‘Hockey Festival Inspires Future Star’ - News - Plymouth SSP

‘Hockey Festival Inspires Future Star’

The 9th Primary Mixed Hockey Festival held at UCP Marjon was hailed a big success by the tournament organiser Jamie Oxley with Widey Court claiming the OPM Cup. Sport Development Manager for the 2012 Legacy RELAYS project at UCP Marjon said “nine years since I set up the festival and the standard of hockey and umpiring continues to amaze me.  It is a great event and demonstrates the continued growth and standard of the sport in the city”.  58 teams from 49 schools from Plymouth and surrounding villages competed in the 2 day event. Alongside the tournament the players also received coaching from Olympian Calum Giles helping them improve, while trying to score as many points in the skills challenge competitions.

Oxley praised the team of volunteers from UCP Marjon, Ivybridge, DHS Boys, Plymstock, Coombe Dean, Ridgeway, St Boniface, Heles, Sir John Hunt & Stoke Damerel and the local clubs who all enabled the event to run so smoothly. All the young leaders, some as young as 12 were outstanding role models. Many of whom qualified as foundation umpires days before with the support of Devon Umpire President Paddy Porter, Julia Gill and Pete Hammond who all provided coaching during the tournament. National Development manager Jane Nockolds who has been to several Olympics  made a special visit to speak to all the umpires which inspired them all. Porter presented Nick Fennell 13 (DHS Boys & Plymouth Marjon) with the young umpire award for his overall performance umpiring with Ben Lock  (OPM & DHS Boys) in the final.

In an end to end cup final Widey Court edged out Holbeton 3-2,with Charlotte Bates (Widey)and Alfonso Salcines (Holbeton) receiving the top player awards presented by Calum Giles. Giles who represented GB 143 times stressed that determination and commitment is the key to achieving their dreams. Many of the players were selected to attend the annual primary centres of excellence which start this week to develop the talent witness at the event with Giles supporting the four week programme.

Results

OPM sponsored Cup 1st Widey Court, 2nd Holbeton, 3rd Oreston, 4th Bickleigh; Mixed Hockey Shield 1st Old Priory, 2nd Beechwood, 3rd Meavy, 4th Victoria Road, PGSOB sponsored Plate; 1st Horrabridge B, 2nd Goosewell, 3rd Mount Wise, 4th St Dominics.

PMHC Skills Competition; Team winners Holbeton; Boys 1st Oreston A, 2nd Compton A, 3rd Stoke, Holbeton & Woodfield, Girls 1st Widey Court, 2nd Horrabridge, 3rd Kelly A.

Fair Play winners  Elburton Primary.

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