OVER 120 people crammed into Llanfoist Village Hall in June for the annual presentation evening for the junior section of Abergavenny Hockey Club.

With the number of junior players registered now numbering over 120, there is a lot of hockey going on and there was a lot to review for the coaches.

Junior section co-ordinator Sharon Phillips noted that the attendance at the presentation

evening was continuing to grow year on year and thanked the players, coaches and parents for

helping make the club be a fun place to be involved in.

It was also worth noting that some senior club players had come along to show their support, as had some ex-players who have moved on since their time playing junior hockey at Abergavenny.

The coach of each section reviewed the season, starting with the Under nine section and finishing with the U15 girls section. This season the club fielded competitive teams at U9, U11 Boys, U11 Girls, U13 Boys, U13 Girls and U15 Girls. Each coach awarded each player a medal to acknowledge their efforts this season, and then awarded engraved trophies to their chosen "Most Improved Player", "Coaches Star Player" and "Club Player" of the season.

Most improved players:

U9: James Pass, Mali Lewis-Price

U11 Boys: Tom Lane

U11 Girls: Phoebe Lewis

U13 Boys: Alex Kennett

U13 Girls: Anwen Roberts

U15 Girls: Francesca Cavalli

Coaches star player

U9 Hannah Nuttall

U11 Boys Archie Brock, Fred Brock

U11 Girls Nell Butler

U13 Boys Matthew Gilbertson, Oliver Gill

U13 Girls Ellen Johns

U15 Girls Elisabeth Smith

Player of the season

U9's Oisin Martin

U11 Boys Hollis McGlynn, Elis Mostyn

U11 Girls Laura Nuttall

U13 Boys Jacob Church

U13 Girls Natasha Morgan

U15 Girls Lara Botting

Special mention was made of the U11 Boys section, who were Welsh National Champions this

season.

Congratulations were also passed on to a mixed Under 11 team that took part in the Savills

Tournament in Bath at the end of the season. Scoring over 20 goals without reply saw them victorious and the cup was present for all to see.

Towards the end of the season the younger players took part in a skills event called "Stix Skills". Each player has to take six timed observed and assessed skills challenges, assessing their key hockey skills. Results were impressive and a large number passed the necessary qualification whilst 11 gained a "Stix Skills Plus"level which is a good testament to the quality of their basic skill levels.

Certificates were handed out to the players who had achieved this qualification this season.

After all the awards and reviews had been done, club president Trevor Scott observed how pleasant an evening it had been and that Abergavenny Hockey Club is looking in good shape. He thanked the coaches and parents for their efforts this season, but mainly the players themselves. Having enthusiastic players enjoying their hockey is what will drive the club forward.

The club are planning some events over the summer months, to coincide with the Olympic games and also to take advantage of the re-laid Astroturf pitch at the Leisure Centre that is targeted for completion in early August.

Keep your eye on the website http://www.abergavennyhockey.co.uk">www.abergavennyhockey.co.uk for further details.