Eight boys from East Lothian Hockey Development squad make the South squad in Interdistrict tournament
Last year at the annual U14 Boys Interdistrict Tournament, East Lothian Hockey Development Officer Fiona Harfield and Borders Development Officer Janet Jack joined forces to make a new squad called Borders East Lothian, BEL. This year the squad had to fall under a recognised district so was renamed South. The whole squad accepted this and wore their kit with pride at the biggest U14 tournament in Scotland.
Eight boys from Dunbar Junior Hockey Club and Fidra Lions who also train with the development squad and some with the performance squad, PAIS, were selected to represent South along with eight boys from Borders. For some it was their first time playing on centre stage at the Commonwealth Games pitches at Glasgow Green. It was a fantastic experience for them and they played brilliantly. Their first game was against one of the strongest squads at the tournament, East. The boys put up a great fight and although they lost 3 - 0 they played with such passion and sportsmanship. Last year East beat them 8 - 0 so this was a tremendous improvement for the new squad. Their second game was against North who they beat 2 - 0. Daniel Collin from Dunbar Junior Hockey Club scored one of the goals. He took on the North keeper himself and hit the ball passed him with ease.
Their last game was against West, the current champions. South entered it with a little trepidation but with enormous grit and determination. They lost 3 - 0 but the boys played their hearts out and the coaches had nothing but pride for them. All their hard work meant that they were in the semi-finals against Midland. Another very hard team. The boys were tired though and lost the game but walked off the pitch for the last time feeling exhausted and immensely satisfied with their performances, which they had every right to be. They did the district, East Lothian and themselves very proud indeed.
