Academy U12s crowned indoor champions

* THE Year 8 boys’ hockey team from the Academy have created yet more history as they have been crowned Ulster Hockey’s U12 Indoor champions.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Mar 2011, 08:48 BST

The team, backed by the Belmont Hotel, won their heats beating Wallace 3-1, Ashfield 6-1, Killicomaine 5-0 and a 1-1 stalemate with Markethill HS. 

The boys then faced the cream of hockey schools in the one day final held in the impressive facilities at UUJ.

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The event, organised by One Sportswear and in conjunction with Ulster Hockey and the Athlete Performance Scheme, saw the Academy push aside RBAI 3-0 with goals from James Beckett, Sam McMurray and Jake Rowe.

The second game saw the locals beat CCB 6-0 Sam McMurray again with a hat trick, Jake Rowe with two and Joshua Peacock the last.

The final game saw the Academy only needing a draw against Markethill, and Nathan Liggett grabbed the all important goal to seal an impressive tally of goals.

The defensive unit of Groves, Cowan and Wilson stood up well to the task and with Peacock, Rowe, McMurray, McConnell, Young and Liggett all a force going forward it was a fitting end to what has been a season of superb development and achievement.

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 The team was coached by Mr Mark Cordner and Mr Gareth Matthews (Stranmillis student) with sticks provided by Total Hockey and the kits supported by the Belmont Hotel.

The indoor winners’ trophy was accepted by Academy U12 captain Lee Groves and his squad from Mrs Jennifer Patterson, chairperson of Ulster Hockey.

Squad: John Wilson, Lee Groves, Joshua Peacock, Nathan Liggett, Matthew Young, Aaron McConnell, Jake Rowe, Sam McMurray, Dylan Cowan.