Year
7/8 (Hatch Development) Boys Continue to Show Form at McGrath Tournament
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| by Glenys Bichan, Manager 30 September 2005 We went into McGrath undefeated... a great way to enter a major tournament. Grant and John had prepared the team really well, not only in increasing individual skill level and team game structure, but most importantly they developed a really positive culture that allowed the boys to be risk takers without recrimination. The boys ALL responded to this and have not only become better hockey players, they have also grown in individual confidence as young men. As parents and managers we are very thankful for the impact these coaches have had on our boys in a holistic way..Waikato Hockey will have a very positive long term spin off due to this I'm sure. Our first game was against North Harbour, we won 6-1. The we came up against the Bay...we dispatched them 11-0, with 3 new entries into the goal scoring record book ( in our season all but our goalie, a back and a half scored for us, we had 11 of our players score a goal over our 2.5 months...). We then faced Counties, the preseason game had been tough for us, and we were a little nervous....we got rid of them 8-3. Daniel scored on behalf of our team 5 goals... This meant we went through top of our table and against Tauranga in the Semis. Again we had only played them once pre season and had beaten them only 1-0. They quickly asserted dominance and went 3-0 up, our boys character was about to be tested. A few subs were made, our captain and co captain settled the boys, and we scored 2 quick goals, they scored another, and we got 2 more. The final whistle blew at 4-4. The boys showed that they had composure and guts..it was an awesome game. We won our stroke off 3-1. The nerves were shattered, the parents relieved, the kids excitedly subdued...... Then we came to final...against the red and blacks..Canterbury. They had oblivated everyone on their path with the staunch arrogance that only Canterbury has.... our Waikato boys were ready. It was 0-0 for about 20 minutes with lots of moving passing hockey. Canterbury then popped one in, this lifted them and they got another. 2-0. Our boys were amazed at the physical nature of the Canterbrians play, lots of body, lots of "presence" and lots of pressure. We stuck at it...there was no way the boys were going to curl up and die, you could see it in them. The self belief instilled in them by not only the coaches, but our "family" of supporters spurred them on. Still the Red and Blacks came on...they got another. 3-0. Our boys attacked, fought, determined, and totally in control of themselves.. they got one. 3-1...the bells RUNG...must never let the Cantabs forget where they were..in the NORTH Island. The fulltime whistle went, our boys losing a well fought, hard game of hockey with their heads held VERY high. An awesome game well won by the Canterbury team, who told us it was the hardest game they had played all year. (Pretty tough on the Waikato manager as well...a forever Canterbury supporter herself.... but NOT that day) So we bring back a runners up cup, we are very proud to say that the Hatch Development team also won the Northern Region Tournament. The boys won two bits of silver ware... for WHA to be proud off. On behalf of our team I want to say thanks to Denise for helping us out with all the admin/finance stuff, to JMB for supporting the concept on developing players in these Development squads, your investment will pay off... and mostly to Grant and John for achieving an awesome result on the field through the boys, and for creating an environment of personal growth and team success. To the boys heading off to Hatch A next year, you take with you a great experience, hold it tight and never let anyone take your confidence from you. To those of you heading to Under 15's enjoy the challenge it will bring, you know what you can do and who you are....again remember what you have learnt in this team, not only in terms of your hockey skills, but who you are as young men...then you will continue to succeed. Thanks to all Glenys Bichan Manager |