After Covid disruptions last year, which closed the junior hockey season after just five games, there is a lot of enthusiasm among teams playing in this year’s Saturday morning competition at the Warkworth Showgrounds.
About 170 children are involved across three sections – Fun Sticks for four to six year olds; juniors (Years 2-4) and seniors (Years 5&6).
Mahurangi Junior Hockey Club president Michelle Brogan says the club focuses on creating an enjoyable and encouraging space for children to grow, with the hope of instilling a lifelong love for hockey.
She says at this level, it is more about participation and enjoyment than winning trophies. However, each team has a Player of the Day, who receives a certificate and a Charlie’s Ice Cream voucher, which is a sought-after award!
“At the end of the season, we also have a party prizegiving, with trophies for the winners of each junior and senior competitions,” she says.
There are about 30 children in Fun Sticks, which introduces young players to fundamentals of hockey including stick control, ball control, body positioning and basic skills. They are coached by three students from Mahurangi College.
The remaining 140 players compete in the school teams competition across the junior and senior grades. This year there are teams from Horizon, Kaipara Flats, Matakana, Snells Beach, Warkworth and Wellsford, as well as home-schooled children.
“We like to think that being part of any team sport you learn social skills, self-confidence is always a big one, teamwork, sportsmanship and making new friends,” Brogan says. “You don’t have to be the best player; you just need to give it a go. We hope that every child leaves with a smile on their face.”
She says the club is grateful to Alexandra Parish and Rhys Joule who look after and train the umpires.
“The umpires are brilliant, and it is lovely to see them grow in confidence over the course of the season, as with all our hockey players. Equally, I am grateful to all the parent volunteers who see us through our season.”
However, the club is always keen to recruit volunteers to coach individual teams and umpire, as well as committee members.
“We also wouldn’t say no to sponsorship for individual schools.”
The club can be contacted at: www.mahujuniorhockey.co.nz or info@mahujuniorhockey.co.nz
