Timaru Tournament Sets Early Season Standard

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Both the 1st XI wider squad and an U15 selection took part, gaining valuable pre-season match experience against quality opposition in a competitive environment. The tournament provided an important opportunity to build fitness, test combinations, and establish early-season structures ahead of the winter competition.

The 1st XI squad delivered a solid series of performances across the weekend, finishing with two wins, one draw, and a very close loss against tournament hosts Timaru Boys’ High School. The matches were tightly contested throughout, providing an opportunity to grow cohesion as combinations began to take shape. Many names featured under the goals column on the team sheet, which is an exciting indication of the hockey to come this season.

The U15 side faced the challenge of competing against 1st and 2nd XI opposition, with a clear focus on development and learning as a newly formed group. The experience proved invaluable, helping players adjust to the pace and physicality of higher-level hockey. The highlight of the tournament was an impressive 6-1 win over St Bede's 2nd XI - with both George D and Tom S earning hat-tricks. This early investment of time energy and commitment has already shown positive results, with the team securing an impressive 9–6 opening season win over Taieri 1st XI on Tuesday night.

A big thank you to James, Kate and Mel who came to support the teams alongside old boys Nick Friedlander, Sam Schell and Angus Loe. We are so grateful to have old boys and graduates of the McGlashan Hockey Programme willing to give up their time in support of the next generation of players.

Overall, the tournament in Timaru proved to be an excellent stepping stone into the season for both squads. The combination of competitive match play, team development, and early exposure to high-intensity hockey has set a strong foundation moving forward.