Hockey: Amy’s the winner as ex-captains reward promising hockey stars

Friends pupil Amy Brown has been named as the first winner of the Walker Trophy in recognition of her promising hockey career.
By Bethany Glover, Ciara McCabe and Emily McClearn
Published 5th Nov 2014, 16:10 BST
The Walker family presented the Walker Trophy to Friends'. L-R: Kirsty, mother Diane, and Jemma Walker.The Walker family presented the Walker Trophy to Friends'. L-R: Kirsty, mother Diane, and Jemma Walker.
The Walker family presented the Walker Trophy to Friends'. L-R: Kirsty, mother Diane, and Jemma Walker.

The Year 11 student was awarded the trophy for her dedication to the sport and progress she has made in the past year.

In 2013, Amy played for the U14A team which reached the semi-finals of the Junior Cup. She is developing her hockey this season, playing for the 1st XI.

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Amy was recently selected for the Ulster U16 Hockey team, along with Rachel Barnes, another Year 11 pupil. The team played in the Interprovincial Championships on 16th and 17th October at Lisnagarvey.

Amy Brown (left) who has won the Walker Trophy in its inaugral year. Also pictured is Ulster U16 player Rachel Barnes.Amy Brown (left) who has won the Walker Trophy in its inaugral year. Also pictured is Ulster U16 player Rachel Barnes.
Amy Brown (left) who has won the Walker Trophy in its inaugral year. Also pictured is Ulster U16 player Rachel Barnes.

Both show great promise and the school wish them the best of luck as they continue to gain more skills and experiences in hockey.

Amy said, “Winning the trophy was a really unexpected surprise. This is a massive achievement for me, and it’s good to get recognition of my progress.”

The Walker Trophy was presented to Friends’ School in August 2014 by the Walker family.

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Colin, Kirsty and Jemma Walker all attended Friends’ and the family’s association with the School began when Colin started there, a Year Eight student, in 2001, and came to an end, for now, in June 2014 when Jemma completed her A-Levels.

All three of them had an active part in extra-curricular activities throughout their time at Friends’, and the family wanted to present the trophy in recognition of the enjoyment all had had playing and watching the hockey matches at School.

Jemma and Kirsty were both captains of the First XI girls’ hockey team, Kirsty captaining from 2011-2012, and Jemma captaining from 2013-2014.

They had great success with Jemma bringing her team to victory in the Ulster Schools’ Plate final in March, defeating Victoria College 1-0. Kirsty also led her team to victory in the Helen Martin Trophy in 2011. Notably all three family members have gone on to study languages as part of their degrees.