Felsted’s hockey girls were coached by three Great Britain internationals last week.

Laura Unsworth, Emily Maguire and goalkeeper Kirsty Mackay, who have European gold and Olympic bronze medals between them, visited the school.

Unsworth treated the girls to a skills session that focused on reverse stick shots at goal and reverse stick dink passes.

Year 9 pupil, Antonia Gilham said: “Playing hockey with someone of Laura Unsworth’s experience was amazing and watching her skills was really inspirational.”

Meanwhile, the Felsted goalkeepers were taken for a specialist training by Mackay, where they focussed on technique for better clearances and reaction saves.

Felsted School’s Loren Sherer, director of girls’ hockey, added: “It was a fantastic opportunity for the Felsted girls to be coached by three members of the current Great Britain squad.

“The session was great fun for all those involved and we wish Laura, Emily and Kirsty all the best in the lead up to Rio 2016.”

These skills aim to help the girls build on their past successes, which include the U14 girls’ hockey team being crowned Essex Champions last year and the U16 team claiming the Essex runners-up title.

Many Felsted girls play for local hockey clubs, their county and region in addition to school hockey, and experiences like this will only inspire them to continue on their England hockey pathway to perhaps play for their country one day.