About Millfield News
International hockey call-up for Millfield teacher
A Millfield teacher and hockey coach has come out of international retirement to captain the England indoor hockey team at the EuroHockey championships. Denise Marston-Smith, P.E. and Games teacher at Millfield Preparatory School, played for England in both indoor and outdoor disciplines and represented Great Britain at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, helping the team to an eighth-place finish. International retirement came during the 2003-04 season, but recently Miss Marston-Smith was persuaded to go back on her decision when she was asked to join the indoor squad for three test matches in Poland. She captained England for two of the games, and has been awarded the honour of leading her country at the championships in Denmark on the 20-22nd January.
"I obviously accepted the invite, out of the blue, as it was always and still is a pleasure to represent my country in a sport I have always been passionate about"
Miss Marston-Smith has represented England at under-16, 18 and 21 age groups, and played for Portishead and Clifton Ladies. Millfield helped to put her through teacher training at Crispin School and both Preparatory and Senior Millfield schools. She joined the Prep school teaching staff shortly after her international retirement, and currently balances her teaching commitments with playing for Premier League side Olton & West Warwickshire.
"This is possible due to the financial support from the club, who also allow me to travel to training every other week due to the distance and the nature of my job. I have also received great support from the P.E and Games department, especially when I am playing Premier National League on a Saturday."
Olton & West Warwickshire currently lie fourth in the table, with Denise fourth highest national league goal scorer.
Miss Marston-Smith has also enjoyed success as coach of Millfield Preparatory girls' hockey first team, who have qualified for the English Hockey Association nationals five years out of the six under Marston-Smith's leadership, making the top four on every occasion and winning the under-13 championship in 2008. They are hoping to add a second title in their seventh appearance this year.
Denise Marston-Smith (left) in action for Olton & West Warwickshire