Junior Aspire Cup is a big hit with Schools

This season’s new Junior Aspire Schools Cup has been a huge success!  Throughout November, 250 young state school pupils enjoyed taking part in tournaments across the country – and feedback has been fantastic.

The Junior Aspire Cup offers S1 and S2 pupils in state schools an opportunity to participate in a national competition. Matches are 8-a-side, half pitch, using Scottish Hockey’s ‘Eights’ rules.

Events

24 teams took part in three regional tournaments in Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee. There were separate competitions for girls & boys.

  • Bught Park, Inverness – 11 November: 6 girls’ teams (Highland)
  • Rubislaw, Aberdeen – 18 November: 8 girls’ teams (North)
  • Dawson Park, Dundee – 2 December: 5 boys’ teams and 5 girls’ teams (Midland/East)

Entry was free, thanks to the generosity of school and local authority partners hosting on their pitches: Highlife Highland, Aberdeen Grammar School, and Grove Academy.  Schools who had longer journeys will receive a subsidy towards their travel costs due to a Solidarity grant from the European Hockey Federation (EHF).

Unfortunately, the North/Highland boys’ tournament in Elgin was postponed due to a frozen pitch, but will be rearranged in the new year.

Junior Aspire Cup Teams – Inverness

Organisation

The tournaments were organised by Scottish Hockey’s Regional Development Managers (RDMs). Mark Pain, RDM (North), commented, “There was a great atmosphere at all the events, and it was fantastic to see so many youngsters enjoying playing hockey for their school teams. Some had only been playing hockey for a few weeks, and many were playing in their first tournament. They all left wanting more!”

Chris Anderson, RDM (Midland) added, “These events are an important addition to the youth calendar, aimed at grassroots development of the sport. We hope to inspire youngsters to enjoy playing hockey, and for more schools to enter teams in the Senior Aspire Cup in future seasons.”

Future Plans

Following the success of these events, the schools involved are keen to have more tournaments. Plans are therefore underway for a national tournament and/or more regional events in Spring/Summer 2023.

Entries will open in Autumn 2023 for next season’s Junior Aspire Cup.

Schools

The schools who participated were:

Aberdeen Grammar School Inverness Royal Academy
Banchory Academy   Kingussie High School
Balerno High School Linlithgow Academy
Boroughmuir High School Madras College
Cults Academy McLaren High School
Dingwall Academy Mearns Academy
Ellon Academy Meldrum Academy
The Gordon Schools, Huntly Millburn Academy
Grove Academy Turriff Academy
Harris Academy    

 

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