Sunshine Snacks aids successful Junior Hockey tournament

The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB), in its quest to see the sport become a household name, hosted its Junior Hockey Tournament at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue. The tournament ran for two consecutive weekends, starting on October 8 and concluding on October 16, 2022.

The children were grouped into four divisions: Under 11, Under 13, Under 16 and Under 20. The Under-11 and Under 13 categories were mixed teams. While the Under 11 and Under 13 children are still learning the game, they are familiar with the basics of hockey and are members of clubs. The youngsters showed much delight and enthusiasm while their parents and hockey fans supported them.
The GCC Pugs were crowned champions in the Under 11 mixed division, defeating GCC Bulldogs. In third position were YMCA Old Fort, and the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) were Letifa Fields and Khristian Viapree.
In the Under 13 mixed category, GCC Thunder took the trophy, with runners-up being Saints Scorchers and Saints Scalpels. The MVPs for this category were Makeala Poole and Kyle Couchman.
In the Under 16 girls’ category, Saints Sensations outplayed YMCA Old Fort Wildcats, with GCC Tornadoes bringing up in the rear, in the third position. GCC War Dogs are the new Under 16 boys champions, defeating Saints Scorpions, with Saints Supreme taking third. Kazaquah Uzzi, who played for Saints, was declared the MVP for the girls, and Vladimir Woodroof of GCC was crowned Under 16 boys MVP.
The Under 20 boys and girls showed much skill and determination, with some being on the national team and already representing Guyana. In the girls’ finals, GCC Herricanes defeated their sister team GCC Spartans. Abosaide Cadogan netted both goals for the Herricanes, while Madison Fernandes netted the lone goal for the Spartans. The MVP was Clayza Bobb of Saints Conquerors, who played a brilliant game in the semi-finals, but her team eventually lost to GCC Spartans in a penalty shootout.
What can be considered the highlight of the evening saw the YMCA Old Fort Top Form out-scoring Saints Snipers 2-nil. Warren Williams scored both goals in the 1st and 9th minute respectively. The game was fast-paced, with the skilful young men showing much willpower on both sides. The Snipers tried to bore the net of their opponents, but brilliant goalkeeping by Kennard Jerrick denied their every attempt. In the end, Saints Snipers settled for the runners-up position, and Shakeem Fausette of Old Fort Top Form was adjudged MVP among his peers.