Experience beats enthusiasm in SJH anniversary hockey

By Romario Samaroo

In recognition of St. Joseph High’s (SJH) 120th year anniversary, a host of activities during the Easter term were orchestrated, one of which was a hockey contest between past and present students at the educational facility.
Played on the patio at the school’s Woolford Avenue location on Tuesday, the past students team which comprised of Old Fort Hockey Club players that once attended the school, including the current coach of the school’s team John Abrams defeated the youngsters 4-1 of which Abrams scored three goals in the 10 minute lash out.
While the grand finale saw the past students winning, during the lunch interval, a series of matches got underway with what is commonly known as ‘one goal knock out’ as three teams participated, i.e. the past students, Under-18 and U-14 teams, both of whom made their Guyana Hockey Board tournament debut this year.
The competition was of the highest caliber with the entire school body getting behind the current students team as they have produced some astonishing plays to score and send the audience in an uproar, all in good spirits.

Speaking to Guyana Times Sport Abrams highlighted the family-like relationship the students, both past and present have and this activity encompassed the camaraderie between the students especially since it is the 120th anniversary celebrations.
“For the 120th anniversary we formed and former students’ team that is affiliated with the Old Fort Hockey Club that trains here in the school so we just brought some of the guys to come and have a match against the current students’ teams that are taking part in the Under 18 and Under 14 competitions.”
Abrams went on to add that the games were very thrilling as the entire school body was involved.
“As you saw the game was very exciting game and of course the children were cheering for the present school team but we don’t mind, it’s St. Joseph anyway,” The coach said.
Noting the fact that the school had attracted some bad publicity in recent times, Abrams indicated that this idea was all part of a plan to have the students occupied in more positive activities.
The Old Fort player explained the progress the school has made into adopting into the competitive scene of hockey.
“This wasn’t really a tournament but just part of the 120th celebration of St. Joseph as a school and me, as a former student believe in giving back so myself and few others started playing hockey right here. Christopher Low-Koan beagn working with the students about two months ago and the reception was good and the students are very fond of the game so we entered them into tournaments where they performed well,” Abrams said.