Young members of Bedford Hockey Club are celebrating this week after the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Under-12 squad retained the Sikh Games title at Brunel University in London on Saturday (1 August).
Eight players from Chester Road were part of the team that won every game throughout the tournament, retaining the championship they won at the same venue 12 months ago.
The youngsters involved were Gurvir Sira, Vihaan Sira, Pavit Singh, Nya Sandhu, Bani Toor, Harsimran Singh, Harvir Dhillon and Dheya Garcha.
Gurvir Sira once again led the way, scoring five goals across the tournament and retaining the competition’s top goalscorer award for the second consecutive year.
Read: Bedford’s hockey youngsters step up to the plate at the National Sikh Games
Nya Sandhu added two goals, while Pavit Singh also found the net during the team’s successful campaign, while Bani Toor, Harsimran Singh and Harvir Dhillon worked tirelessly to restrict the opposition and protect their goal throughout the competition.
The end result was an unbeaten tournament, and a second consecutive Sikh Games trophy, although the team had goalkeeper, Vihaan Sira to thank in the final game, producing a number of important saves to secure a vital 3-2 win and secure the title.
“A fantastic achievement”
The Sikh Games, now in its third year, is a not-for-profit, community-driven organisation dedicated to celebrating sport, unity and Sikh values on a national stage.
And it’s a tournament that coach, Sandeep Sira looks forward to with immense pride, as he praised his team of young hockey players.
“It was an amazing performance from all of the young players”, said Sandeep.
“They listened, worked hard for one another and showed great determination against some very strong teams.
“Every player contributed, whether through scoring goals, defending, making saves or supporting their teammates.
“To win the tournament for a second consecutive year is a fantastic achievement. The children should all be extremely proud of themselves.”
Bedford Hockey Club are currently staging ‘Back to Hockey’ try out sessions for adult players at Chester Road in Queens Park, with the next session due to take place tomorrow (5 August) from 7pm.
No experience is needed and prospective players and volunteers can just turn up, although players must be 13 years of age and older to play in these sessions.
Junior hockey returns to Chester Road in September.
For more information on junior hockey at Bedford Hockey Club, readers can email juniors@bedfordhockeyclub.com.
