Hockey girls set hot pace
The Tawa College girls’ first XI hockey team is back into the premier 1 grade for the first time in eight years.
The girls have had a solid season, losing just two games.
One was a 4-1 defeat by Wellington Girls’ College in the first promotion-relegation game, but Tawa rebounded quickly in their second bite.
On June 13, Tawa scored in the first half against Sacred Heart at the National Hockey Stadium in Wellington and hung on for the win to earn promotion.
‘‘What we’d achieved didn’t hit us straight away, but it’s sinking in now,’’ captain Sophie BiltonBurdon said.
‘‘It will be a step up, but we’re ready. It will really help us prepare for nationals in September.’’
Sophie said the team’s strengths lay in having an excellent defensive line and goalkeeper in Aimee Price and a tough spine in the middle of the park.
Team unity and goal- setting were also reasons for Tawa’s success, she said.
Aimee Price said premier 1 hockey would be stronger and faster, but Tawa were looking to do more than just stay up.
‘‘The skill level is higher and it’s a good chance to learn from these other teams,’’ she said.
The near future bodes well for girls’ hockey at Tawa, because only three players are leaving school at the end of the year.