TWO Borders primary schools represented the region in a hockey tournament held at Meadowmill Sports Centre, Tranent.
Knowepark (Selkirk) and Melrose were selected as a number of their pupils have regularly participated in hockey through Borders Fjordhus at their centres in Selkirk, Tweedbank and Earlston.
This is the first time that primary schools from the Borders have been invited to the tournament, and along with schools from Edinburgh, West Lothian, East Lothian and Midlothian, they put on a fine showcase of hockey.
Janet Jack, hockey development officer, told TheSouthern: “It has been a fantastic opportunity for the youngsters and it shows that the development work at grass roots in the Borders is really paying dividends.
“These children of primary school age are just a few of the 300+ children who participate in the area on a weekly basis.
“The level of hockey being played in the Borders is developing fast and the effort, time and commitment put in by the local junior club coaches is really showing results, as we are seeing more players than ever at a junior age receive national honours.
“I would like to thank the two volunteers, Maxine Inglis who travelled with the Melrose team and Susan Pettie who travelled with the Knowepark team.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of sport and we, in hockey, really appreciate them giving up their valuable time to give the children this opportunity.”
Melrose Primary: Gemma Proudfoot, Rhiannon Fagan, Katy Watters, Elena Heger, Hannah Magowan, Laura Brown, Amy Inglis, Mitchell Green, Erin Hogg, Alice MacBrayne, Zoe Palmer, Kitty Armstrong, Cara Redburn.
Knowepark Primary: Katie Highton, Kerris Hulme, Lara Mills, Caitlin Wright, Emma Duncan, Catherine Nicol, Hannah Kemp, Iona McEwan, Megan Gentleman and Shaunnie Campbell.