HOCKEY Coffs Coast’s boys and girls under 12s representative sides have achieved outstanding results at a recent development tournament in Tamworth.
Competing against teams from across NSW and the ACT, the sides competed in the B divisions of the York Cup (boys) and the Kim Small Shield (girls), respectively placing third out of 24 and fourth out of 21.
Hockey Coffs Coast Junior Chair Ellie Winzer said the teams’ results exceeded all expectations.
“At the presentations concluding the tournament, our boys’ team was awarded the ‘Team Award’ for upholding the values of the tournament, respecting all players and umpires, and their focus on skill development and improvement,” Ellie said.
“This is an enormous acknowledgement for our team to be recognised out of the 60 teams entered for the weekend.
“To top off what was already a highly successful weekend, the leader of our boys’ team, Sonny Dent was awarded ‘Player of the Tournament’.
“This award has been previously received by current Australian hockey players.
“Sonny is a humble individual who didn’t believe he deserved the award but his tenacity, skill, team spirit and sportsmanship are outstanding and definitely deserve recognition.”
Ellie said the achievements came without playing regular hockey in 2025 and without having a field to train on, due to the turf replacement project at the Coffs Harbour hockey fields.
She said skill development sessions were currently taking place on local tennis courts.
Describing the results as “nothing short of phenomenal”, Ellie said many of the players had not played full field hockey before the two days of practice matches leading up to the Tamworth tournament.
By Mike HELY
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