Pitch perfect for hockey stars

Not only did it mark the re-opening of the popular synthetic pitch at Carrick Amphitheatre, following a major refurbishment initiative, it was also the 10th anniversary of Carrickfergus Junior Hockey Club - a thriving enterprise operated in partnership between Carrick Ladies’ Hockey Club and Carrickfergus Borough Council.

Launched in 2002, the club has established itself as one of the most popular and active junior hockey programmes in Northern Ireland.

With annual membership now exceeding 100 players, it continues to provide aspiring young female hockey players with a disciplined but relaxed and enjoyable way of developing in their chosen sport. In its 10 years of its existence, the Junior Club has already delivered a steady flow of highly-promising players to its parent club, Carrick Ladies’ Hockey Club.

The senior club’s three squads contain sizeable groups of young players, all of whom graduated to senior club through the borough’s Junior Club programme. And this season, Carrick Ladies’ 1st XI captain, Lois Passmore, holds the distinction of being the first junior club prouct to wear the coveted armband.

Carrickfergus Junior Hockey Club co-ordinator, Leslie Oliver, spoke positively about the refurbishment initiative at The Amphitheatre pitch and the ongoing success of junior club.

“We’re delighted with the arrival of the new pitch. The Ulster Hockey Union requires all Premiership and Senior One, Two, and Three matches to be played on a synthetic surface. So, as a current Senior Two club, it has been essential to Carrick Ladies that we have ready access to a synthetic pitch. Having such a top quality facilty in our home town is of course particularly welcome.

“All of our Junior Club activity also takes place on the synthetic pitch and the kids will absolutely love playing on it. The junior club partnership between Carrick Ladies and Carrick Borough Council has proved very successful over the past 10 years and goes from strength to strength.

Carrick Council should has every reason to be proud of its achievements in assisting so effectively with the provision of hockey playing opportunities for the young girls of the borough and the development of a successful child-friendly feeder system from junior club to Carrick Ladies.”