Year Eight Pupil Selected for UK Lions Hockey Team
Year Eight pupil Harrison Pritchard has been selected for the prestigious UK Lions Hockey team, following an impressive performance at a high-level regional tournament held at Nottingham Hockey Centre over the weekend of 21 June. Representing the Mercian Marauders, a Midlands regional team, Harrison’s selection came at the end of a competitive weekend that saw his team reach the semi-finals before narrowly losing to a team from the South. His inclusion in the UK Lions squad is a remarkable achievement, reflecting his skill, determination and dedication to the sport.
The UK Lions is made up of the most promising Under 13 players from across the country, identified specifically through performances at this tournament. While not part of the official England Hockey Pathway—representative honours at this age group do not exist—it is nonetheless considered a significant marker of potential and ability, and many current England and Great Britain players began their journey with the UK Lions.
Harrison’s road to selection began long before the tournament itself, having attended three rounds of trials to secure a place on the Mercian Marauders squad. In the lead-up to the competition, he completed five full days of training, including a day of fixtures in Yorkshire at Ben Rhydding Hockey Club. His selection was confirmed in the form of a letter handed to him at the end of the tournament weekend—an exciting and well-earned reward.
As part of the UK Lions programme, Harrison will take part in a range of elite-level training and competitive opportunities over the next year. These include a series of day and residential camps, warm weather training in Malaga, an indoor Hockey camp, an Easter tour to Rotterdam or Rome, and a final competition in Ulster.
Outside of school, Harrison plays for Stourport Hockey Club, where he has competed since the Under 10 age group. He was part of the team that became National U12 runners-up and now plays men’s Hockey, embracing the challenge of playing against stronger and more experienced opposition. A talented all-round sportsman, Harrison also recently received an invitation to join the national UR7s Rugby Academy, which he turned down in order to focus on his Hockey. He has also played Football for Kidderminster Harriers for several years, but has now made the decision to fully commit to his Hockey ambitions. He continues to enjoy representing RGS in all sports.
Reflecting on his selection, Harrison said, “I am really excited about being part of the UK Lions Team. Playing for England is something I dream of doing and I know that a number of England and GB players have started here. It’ll be great to be training and playing with the best players across the country and getting to go on tours to Malaga and Rotterdam are really exciting.”
We look forward to following Harrison’s journey with the UK Lions over the next year and celebrating everything he goes on to achieve.
