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Hockey juniors have a hit out

In control: Benalla’s Cael Johnson. Photo by Megan Fisher

Benalla’s juniors headed over to the GVHA fields in Shepparton on Saturday, April 1, to try out the new Hockey 5s format that they’ll be playing in 2023.

Hockey Victoria staff members Amy Welsh and David Bourke gave everyone a run-down of the rules, with the biggest differences being that the ball stays in play the whole time with side boards, and instead of a penalty corner a 1-on-1 ‘challenge’ with the goalie is played for infringements stopping a goal.

Watching and waiting: Steele Adams. Photo by Megan Fisher
How’s the Serenity?: Benalla’s Serenity Donoghue. Photo by Megan Fisher
Alert: Benalla’s Jack Chittick. Photo by Megan Fisher
Slotting it: Benalla’s Pavneet Kaur. Photo by Megan Fisher
Tough duel: Benalla’s Serenity Donoghue takes on Euroa’s Stella Keramaris. Photo by Megan Fisher
Put your back into it: Euroa’s Ada McKeachie. Photo by Megan Fisher
Winding up: Euroa’s Aidan Hamill. Photo by Megan Fisher

Goals can also be scored from anywhere in the attacking half, which the kids took advantage of with no goalies for the first quarter and almost 15 goals scored across both the Benalla and Euroa teams.

Everyone had a chance to use the side boards to bounce around the opposition, and the back line boards created some interesting plays near goals.

“I really like Hockey 5’s — it’s a lot of fun, and so many goals,” said under-14 player Angus Hayes.

The Junior and Senior GVHA season starts on April 29, with Benalla hosting under-12s, two under-14s, B Women’s and B Men’s teams, and supporting players in under-10s, under-17s and A Women’s teams.

Training is from 6pm to 7pm on Thursday with new players always welcome.

Hook In2 Hockey presentations for the under-8, under-10 and under-12 groups are at 5.30pm this Thursday, April 6, with all kids transitioning to Stick 2 Hockey in Term 2.

For more information, check out Benalla Hockey on Facebook, or email benallahockey@gmail.com

Senior Sports Journalist