Kewaigue Primary School has won the first Southern Schools’ years 5 and 6 hockey tournament, triumphing 1-0 over Arbory Primary School.
The inter-schools challenge, organised by Castletown Hockey Club, saw teams from the Buchan School and Arbory, Ballasalla, Kewaigue and Rushen primary schools compete for the trophy on Tuesday March 4th at Castle Rushen High School, where the club, sponsored by Celton Manx, holds its weekly training sessions.
Club secretary Dani Kelly said: ‘This tournament is a first for the club and part of our drive to develop hockey at junior level. This we would not have been able to do without the continued support of Celton Manx whose sponsorship, now in its fourth year, provides us with the resources to devise a long-term training programme and make hockey accessible and affordable to more young people.
‘The contenders for the title fought with great determination and showed impressive skills for players of such a young age. We were therefore delighted that Bill Mummery from Celton Manx was able to share in the excitement of the occasion and present the trophy for what is set to be an annual event in the club’s calendar.’
Celton Manx executive director Bill Mummery said: ‘With their professional coaching programme and drive to remove cost barriers Dani and her colleagues at Castletown Hockey Club are making considerable progress in encouraging greater numbers of younger players to the sport. It is a strategy that mirrors the guiding principle of Celton Manx in matters of community investment, which is to channel our support into areas that will provide personal development opportunities to the widest possible audience.
‘Celton Manx is pleased to be encouraging young sporting endeavour at Castletown Hockey Club and I congratulate every one of the tournament players on their sterling efforts.’
