Young CHB teams take to the road
Young hockey players from Central Hawke’s Bay have been on the road recently, enjoying hockey festivals in Whanganui and Palmerston North and coming back with new skills and big smiles.
The CHB Allsorts Under 13 hockey team had a great weekend at the recent U13 Hockey Festival in Whanganui, facing some very tough competitors, but never losing spirit.
Coach Anna Oosterkamp says, “We had so many positive comments from other coaches, and were especially grateful for the support from the Taranaki crew on our final day.”
Whanganui Hockey Association pronounced the Allsorts the winner of the Team Photo, which meant the team received a McDonald’s meal, which was much appreciated by the players.
“Highlights from the weekend were obviously playing hockey, and learning so many new skills. To hear that our team showed the most development, among the 19 teams, over the three days was really awesome.
“All coaches were given a challenge by a leading coach, to give the players the whiteboard at halftime and let them do the talking. The boys just loved this, and really took ownership of their play. Taking part in an Amazing Race was a lot of fun, and really brought the team together,” says Anna.
“We are so grateful for the incredible support from families, our cheer squad was huge. Thank you to Brad Booth for some coaching tips before the tournament, and to Kimberley Booth for travelling to umpire some games.”
Coach Anna Oosterkamp and
To hear that our team showed the most development, among the 19 teams, over the three
days was really awesome. Anna Oosterkamp, CHB Allsorts Under 13 coach
manager Kath Keirsay they are extremely proud of all the boys, who represented CHB so well with their awesome attitudes, and great hard defence every game.
CHB also entered two teams in the Under 13 Girls Hockey Festival in Palmerston North last weekend. After a big lead up and commitment to training the Grenades and the Strikers were excited to take to the field and put all their skills into practice.
Both teams experienced a mixture of game results during the festival, never letting it deter their enthusiasm, though the wins on day three certainly boosted morale.
Team manager Charlotte Heald says “We were proud of the girls’ commitment, teamwork and most of all their sportsmanship over the three- day event.
“The girls were really one big team, even though we played as two. They had so much fun, and made lots of memories supporting each other’s games, ducking and diving under the turf sprinklers, playing in the esplanade and going out for dinner. “The Grenades won the Team Spirit award which was very exciting. The highlights included, their sponsored team hoodies, creating and performing their team chants on the final day, and getting creative for our team photo.”
The teams want to thank managers Lizzie Bell and Charlotte Heald, coaches Horiana Goldsmith and Russell Heald and referee Samantha Booth.
CHB Hockey Association and all three teams would like to thank Charlotte Heald Holistic Health Coach, Pamu, Backpaddock Lakes, Hermansen Contracting, Betta Electrical, Sam the Painter and Brandt for their sponsorship.