Celebrating Sarah...

Newquay Hockey Club would like to send best of luck wishes to our very special Sarah Rendell, who is travelling up to Leicester this weekend after being shortlisted for a 2025-26 Season England Hockey Award!

She will attend as winner of West Hockey in her category ‘Outstanding School Engagement of the Year’ and will go up against other regions this Saturday evening at the EH Awards for the National Award.

Our nomination for her went a bit like this (below), BUT as well a the NHC nomination, we know she had many, many well deserved nominations from players, young and old, parents, teachers and other coaches.

“In four years, Sarah delivered exceptional school engagement transforming access to hockey across Newquay. Sarah introduced and embedded hockey in seven local primary schools, who previously had little or no exposure to hockey. Through consistent, inclusive delivery, she has built trusted relationships with schools, staff and pupils, ensuring hockey is accessible to children of all abilities and backgrounds.

Sarah has worked collaboratively with the local secondary school to establish the Newquay Primary Hockey Festival, providing a positive, welcoming introduction to competitive hockey for both new and developing players. This event has strengthened transition between primary and secondary education, encouraging continued participation beyond school sessions.

Despite significant challenges around limited and unsuitable facilities, Sarah adapts her coaching to ensure sessions remain safe, engaging and developmentally appropriate. Her work has directly increased confidence, participation and aspiration among pupils, many who have progressed into club hockey as a result of her school-based provision.

Through her passion, resilience and commitment, Sarah has changed perceptions of hockey in Newquay schools and created lasting, sustainable engagement. Her impact extends beyond participation figures; she has inspired a genuine love of the game among children, staff and families, leaving a meaningful legacy within the local school community.”

Those who know Sarah will never fully realise the true extent of what she actually does for junior hockey, our club, our local schools and the wider county (she just gets on with it), but we are sure everyone will agree, however you have come across her and her genuine loveliness and passion for the game, that this is a massively well deserved accolade for this amazing lady!

Good luck on Saturday Sarah, we are ALL rooting for you 🍀