Hockey New South Wales has deemed the Basil Sellars Regional Challenge a raging success, after both the Cooke Hockey Complex and Learmonth Park hosted the three-day event.
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Bathurst saw over 2,000 athletes and parents from all across the state descend on the town’s hockey facilities, for the culmination of the Hockey NSW’s off-season carnival – the Centre of Development (COD).
Hockey NSW communications manager Cameron Whalan said the feedback from the challenge has been very positive.
“It was a really good time and it was the first time the challenge has been in a rural area,” he said.
“I think the crowd will be happy to come back here.”
Even though the challenge was not an official competitive competition, the juniors gave it their all.
“The event was used as an under 15s selection event, so they went in hard,” Whalan said.
“It was also a good chance for players to test their skills and all players gave it their all.
“There was a high standard of skill on show.”
Rain may have affected play on Friday, but it failed to dampen the spirits for the juniors.
Australian Hockeyroo players Grace Stewart and Emily Smith spent time hanging out with the keen players.
The juniors used both the turf pitches of the Cooke Hockey Complex and the grass of Learmonth Park.
Both surfaces require different skills and awareness.
“The ball moves a lot faster on wet turf. It can be harder to play, at times, on grass,” Whalan said.
“We were surprised how well they went on the grass and they learnt some vital skills.”
Whalan said it is to soon to say if Bathurst will host the event again next year, but is “not out of the question”.
The event was held on February 24 to 26, with over 100 games played.
The Western region was represented by five female teams – Lyell, Chifely, Burrendong, Wyangala and Carcoar – and three male teams – Mookerawa, Lachlan and Macquarie.