U16/17 Hampshire DC Match Day: A Spectacular Finale
Today, Sunday, July 14, marked the exciting conclusion of the 2024 Hampshire Development Centres (DC) with the U16/17 match day. As promised in last week's article, the day was filled with thrilling hockey, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of our young players.
Boys' Matches in the Morning
The day kicked off with the U16/17 boys' matches. The North region impressively fielded three teams, while the South East and South West regions each had one team. Due to the limited availability of goalkeepers—only four for the entire boys' match day—these goalkeepers had to play every game, ensuring that each team had the essential defensive support on the field.
Given the imbalance in the number of teams, the league results were determined by a percentage calculation. This method took into account the number of games won and drawn relative to the total games played by each region, with greater weight given to wins. Here’s how the standings shaped up:
- 1st Place: North Hants with 61.1%
- 2nd Place: South East with 33.3%
- 3rd Place: South West with 16.6%
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The boys showcased phenomenal skill and teamwork, making the morning sessions a great success.
Girls' Matches in the Afternoon
After a spirited morning, it was the U16/17 girls' turn to take the field. The North region managed to field two teams, while the South East and South West each brought one team. Despite a few players being unavailable, resulting in minimal or no substitutes, the girls displayed remarkable endurance and skill, playing extended matches to ensure everyone got ample time on the pitch.
The girls’ matches were intense, with scores reflecting tightly contested games. Here are the final standings:
- 1st Place: North with 61.1%
- 2nd Place: South West with 55.5% (winning one and drawing two games)
- 3rd Place: South East (despite losing all three games, their performance was commendable and often dominated the play, but they were unlucky in the deciding shuffles which replaced penalty corners today)
A Day of Gratitude and Celebration
We are incredibly grateful to South Central Hockey Officiating for providing the umpires, ensuring the games were officiated fairly and professionally. Their contribution was crucial to the smooth running of the match day.
This match day not only marked the end of the U16/17 events but also concluded the 2024 Hampshire Development Centres. It’s been an incredible journey, and none of it would have been possible without the dedication of our coaches, the enthusiasm of our players, and the unwavering support of parents, guardians, and family members.
As we celebrate the conclusion of another successful season, we look forward to many more moments of joy, growth, and achievement in the future. Thank you to everyone who made this season memorable. Let's continue to support and inspire our young athletes as they develop and shine in the world of hockey.
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