am incredibly excited to get started, not only for high-quality hockey, but to meet everyone too. This is a big opportunity for me to show what I can bring to the game and I want to embrace it and have fun.”
Emily, who is now studying Physics at St Andrews University, was selected for the GB Elite Development Programme (EDP) in 2018, and the opportunity to train with the GB women’s team presents an excellent opportunity to develop, and impress, at the top level.
It has been an outstanding few years for Emily, with her representing Scotland at international level winning her 23 senior caps. Her international career has also seen her be part of the team which won gold at the EuroHockey Championship II in 2019 with Emily winning Young Player of the Tournament.
Speaking on the Scottish Hockey website, Emily said: “Winning gold with Scotland at the home Europeans last year has definitely been a highlight for me, and I loved working with the team before and during the tournament to make sure we were in the best position possible to perform at our best.”
Commenting on Emily’s achievements, Kilgraston’s Headmistress, Mrs Dorothy MacGinty said: “We have watched Emily’s progress through the ranks with great interest and enthusias, and watching her move on to this next, very demanding, level of the game is hugely exciting for all the staff and pupils here at Kilgraston. We wish her every success with the future and will be following her progress very closely!”
Image by Mark Pugh