Star squad: Benalla’s girls played great hockey for NE Knights at the Junior State Championships — Sophie, Erin, Kiah, Taree. Photos: Lee Manning.
Five juniors from Benalla represented the GVHA in North East Country Knights teams competing in the GrasSports Australia Junior State Championships in Melbourne last week.
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During four days skilled junior players from four regional and six metro teams compete for gold at the State Hockey Centre in Parkville and at Footscray Hockey Club.
Erin Jenkins played as an inner in the Under-13 girls team, improving her ball skills and attack on the ball immensely, and was strong in defensive penalty corners.
Ducking and weaving: Amber Armstrong takes on a Gippsland Bulls player in the U15 girls.
Amber Armstrong played as a half back in the Under-15 girls team, with strong defence in the circle and great positioning on her opponents.
Sophie Morton was a late addition as a half back in the Under-18 girls team, providing fast defence and improving her game positioning.
Versatile teammate Kiah Atkinson also played in defense, with her skillful tackles creating many turnovers and free hits.
On the move: Kiah Atkinson takes the angle against Gippsland Bulls in the U18 girls.
Taree Fletcher played her seventh and last championships, with solid defence and hits through from the midfield.
Through wins and losses, all players had great fun, met new friends and improved their hockey.
Benalla training will run for U12, 14, 17 and Women’s this Thursday, July 7.
GVHA games this weekend, Sat 9 July:
10am: U12 Benalla vs SYC
11.15am: U14 Mooroopna-Benalla vs Echuca
12.30pm: U17 Mooroopna-Benalla vs Echuca
2pm: B-Women Benalla-SYC vs Strikers
Dynamic duo: Erin Jenkins played U13 girls and Amber Armstrong played U15 girls for NE Knights at the State Hockey Championships.
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