Bedford Girls’ School and Bedford Hockey Club have announced a new partnership for the 2026/27 season, building upon its sporting heritage, championing sport for girls and widening opportunities for all girls to continue playing hockey at club level.
The partnership builds on a long-standing relationship between the school and the club, creating further opportunities for BGS students to engage with hockey in the local community through playing, volunteering, umpiring and supporting junior and county events.
The connection is already clear across Bedford Hockey Club. Last season, the Club’s East Premier-winning Ladies 1st XI squad included four BGS students, a member of staff and five alumnae, reflecting the role the Club plays in supporting girls and women to remain involved in hockey beyond their school years.
During the season, BGS and Bedford Hockey Club will work together to support junior and county hockey events, helping young players to develop their skills, build confidence and enjoy the friendships and sense of belonging that come through club sport. The partnership also supports the Club’s Ladies 1st XI as it pursues sustained National League hockey.
Kate Costin, Ladies Club Captain at Bedford Hockey Club, said: “The connection between Bedford Hockey Club and Bedford Girls’ School goes back many years, and this partnership marks an exciting new chapter for both organisations.
“For us, this is about far more than branding. Last season’s East Premier-winning squad included four BGS students, a member of staff and five alumnae, a true reflection of just how connected our two communities already are. This new partnership will enable us to professionalise our training set-up further as we pursue our vision of sustained National League hockey at Bedford. Above all, it strengthens a genuine pathway for girls at BGS: a place to develop, compete and belong to the BHC hockey family throughout their school years and beyond.”
Mrs Mason-McLeod, Director of Sport at Bedford Girls’ School, added: “At BGS, we are passionate about creating opportunities for girls to soar through sport. Hockey is a wonderful sport and our close relationship with Bedford Hockey Club highlights the importance we place on encouraging girls and young women to be involved in a thriving local sporting community.
“We actively support students who play club hockey, including through a tailored match-day programme enabling them to represent both BGS and their club wherever possible. It is wonderful to see current BGS students, staff and alumnae involved with the Club across different teams and age groups.
“Having been part of Bedford Hockey Club for more than 25 years, first as a player and now as Director of Sport at BGS, I have seen the friendships, belonging and lifelong love of sport that club hockey can create. This partnership is about more than hockey; it is about championing girls and women in sport and helping them stay connected to it for life.”
