Olympic Hockey Star Ellie Rayer Inspires Pupils at Highfield and Brookham
There was great excitement at independent school Highfield and Brookham as pupils welcomed Ellie Rayer, England and Team GB international hockey player.
The school, renowned for its passion for the sport, was thrilled to host the Olympic and Commonwealth medallist, who was part of the Tokyo 2020 squad that secured a Bronze Medal.
Ellie delivered an informal yet inspiring talk to girls in Years 7 and 8, sharing her sporting journey, from her early days as a track and field athlete to discovering that hockey was where her true passion lay. She spoke about progressing through the junior ranks before making her international debut in 2017 and described how her trademark pace on the pitch has since become her signature strength.
During the session, Ellie opened up about the highs and lows of life as an elite athlete, emphasising the importance of resilience, teamwork and self-belief. Pupils were eager to learn more, asking thoughtful questions about her training routine, why she chose hockey, how she maintains wellbeing, and when she might hear about selection for the 2028 Olympic squad. The girls felt incredibly fortunate to engage so closely with such an inspiring sporting role model.
The excitement continued on the school’s astro pitches, where Ellie joined the pupils for a training session and took part in fun warm-ups. The girls then put her expert tips into practice, making the most of the rare opportunity to learn directly from an Olympic athlete.
'We were truly overwhelmed by Ellie’s generosity in taking the time to visit us. It is definitely something we will all remember,' said Robert Grech, Year 5 Teacher and Head of Hockey.
Ellie added: '
When I’m not in training, I love visiting schools that champion hockey, so I was delighted to receive the invitation from Highfield and Brookham. It was amazing to spend time with the girls, I especially enjoyed being on the pitch and sharing some training tips.'
November 2025