Benalla kids represent GVHA in Junior Country Championships

Mums, Dads, younger siblings and grandparents were coached by Benalla’s youngest hockey players, in a showcase of junior hockey skills.

The kids all enjoyed running rings around the adults, with the yellow team winning by two goals.

Presentations followed, with all players celebrating their achievements together.

“The best thing about hockey is having fun. Oh, and playing the game!” William Keen said.

“We’ve had great fun tonight! The kids now transition to Stick 2 Hockey which teaches game play through fun games like Zone Hockey,” junior coach Lee Manning said.

“New players are still welcome – come along on a Thursday afternoon and check us out!”

Hockey Victoria Junior Country Championships:

Benalla’s juniors proudly played in Goulburn Valley Hockey Association representative teams for the Hockey Victoria Junior Country Championships (JCC) in Melbourne during the weekend.

The JCC allows the juniors to form friendships within the local association and build on their skills and fitness over a weekend of six round-robin styled games against other country associations.

Zac Fennell, Xavier Watson and Angus Woodward competed with the GV Under-13 boys in Essendon.

The team started the competition getting to know one another and building on teamwork with a nil-all draw against Ballarat and 2-nil loss to Albury Wodonga.

The team held their ground during the third game only conceding a goal in the final 10 seconds to go down 1-nil to Glenelg.

Liam Gillies scored their first goal in a well-fought game of the championship in their fourth and final game of the day going down to North Central 2-1.

Day two of play saw the Under-13 boys building on their experience as a team winning 2-nil against East Gippsland and 3-2 against Sunraysia.

While the team was not successful in making it to the finals, they all had a fantastic weekend by all accounts.

GV Under-15 girls Amber Armstrong and Jacinta Woodward played in Greensborough, with Madeline Watson as goalie.

The team's first game against Glenelg was hard fought going down 3-nil.

The team continued to develop during its next two games on Saturday, however, could not score against Central Vic, 2-nil and North Central 5-nil.

On the second day of play the team rallied together and found their form scoring against Sunraysia for a 1-4 loss.

The girls couldn’t convert their hard work against Albury-Wodonga going down 4-nil.

The team ended the final day on a high coming together to win their last game of the championship against Warrnambool 2-1.

Alex Dowe competed in the GV Under-18 boys team in Footscray, scoring the first goal out of a penalty corner.

He played hard in four games and umpired.

The boys drew against Ballarat and North Central, lost their early games to Sunraysia, Albury-Wodonga and Central Victoria and won their final game against East Gippsland on Sunday.

Well done to all the players, coaches, managers and parents for a fantastic weekend of junior hockey!

GVHA games this Saturday 22nd May:

10am U12 Benalla vs SYC

11.15am U14 SYC/Benalla vs Strikers

12.30pm U17 Mooroopna/Benalla vs SYC/Strikers

2.00pm B Women Benalla vs Strikers

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