Sunshine Hockey at Summer Festivals
Scottish Hockey’s Summer Festival season has started in style with two hugely successful youth tournaments. A total of 500 young players from across the country took part in these events in Dundee and Glasgow – both played in glorious sunshine!
National Junior Aspire Tournament
Since their launch last season, the Junior Aspire Tournaments have quickly become some of the most popular events in the Scottish Hockey calendar. Aimed predominantly at state school pupils in S1 and S2, teams play in separate boys’ and girls’ competitions in 8-a-side, half-pitch matches.
Following a series of regional tournaments during the season, teams from across the country gathered at Dalnacraig, Dundee on Friday 10 May for the National Junior Aspire Tournament. Schools from East, Midland, North and South Districts were represented at this event.
After 67 matches, three teams won their respective events: Grove Academy boys; McLaren High School girls; and Kinross High School girls. Most importantly, everyone had great fun and went home with a smile on their face!
Thank you to High School of Dundee for providing the pitches for this event; and to everyone who coached, umpired or supported their teams on the day.
U12 Mixed Festival
Two days later, on Sunday 12 May the U12 Mixed Festival was held at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre. 19 teams from clubs across the country met in a fun festival, playing 6-a-side matches.
There was a great atmosphere, with music playing and families supporting the young players. For most it was their first time visiting the national stadium … but many of them will surely be back there at cup finals or even playing for Scotland when they’re older!
Following 45 exciting matches, Grange Pumas edged out Watsonians Wildcats 3-2 in one final; and Kelso Meteors beat Grange Jaguars in the other.
But every player was a winner, as they took home their Scottish Hockey wristbands!
The clubs taking part were: Dundee Wanderers, Dunfermline Carnegie, Eskvale, Falkirk & Linlithgow, Grange, Hillhead, Kelburne, Kelso, Perthshire, Uddingston, Watsonians, Western Wildcats.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to such an enjoyable day.
Coming Soon
The youth competitions season continues this weekend with the U14 Inter-District Tournaments at Peffermill. In June, we have the U14 Cup Finals at Glasgow NHC; the U16 Girls Festival at Glenalmond; and the U16 District Festivals at Strathallan. And clubs across the country will be hosting their annual festivals. Let’s hope the sun keeps shining!
Recent posts:
- Western Wildcats men in EHL and Scottish Cup standout ties
- Western Wildcats men beaten in Europe but still lead the Premiership
- Scottish Hockey Awards details announced, and nominations open
- Wildcats at EHL and Premiership action at home
- Club Hub launched: Scottish Hockey’s new club affiliation support tool
- Goals aplenty in the men`s Premiership
- Watsonians are setting a pace in the men`s Premiership
- Glasgow University women provide the first big result of the season
- Watsonians top both Premiership tables
- More early points up for grabs in Premiership weekend two