HISTORY MADE: Tauranga under-15 girls' hockey team and supporters celebrate after winning bronze at the nationals. Photo / Supplied
Under-15 girls side become first premiers in new comp
The Tauranga rep team made history by winning the association's first medal at the National Under-15 Premier Girls Tournament held during the recent school holidays.
The team made it through to the semi-final bronze medal match, where they snatched a victory from Wellington.
"Every year Tauranga Hockey sends age group
representatives away to week-long national tournaments to compete with other regions around the country. This year the under-15 premier girls went to Whangarei," team manager Karen Collins said.
"The girls trained hard all season under experienced coach Paul Collins. They had a successful week and were very excited to win their quarter-final against North Harbour, making them top four in the tournament. They met a slick Canterbury team in the semi-final and were unlucky to lose 2 goals to 1. They finished the tournament in a very exciting game against Wellington, scoring off a penalty corner in the second minute of extra time to win a bronze medal. This was made even more exciting as Tauranga has never won a medal at this tournament before.
