An eager bunch of girls were awaiting me when I arrived at the Lyneham centre at 8.30am. Some had been there since 7.30 ready to kit up! Nerves were plenty as many of our team had never picked up a hockey stick before, let alone played against such strong opposition. The four teams we versed regularly play weekend hockey together so had a massive advantage over us. As a result, we were able to focus on winning qualities such as teamwork, effort, ability to have fun and good sportspersonship! We definitely won in those stakes. Actual results were as follows:
Game 1 : JPC vs Mackillop 0-1
Game 2: JPC vs Grammar 0-2
Game 3: JPC vs Merici 0-3
Game 4: JPC vs Daramalan 0-4
Merici won the year 9/10 division overall.
We definitely held our own, with the help and guidance of a few experienced players, Amy, Tara and Maddie; in fact, we surprised ourselves with our natural talent.
A massive thanks to Amy’s dad Brendan Duncan, also a hockey player, who helped out and umpired for us all day. Thanks also to the parents of the students who came to watch, support us and help us in our endeavours. Many thanks to Nic Whatman for organising the day and Maddie Harley for her assistance leading up to the day.
The JPC students were excellent ambassadors for the school, with exemplary behaviour and winning smiles. Many expressed interest in forming our own JPC field hockey team in 2017 and if this tournament is anything to go by, that is a definite possibility. Thanks to the 14 girls who participated: Brooklyn Curran, Madelyn Foster, Jasmine Kelley, Nicole Willis, Eloise Groeneveld, Claire Brooker, Emily Sajler, Tara Foster, Kayla Anderson, Abby Mitchell, Payton Askew, Madeleine D’Ambrosio, Stephanie Rock and Amy Duncan.
Annie Daley (Proud coach)