LANGLEY Park Boys hockey team has announced a South American tour a first for any English school.

The Beckenham-based school on South Eden Park Road has become one of the best hockey centres in the country after the under-16s won the national title last year as well as eight Kent cups since 2001.

But the goal of claiming the under-18 title fell short last season following a narrow 6-5 defeat to Millfield School of Somerset.

Despite the defeat Langley Park boast international under-18 success having beaten Wales 6-1 and England 5-1 as well as winning 2-1 in a three match test series over the Czech Republic.

Langley Park have toured outside Europe three times travelling to South Africa in 2000 and 2004 and Australia in 2002.

The South American tour lasts four weeks and pits 14 to 18-year-olds against the Brazilian and Argentinean under-18s.

After the national final defeat to Millfield School head coach Sam Naismith said: "Loses and set-backs are good reminders of what it takes to be the best.

"Quality must now underpin all we do as we try to regain the number one position."

The team has adopted this mantra and have "quality know it, demand it, train it and never accept less" embroided on their kit.

In January the school begin their attempt to regain national champion status with teams competing in all three age categories.

Sponsor Furley and Baker, hockey specialists based in Beckenham, supports hockey in the area and has agreed to fund the first team.