Making Waves as Radnor House Teacher Joins
Team GB Underwater Hockey Team
Radnor House Sevenoaks is proud to celebrate the incredible achievement of one of its own. Our talented Music Teacher Ms Wignall, has been selected to represent the Great Britain Elite Women’s Underwater Hockey Team, competing at the highest level of this unique and challenging sport.
A lifelong swimmer, she was first introduced to underwater hockey during her school days and was instantly hooked. What makes the sport particularly compelling, she explains, is the inability to communicate verbally during play, making team chemistry, player awareness, and non-verbal communication crucial to success in the pool.
Ms Wignall's recent selection for the GB Elite Women’s team came after a rigorous two-day training camp held over the Easter holidays, involving over eight hours of pool time, fitness testing, drills, and tactical gameplay. “I’m incredibly proud to have been selected alongside 11 other amazing athletes,” she commented.
Balancing elite sport with a full-time teaching career isn’t easy, but she embraces the challenge. “I love being a music teacher and working at Radnor,” she shared. “Finding the balance can be tough- it sometimes means fewer social outings or seeking out a gym while on holiday to maintain my fitness.”
Ms Wignall's training schedule is nothing short of intense, consisting of six cardio sessions per week, three strength training workouts, and regular underwater hockey games. It’s a demanding routine that requires both discipline and passion.
Representing Great Britain is a deeply personal honour. “I feel incredibly fortunate to be fit and healthy and to have the opportunity to compete at this level.” This summer, she will travel to Dordrecht in the Netherlands to compete in the 2025 World Championship Qualifier Tournament, an exciting step on the road to international competition. “Look out for Number 8!” she adds.
Ms Wignall's background in music and education has shaped her mindset as an athlete in meaningful ways. “There are so many similarities between music and sport - especially the teamwork. Being in a band requires the same level of collaboration and unity as being in any team sport. The dedication to practicing an instrument when I’d rather be spending time on other leisure activities, is as difficult as getting up early for the gym on a cold winter morning.”
To students trying to balance school, sport, and other passions, Ms Wignall advises “The price of winning isn’t higher than the price of regret.” Ms Wignall also encourages students to work hard even when it’s difficult, reminding them that effort today often pays off tomorrow. “Skipping training or not working hard in class might feel easier now, but it’s the missed chances that we regret most. Put in the work, ask for support when you need it, and be proud of the balance you’re building. That’s what winning really looks like.”
