Hockey success for Leamington

The Leamington Bush Wackers were all smiles after winning Waikato Hockey Association’s top intermediate league at Gallagher Hockey Centre in Hamilton on Friday afternoon. Photo – Holly Fulforth

The Leamington Bush Wackers finished their winter season on a high on Friday, maintaining their undefeated record to win Waikato Hockey Association’s year 7/8 advanced intermediate goalkeeper league.

The mixed team represents Leamington Junior Sports Club.

“It’s a special achievement for these kids to go undefeated in the top grade for intermediate hockey in the Waikato,” said coach Stephen Butcher, who has more than 20 years’ experience coaching women’s and masters teams.

He and his wife Nadine teamed up with Janine Parry this year to coach seven Leamington Junior Sports Club hockey teams, ranging in age from year 3 to 8.

Stephen said they had forged an association with the club because they wanted to develop hockey and build skills in youth players.

“I didn’t know what to expect when entering the team in the advanced grade because I was new to coaching this level of hockey,” he said.

“I knew I had the raw materials and the making of a great team – they just needed a bit of polish.”

Over 15 rounds of hockey the Bush Wackers scored 143 goals in total and conceded only 22, winning 11 games by at least five goals.

Their closest rival this season was St Peter’s Blue, who they beat 4-3 in a nail-biter on May 26 with a goal in the game’s final minutes.

More Recent Sports

Waipā bowlers have mixed success

Central Cambridge Bowling Club’s held a celebration for the team last week which recently came runner up at the national interclub sevens event held in Wellington earlier this month. Gary Cotter, Brent Hawken, Taylor Horn,…

Waisake grabs two

Hautapu winger Waisake Salabiau helped his side to a 33-17 victory against University in Waikato club rugby on Saturday. The Highlanders pre-season squad member crossed for two tries in the premier clash at the university…

Racquets galore

An adaptive tennis, squash and pickleball day at Cambridge Racquets Club last week provided plenty of action, laughter and community spirit. The club welcomed Parafed Waikato which supports and promotes sport and recreation for people…

Wheelie fun

They came for a battle, and left having exhausted themselves doing it. It was the battle of the schools at the Velodrome in Cambridge on Sunday with teams from Goodwood, Tamahere, Cambridge East, Cambridge Primary,…