Superstars in the making!!
A few weeks ago I was invited along to watch Waverley’s U9 teams battle it out in a top of the table clash. It has been some 21 years since my last game of U9 hockey so I was excited about the entertainment I was going to see. Whilst hockey may be the reason the kids are there, it’s not always the centre of attention. Remembering back to my U9 days, when the ball was up the attacking end, I remember full backs making mud castles to fill in the time between ball appearances. It wasn’t unusual to see a goal keeper taking a well earned break either sitting on the backboard of the goal as their team streamed forward with the ball. So as I drove to the match, I was looking forward to a fun filled morning!
Both teams took the pitch and away they went. Well, not straight away, someone had forgotten their mouthguard in their bag, and after going through 3 bags to finally work out what was his, the game started! The first half was an action packed game with both teams creating chances to score. On the reduced size pitch, it didn’t take long for one team to be moving into attack and troubling the defence. Between the hockey brilliance on the pitch, there was the occassional laughter as kid’s turned to their parents to wave and make sure they were watching them. Those players alloted wing positions had their concentration limits tested as lines on the ground had more appeal at times than the white ball rolling across it.
Half-time struck and the score was 1-0 in favour of Waverley Blue. Half time to me rings lollies and sports gels to try and get some sugar back into the body to replace some lost energy. Instead I was sent out on the pitch with a gourmet platter of watermelon and oranges, another memory of my junior days. The kids were hilarious, scoffing piece after piece of fruit into their mouths and whilst holding 2 others in each hand. To be honest I’m not sure how some kids were able to run in the second half after eating the amount they did!
Full bellies and a pep talk from the coach saw the kids take pitch, the whistle blow and off they went! It wasn’t long till the action again started. Terrorising full pitch runs from fullbacks saw a fast and furious game play out. The scores were levelled up by Waverley White and the match looked destined for a draw! However a brilliant goal from the top of the circle saw the Waverley Blue goal scorer run up to his parents and yell something funny out! (I didn’t quite hear what he said but no doubt it was something like “Dad you owe me 5 bucks for that goal!”).
Thinking that was the ball game as we were in the final minute or 2 of the match, the team down a goal Waverley white team broke into attack along the right sideline. A beautiful cross found a snoozing centre- forward all alone in the attacking circle. As they wound up their stick to smash in the equaliser, the umpire broke the hearts of the crowd as he sounded the full time whistle. End result saw the Waverley Blue team win by about 2 seconds!
All in all a cracking game of hockey. Thanks to the Under 9s for inviting me down to be part of the big intra club match was great to watch. Brought back some great memories for me and reminded me that hockey isn’t always about winning, just getting out there, having fun and most of all eating as much food as you can in the 5 minute half time break!