The first youth festival of the millennium under the Rover Oxford name was an outstanding success with over fifty teams competing in six age groups over the weekend of the 15^th and 16^th April 2000 at Tilsley Park near Oxford.

The festival is believed to be the largest such youth hockey event in the country, organised by Rover Oxford Hockey Club, the largest youth hockey club in Oxfordshire. John Moss of Corner Computers, the events main sponsor, presented the trophies.

The Banbridge and Rover boys and girls

On Saturday, Eastcote who had very nearly gone home because of the dreadful weather conditions won the Under 8 competition. In a close U10 encounter, Marlow squeaked past Wallingford with a golden goal after extra time. In the afternoon, Banbridge Academy from Northern Ireland just lost out to in the U12 final to Marlow who were fielding their national finalists U11 mini hockey team.

The victorious U16 Rover girls with friends from Banbridge

In much better conditions on Sunday, the previous year’s U14’s runners-up, Cheltenham went one better gaining the title with a narrow victory in the final against Aylesbury. The home club, Rover Oxford finally gained some success in the afternoon with the U16 girls winning their competition whilst the U16 boys were runners up to Milton Keynes in what was probably the best standard of hockey played all day.

The Rover Oxford boys celebrate their trophy.

Presenting the trophies, John Moss of Corner Computers said, "I am pleased to see such an well run festival organised for so many children. The standard of hockey was excellent".

Where did our players go?