The future of the World Peashooting Championship is in safe hands.
For four friends from Witchford Village College—Matthew Hill, Elliott Storey, Ryan Hummersone and Tobi Goldsack—what started as a fun day out became a day they’ll never forget.
Together, they became the 2026 Junior Team World Champions, giving their school one final victory before moving on to the next chapter of their lives.
The team came together thanks to Matthew, who has been part of the World Peashooting Championship for as long as he can remember.
“I asked everyone to come because we all go to the same school and we’re all friends. I’ve been coming to the World Peashooting Championship my whole life and I know how much fun it is.”
While it was the first championship for some members of the team, Matthew and Elliott had competed before, giving the team a little extra experience.
Asked to describe themselves in just three words, they chose:
Passionate. Fun. Confident.
Those three words summed up their approach perfectly as they worked their way through the competition to lift the Junior Team World Championship trophy.
“I felt very happy and proud,” said Matthew after their victory.
For the team, however, the championship was about much more than winning.
“The best part was having fun in the tournament and taking part in friendly competition.”
Like any successful team, they had a simple strategy.
“We all used a grip that felt stable for us and tried to get eye level with the target by standing on our tip-toes.”
Of course, every great team has its own personalities.
Matthew kept everyone calm under pressure, while Tobi Goldsack kept the team laughing throughout the day with his sense of humour.
The biggest surprise?
“The amount of people there.”
It’s a reminder that the World Peashooting Championship has become far more than a village event. Every year it brings together competitors, families and spectators from across the country to celebrate one of Britain’s most unique sporting traditions.
When asked what becoming Junior Team World Champions meant to them, Matthew gave an answer that perfectly captured the emotion of the day.
“It means a lot to us to say a final goodbye to Witchford, and giving them a win before we leave is a lovely way to go.”
It’s a fitting way for four friends to finish their time together at Witchford Village College—representing their school, making memories and becoming World Champions together.
Their advice to other schools is simple:
“Yes! It’s great fun.”
And when asked if they’ll be back to defend their title next year, the answer came without hesitation.
“Absolutely! I can’t wait for next year.”
Finally, we couldn’t resist asking one last question.
If they could challenge any team in the world to a peashooting match, who would it be?
Without hesitation, the answer came back:
“The England football squad!”
Now that would be a final worth watching.
As Matthew, Elliott, Ryan and Tobi prepare to leave Witchford Village College, they’ll take away far more than a World Championship trophy. They’ll take with them the memories of representing their school, competing alongside friends and discovering that one of Cambridgeshire’s quirkiest traditions is also one of its most welcoming.
If they’re anything to go by, the future of the World Peashooting Championship is incredibly bright.