From left: Teagan Cleanthous, Tahlia Rekunow, Katrina Rekunow, Ali McMillan, Emma Barwick, Britt Parker and Georgina Cleanthous.
SEVEN Hockey New England girls represented the North West region at the 2013 NSW Combined High Schools hockey titles recently played at Wyong on 21-23 May.
The aim of the squad was to finish in a higher position than they did last year, and they achieved this goal.
On day one they played title favourites South Coast and could not match the precise passing of the South Coast girls, North West going down 9-1.
They then had to play defending champions, Hunter, and in a good match, North West went down 5-1.
On day two the team played some great hockey.
North West played against the Kate Hollywood coached Sydney East, they had an Australian player in their team, Gretta Hayes, in the end deservedly finished winners 2-1. Brittany Parker, Katrina Rekunow and Emma Barwick were outstanding in this match.
North West then played Riverina, and this was the best match of the championships, the North West team victorious 3-1. Brittany Parker, Tahlia Rekunow led a great team performance and this win enabled the side to finish third in their pool.
On day three, they played off against North Coast for fifth or sixth place, which certainly beat last year’s 11th placing.
The North Coast match was an entertaining game of hockey. At full time it was three-all, then after five shots in the penalty shootout, it was still even. The game then went to golden goal penalty shootout, which North Coast won after the third shot at goal.
The seven Hockey New England players were Teagan and Georgina Cleanthous, Tahlia and Katrina Rekunow, Emma Barwick, Allison McMillan and Brittany Parker.
North West came sixth overall, and as a result of her outstanding on-field performances, Armidale High School student Brittany Parker was named in the NSW Combined High Schools’ team.
