HOCKEY
1998
BOYS HOCKEY
U9 Cubs, coaches: Kieran Knowles & Elliot Druhan
This is a non competitive grade, played on half fields, with the boys here to learn the game, basic skills and to have fun
. This was also a learning experience for the two coaches who also both play junior hockey for Panthers.
U12 Cheetahs, coach: Gary Rousell
The first of our premiership winning sides, taking out the grand final 3 to 0 against Blaxland.This was a fitting
reward to a strong season which saw the boys finish the rounds equal with Blaxland on points. The team was a mixture
of player having their first season of full field hockey and some "experienced" campaigners who already had a season or two under their belts.
U15 Pumas, coach: Peter McMillan
Undefeated premiers, a tag which clearly showed the dominance of this side. This was primarily the same team which
won last year's U15 competition, and they'd showed this year that they weren't about cede that position to anyone beating the Leopards in an all Panthers grand final
for the second year in a row. This team is already prooving a good source of talent for our mens teams and the future of Panthers looks good with these players.
U15 Leopards, coach: Luke Ogle
Runners up to the Pumas in a season which saw them as the only other threat in the competition this year. This team consisted of a combination
of last year's team and some players who returned after a brief abscence from the game. Like the Pumas this side is already a good source of players for our senior ranks
and many of these players will have premierships with in the coming years.
U15 Cougars, coach: Shane McIntyre
U18 Panthers, coach: Ryan Knowles
The 'babies" of the U15 competition, this team finished just out of the semis. The side consisted of mainly young players, under 12s, playing up and
new players to the game. The coaches job was made all the more difficult by the strength of the other two Panther's team's in the competition but, after some nerves early in the season, the boys showed some real courage and a willingness to learn, often pushing the top teams right to the wire.
A team who, for their age, already has vast experience and talent and were always going to proove to strong for the opposition this year. This team finished up winning the gand final 3 to 2 in what was probably there hardest game of the year. Many of the side are already regulars in out 1st grade men's team and that experience showed when, down 2 to 0 at half time, they come back to grab a much deserved victory.
U9 Lions, coach: Angela Kissick
A very young and inexperienced side the girls showed improvement all season eventually being beaten in sudden death in the semi-finals. Hopefully they'll all return next season as, with a season under their belts, they should prove to be a very strong side side.
U12 Jaguars, coach: Noelene Knowles
This team also went down in the semi-finals after a season which saw them improve consistently all year and save their best for the end of the season. The team had only the basic eleven players and often played short, but this did not deter them and they played with great determination and courage all season.
U12 Bobcats, coach: Leesa Scott
This team didn't reach the semis, just missing out but for a team of very inexperienced players they still did very well. This team also struggled most of the season to field a full team but despite this showed remarkable improvement as the season went on. With most of this team still able to play U12s next season they should prove to be a real force in the competition.
U16 Lynxs, coach: Leigh-Ann Oakes
This team made it through to the preliminary final before going down to Blaxland. The format of the competition, 8 a side, meant that there was a surplus of players initially, but the girls took this in their stride and the team combined well and played some very attractive hockey during the season.