The 2017 season has been a building year for the First XI Girls Hockey team. We welcomed a number of new and younger players which saw five sets of sisters on the team. It was a year for developing as individuals and coming together as a group.

This was a challenging season, as it is every season. We had a number of injuries to players but we had our highlights and played some fantastic Hockey, including beating Christchurch Girls High School several times during the season and our last game against Villa Maria where we finished full time at a draw. Those performances reinforced the fact we were coming together as a group and we all trusted each other to do our jobs on the field. 

At the beginning of September we travelled to Dunedin to participate in the Audrey Timlin Tournament. For a number of the senior players we wanted to prove a point after the disappointment of being relegated from Marie Fry in 2016. We set a goal of finishing in the top 4. 

Tournament was a lot of fun and a great team bonding experience. We had a great first day where we came away with two wins against James Hargest and Otago Girls High School. Day Two we are up against St Hildas College. This game was to decide which team would finish top of our pool. We played with heart and left everything on the field but we couldn’t score the goals we needed and ended with a 1-1 draw. This meant we were placed second in our pool and would go head to head against STAC in the quarter finals. The quarter final was a tough battle, but unfortunately STAC were too strong and won the match 4-1. The physicality of the game took its toll with Julia breaking her finger and Neve and I with ligament damage. However, we managed to pull ourselves up for the next game against Craighead Diocese which we just managed to win, even with Julia and Neve both out injured. The win ensured we played off for 5th and 6th place at the tournament – just outside of our goal to make the top 4. The final game of the tournament was another tough battle. Every single player played with guts and determination but in the end we lost in golden goal in drop offs.

Despite the result, I am super proud of every player in our squad this season. Each person was a valuable asset to the team and each person brought a different dynamic to our group. I loved playing alongside all of you and more importantly getting to know you all and becoming great friends. Thank you to all my teammates for being amazing people and giving it your all.

Thank you to Scott for the time and dedication he has put into the season. It is a massive commitment coaching and we really appreciate what you have put into our team

Thank you to Mrs Moreno for being a fantastic manager, keeping us all in line and organised. I hope you had a great time and enjoyed being part of the team.

Thank you to all our supporters, especially our parents who were there every single week cheering us on. We are very grateful to have had your support all season.

Eveane Tuetue-Gray