TAVISTOCK Hockey Club is this month celebrating after its junior members notched up a string of unprecedented successes. Sarah Barratt, 14, and Robynne Honey, 13, have been awarded coveted places at the West of England Hockey Academy, after attending the West of England U15 trials in Exeter earlier this month. They join Alexander Cooley, 14, who was picked for the Academy following his success with the Cornwall U17 team. Sandra Wickham, secretary of the West Hockey Association, said Academy selectors were looking for players who had the potential to reach divisional and national level within hockey. ?The purpose of the academy is to coach individual and team skills ? we are looking at people who have the potential and ability to do really well. It?s a very high level of hockey indeed in terms of commitment and standard,? said Mrs Wickham. Academy candidates were chosen from Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Avon and Hereford. Of these, a ?fair smattering? were already representing their country, though she said Academy selection was ?not a passport? to an England shirt. Mrs Wickham said Academy coaches concentrated on all-round ability. ?We look at their athleticism, we look for quick feet, and also coachability is very important. They need to be able to take constructive criticism, they need to be able to take advice and commitment is at the top of our list,? said Mrs Wickham. John Barratt, chairman of Tavistock Hockey Club, said the youngsters? achievements were ?tremendous? and were a great encouragement to the club as a whole. He said: ? This has been an historic year for Tavistock Hockey Club, with boys and girls representing the county at a variety of age groups. ?And for the first time in many years, Tavistock Hockey Club will be represented at the National Hockey finals ? the Devon U15 girls squad won the West of England tournament and will be representing the West of England.? Sarah, who attends Devonport High School for Girls, plays for Devon U15s side ? Robynne, a Tavistock College student, plays for the county?s U14s team. The girls will attend final selection trials for the West of England U15s team at Millfield School on April 17. More than 90 girls from the eight English counties plus the Channel Islands attended the trials ? just 18 will be picked from the last 24 hopefuls. Alexander, a Launceston College student, is waiting for the result of his final trial with the boys? West of England side.
