Hey there, hockey fans! Let’s talk about the England Hockey Talent Academy Festival 2023, presented by Sunbelt Rentals UK and Ireland. This three-day event, held from 29th to 31st July at the Nottingham Hockey Centre, was an absolute spectacle of real talent. Over 800 young players took to the field, showcasing their skills and passion for the game.
This festival, which is the largest outdoor junior hockey event in the country, featured 48 teams, with 24 girls’ teams and 24 boys’ teams. They battled it out in a total of 72 matches across 6 pitches. It was an action-packed weekend filled with thrilling moments and impressive performances.
In the boys’ competition, three teams stood out by remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. Hampstead & Westminster Talent Academy Boys, East Grinstead Talent Academy Boys, and Surbiton Talent Academy Boys displayed exceptional skills and determination. Their unbeaten streaks were a testament to their hard work and dedication.
The girls’ competition was equally exciting, with Wimbledon Talent Academy Girls, Guildford Talent Academy Girls, and Surbiton Talent Academy Girls emerging as joint-winners. These talented young athletes showcased their prowess on the field and left a lasting impression.
Let’s dive into some of the highlights from the matches. In the boys’ competition, on the opening day, East Grinstead Talent Academy Boys, Durham Talent Academy Boys, University of Exeter Talent Academy Boys, Birmingham Talent Academy Boys, Old Loughtonians Talent Academy Boys, and Hampstead & Westminster Talent Academy Boys secured victories in their respective matches.
On the second day, Guildford Talent Academy Boys, Cambridge Talent Academy Boys, South Coast Talent Academy Boys, Surbiton Talent Academy Boys, Sevenoaks Talent Academy Boys, and Northwest Talent Academy Boys showcased their skills and emerged victorious.
Moving on to the girls’ competition, Team Bath Buccaneers TA Girls, Wimbledon Talent Academy Girls, University of Exeter Talent Academy Girls, Birmingham Talent Academy Girls, Old Loughtonians Talent Academy Girls, and Hampstead & Westminster Talent Academy Girls kicked off the tournament with wins in their opening matches.
In the second set of matches, Guildford Talent Academy Girls, Cambridge Talent Academy Girls, South Coast Talent Academy Girls, Surbiton Talent Academy Girls, Sevenoaks Talent Academy Girls, and Reading Talent Academy Girls displayed their talent and secured victories.
The final day of the festival saw some intense matches. Wimbledon Talent Academy Girls, Birmingham Talent Academy Girls, Hampstead & Westminster Talent Academy Girls, Guildford Talent Academy Girls, Surbiton Talent Academy Girls, and Sevenoaks Talent Academy Girls emerged victorious in their respective matches, leaving a lasting impression on the spectators.
The boys’ competition also had its fair share of thrilling moments. Wimbledon Talent Academy Boys, Timperley Talent Academy Boys, Oxford Hawks Talent Academy Boys, Ulster Red Boys, Yorkshire Talent Academy Boys, and Reading Talent Academy Boys showcased their skills and clinched victories in their second matches.
On the second day, East Grinstead Talent Academy Boys, University of Exeter Talent Academy Boys, Hampstead & Westminster Talent Academy Boys, Guildford Talent Academy Boys, Surbiton Talent Academy Boys, and Sevenoaks Talent Academy Boys displayed their talent and secured wins.
The girls’ competition on the second day witnessed some fantastic performances. East Grinstead Talent Academy Girls, Holcombe Talent Academy Girls, Stourport Talent Academy Girls, Wales Girls, Yorkshire Talent Academy Girls, and Northwest Talent Academy Girls registered wins in their respective matches.
In the final set of matches, Wimbledon Talent Academy Girls, Birmingham Talent Academy Girls, Hampstead & Westminster Talent Academy Girls, Guildford Talent Academy Girls, Surbiton Talent Academy Girls, and Sevenoaks Talent Academy Girls showcased their skills and emerged victorious.
The festival concluded with Team Bath Buccaneers TA Boys, Beeston Talent Academy Boys, Northwest Talent Academy Boys, Timperley Talent Academy Boys, Oxford Hawks Talent Academy Boys, and Wales Boys securing wins in their last matches of the tournament.
Old Loughtonians Talent Academy Boys, Birmingham Talent Academy Boys, Reading Talent Academy Boys, East Grinstead Talent Academy Boys, Hampstead & Westminster Talent Academy Boys, and Surbiton Talent Academy Boys signed off with wins in the last set of matches in the boys’ category.
In the girls’ competition, Ulster White Girls, Beeston Talent Academy Girls, Oxford Hawks Talent Academy Girls, East Grinstead Talent Academy Girls, South Coast Talent Academy Girls, and Cambridge Talent Academy Girls capped off the festival with wins in their respective last matches.
What an incredible display of talent and passion for the game! The England Hockey Talent Academy Festival 2023 was truly a memorable event. These young athletes showcased their skills, determination, and love for hockey. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these talented individuals. Until next time, keep supporting and celebrating the amazing world of hockey!