Ryde players represent in City Vs. Country tournament
The first weekend in March saw Tamworth’s Hockey Complex
host the infamous battle of supremacy between City and Country teenage girls
and boys.
Olympians of tomorrow may have black and white
stripes, if the city and country clash gives any indication, with a huge
contingent from local club Ryde Hunters Hill Hockey making their impression..
The first weekend in March saw Tamworth’s Hockey Complex host the infamous
battle of supremacy between City and Country teenage girls and boys. Ryde Hunters Hill Juniors President Cecilia Blamey was there to support her
daughter Morgan and the 13 players from Ryde Hunters Hill Hockey Club that were
at the tournament this year. “It was a fantastic opportunity for our city players to head to the
country and catch up with our hockey friends from the country”, she said,
“In addition, Hockey NSW provided all competitors with a great opportunity
to advance their hockey skills with highly qualified skills coaching from
Hockey NSW coaches.”
The youngest age was the under 13s. NSW Hockey CEO Tony Mestrov said during
presentations “in 13s, it’s all about participation and getting better as
players. ” The only boy in this age group from Ryde was Eden Bradford, who reflected,
“I thought the comp. went well & the skills we learnt at the
development sessions were invaluable and contributed well to the game
situations.” The city team went well but didn’t manage to win any of
the two games, with country winning 7-1 and then again 3-0; a sharp improvement
from first game to second. “All in all, it was a great experience”,
says Eden.
Ryde men’s coach and 13 boys city team coach Scott Morrison added, ”
it’s a great chance in the mini games prior to the main games for the kids to
have an “expression session”, where they can try out some of their
newly learnt skills like aerial drags in a pressure free environment.
City 13 girls won both games (2-0, 3-2) and were represented by Haley Buckley
and Karla Nicholl. “Getting to work with different people and having
fun as a team are highlights of the country city game”, says Karla.
Hayley added, “learning new skills, hanging out with teammates
& making new friends” were the highs of her weekend. The girls
Coach Andrew Davy added “they improved over the weekend and Karla was
versatile. Hayley proved her toughness too even though she was struggling with
her knee injury throughout. Kate Jenna Austrlian women’s hockey player
and Tamworth local presented certificates and awards to these developing
players.
The 15 boys had some close games, but eventually won their side of the derby.
According to former Kookaburra Darren Bannerman,
who played centre forward for Australia and coached Ryde’s first grade men’s
team in 2012, (and also had son Matt playing) “Matt Calleja played solid
hockey in the middle and made some good passes, Varun George did a good job in
the backs and Tim Brand scored a goal on Saturday.” Final game scores were
5 country 4 city, and 4 city – 2 country. Matt Calleja recapped some
highs of the tournament. “The high standard of play, being able to catch
up with mates from all over the state, being exposed to different coaching
techniques and of course taking out the tournament. The low was that city were
not able to win the overall championship. All in all it was an enjoyable weekend.
”
U15 girls City team won 3-2 saturday and then lost Sunday’s 4 – 2. Morgan
Blamey, who has been to 3 such tournaments, says “it was great to meet up
with friends from the country once again. These friendships will last
forever”, she remarked. The under 15 girls only lost the tournament by one
goal so really a great weekend all round.
U17 Boy lost to the country team on Saturday 1-4 but tied 4
all on Sunday. Ben Campey, Adrian Rochester represented Ryde,
whilst in the 15 girls BrittanyMorrison
and Aisling Klimoski tried unsuccessfully to win against country, losing both
games 0-5 and 2-3. Brittany reflected“Our
team came together well by the 2nd game however Country were just
too strong for us. Most of all I enjoyed catching up with all my hockey playing
friends from around NSW. I am sad as this is my last City Vs Country challenge
and those times I have represented in City teams are highlights of my hockey
playing career.â€
“It was a hard contest as always”, Cecilia
concluded”, “but played in fantastic spirit. And Ryde have plans to
better this number for 2014”. Ryde Hockey will field 14 junior teams
in 2013 and no doubt many Hockey stars amongst them. And it’s not too late to
register. Go to www.rydehockey.com.au for more
information. And maybe you could play for Australia!
PHOTO:
Left to right back row: Lachlan McKay, Matt Calleja, Tim Brand, Matt
Bannerman, Ben Campey, Adrian Rochester
Left to right front row: Varun George, Eden Bradford,
Brittany Morrison, Morgan Blamey, Aisling Klimoski, Hayley Buckley
and Karla Nicholl
