Bede’s Beth gets U18 England Hockey call up

Bede’s 1st XI hockey captain Beth Giddings was last week invited to join the U18 England Hockey squad.
Beth GiddingsBeth Giddings
Beth Giddings

Beth, who lives in Chuckhatch near Forest Row and has boarded at Bede’s for five years, received her England call-up after taking part in the U18 Futures Cup during the half-term holiday, which saw regional sides from the North, Midlands, South East and South West square off in front of an array of coaches from England Hockey.

After receiving her invitational letter Beth said, “I’m really proud of myself and honestly can’t quite believe it.”

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First selected to play for Sussex at U15 level, Beth plays interchangeably as a Forward or Midfielder and has continued to represent the county ever since, taking part in Junior Regional Performance and High Performance Camps along the way while also playing for the recently-promoted East Grinstead Hockey Club at weekends.

Beth’s Housemistress in Crossways Jani Lambeth said of her, “Although Beth is an exceptional Hockey player, it is important to note that she is a high-achiever in every aspect of her life. Beth achieved straight A and A* grades at GCSE level and has a major leadership position within the student body as a Prefect and Head of House. Apart from that, she is a genuinely lovely person. She is a true role model and a credit to our School.”

Presently training for over 14 hours a week and a member of Bede’s elite Emerging Talent Programme, Beth is also currently studying for A Levels in Maths, Biology and Physical Education and is hoping to study Physiotherapy at the University of Southampton.

As she looks ahead to a series of England training camps in advance of the European Championships, during which the present U18 England squad of 34 will be whittled down to 26, Beth said of her successes, “My parents Kevin and Katie have done so much for me and I owe them a huge amount. Between them, my teachers at Bede’s and my Hockey coaches Ross Scott at East Grinstead and Bede’s Director of Hockey Kevin Johnson, I feel very fortunate to have so many amazing people supporting me.”

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