ROVER OXFORD YOUTH HOCKEY FESTIVAL REPORT (Scroll down to view more)

Festival Pictures (from Flickr)  Festival Results (Excel)

Rover Oxford's 16th Annual Hockey Festival was again a great success with 82 teams in 8 age groups playing 176 games over the weekend at Cokethorpe School and Witney ATP. Teams as far away as Banbridge, Northern Ireland and the Wirral took part in the annual event although local clubs were well represented with Oxford Hawks winning top spot in two age groups.

The Festival started on Saturday with fast and furious hockey from the Under
8 and Under 10's with Oxford Hawks and Youth Sport South from County Down coming out on top in their respective age groups. Jonty Clark of Reading, England and Great Britain took a break from his Olympic training to present the trophies much to the delight of the assembled players and spectators.

The Irish teams continued to prosper in the afternoon with Banbridge Academy boys lifting the Under 12 trophy. Their coach, Simon Jess is a former Head Boy of Cokethorpe School and a product of Rover Oxford's forward thinking youth development hockey programme. Fittingly, head teacher of Banbridge Academy, Raymond Pollock was on hand to present the prizes.

On the Sunday, the Festival spread to a second venue at Witney ATP where Oxford Hawks again struck gold in the Under 12 girls age group whilst Aylesbury retained their U14 girls trophy with a fine display of attacking hockey.

Meanwhile, back at Cokethorpe School, Eastcote won the Under 14 and Under 16 boys categories whilst Wycome Rye overcame City of Oxford in the Under 16 girls competition. Head teacher of Cokethorpe School, Damian Ettinger was on hand to present the trophies.

Overall, local clubs competed well with those from outside the area demonstrating that youth hockey is flourishing in Oxfordshire. Banbridge Academy's head Raymond Pollock, who had made the long journey with his school said "To be invited to such a well run competition each year is a great honour and we wish Rover Oxford every success with their hockey development programme"

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
 

2008 Details (.doc)

2008 Rules (.doc)

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY 19th APRIL - COKETHORPE SCHOOL

Under 8: Arrive by 9.00, Umpires briefing 9.10, Games start 9.30, Presentation of trophies 13.05

Under 10: Arrive by 9.00, Umpires briefing 9.10, Games start 9.30, Presentation of trophies 13.35

Under 12 boys: Arrive by 13.45, Umpires briefing 14.10, Games start 14.30, Presentation of trophies 17.15

SUNDAY 20th APRIL - COKETHORPE SCHOOL

Under 14 Boys: Arrive by 9.00, Coaches briefing 9.10, Games start 9.30, Presentation of trophies 12.15

Under 16 Girls: Arrive by 12.15, Coaches briefing 12.35, Games start 12.55, Presentation of trophies 15.25

Under 16 Boys: Arrive by 15.15, Coaches briefing 15.40, Games start 16.00, Presentation of trophies 18.00

SUNDAY 20th APRIL - WITNEY ATP

Under 14 Girls: Arrive by 9.00, Umpires briefing 9.10, Games start 9.30, Presentation of trophies 12.50

Under 12 Girls: Arrive by 13.00, Umpires briefing 13.20, Games start 13.40, Presentation of trophies 17.00