The Emmanuel Schools Foundation Proudly Presents...

The Pumas!

The ESF Lions have been a roaring success for the past 5 years, taking on the greatest rugby playing schools in Scotland. With the knowledge that playing for the Lions is a massive honour and privilege, the best rugby players from within the ESF fight hard to earn their place on the Lions team.

But what about the girls?

After months of preparation and training, the ESF is now proud to present its girls hockey team, the Pumas. For many years to come, the most talented hockey playing girls from each of the ESF schools will now have the honour and privilege of not only representing their school but the ESF as a whole. Kelsie Thornton (Trinity Academy) says, "I loved playing for the Pumas;  I was proud to represent our schools."

This October the Pumas leapt into action, with five matches in three days. The Pumas took on some of the best hockey playing schools in the Lake District (Appleby Grammar School, Keswick School, Kirkby Stephen Grammar School, Nelson Tomlinson School and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School). The girls from these schools have been playing hockey from an early age, have trained together for many years and some were older than the Pumas. Having only ever played once together before, the Pumas certainly had a challenge on their hands.

In their five matches the Pumas fought hard, though sadly they did not manage to secure a victory. It would have been easy for them to give up, however these girls were determined to do their best so they never did. In true cat-like style, the Pumas pounced onto the pitch each day with remarkable determination and perseverance. Star performances from Jessica Kelly (Bede Academy), Devon Grimes (Trinity Academy), Leigh-Anne French (The Kings Academy) and Laura Denton (Emmanuel College) were among the many highlights of the tour. Commenting on the girls' remarkable improvement in the three days away, Miss Rhodes (Head Coach) says, "There is no doubt that these girls have set a high standard for the years to come."

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