MORE than 1,200 children took to the pitches at the National Hockey Academy, Peffermill, Edinburgh, last week.
The occasion was the NASUWT National Primary School Festival, hosting 32 teams, two from each region of Scotland.
Players had travelled from far and wide to attend this prestigious event and the two Borders Reivers teams did not disappoint, showcasing their skills and winning attitude during the event.
The two sides were made up of talented hockey youngsters who have been working over the year with their coach Pippa Bell and also within their club participation centres.
The standard of the children’s hockey ability was recognised from the outset and both Borders teams were placed in the most competitive pools.
Festivals for primary school age children are very competitive, but scores are not recorded (although it is fair to say that their results were excellent), instead the children are given the opportunity to develop team skills, including fair play and sportsmanship and are encouraged to demonstrate the Olympic and Paralympic values of respect, excellence, friendship, courage, inspiration, determination and equality.
Borders hockey development officer Janet Jack told TheSouthern: “These children were a pleasure to be with and were real ambassadors for each of their respective schools and also the Borders region.
“From the outset they were great fun and full of enthusiasm and played with real team spirit, encouraging each other and praising each others’ effort.”
Red team (Borders Reivers A): Emma Grieve (Stirches), Caitlin Wright (Knowepark), Julia Corcoran (Burgh), Kirsty Morris (Coldstream), Charlie Jack (Lilliesleaf), Ishbel Inglis (Trinity), Toby Dawson (Channelkirk).
Blue Team (Borders Reivers B): Lucy Murray (Broomlands), Susannah Godfrey-Faussett (St Marys), Paul Goldie (Drumlanrig), Hannah Comiskey (Stow), Nicholas Henderson (Stow), Calum Arnott (Lilliesleaf), Chloe Richardson (Newtown St Boswells).