Latrobe Valley women salute at home turf

Latrobe Valley Hockey Association’s women’s team has emerged victorious at the Gippsland Championships, which were held in Churchill at the weekend.

The two day tournament pitted teams from Latrobe Valley, West Gippsland and East Gippsland hockey associations against each other in junior and senior competitions.

The Latrobe Valley women’s side defeated East Gippsland 4-0 yesterday to finish the weekend undefeated.

In the senior men’s competition, Latrobe Valley lost to East Gippsland after their match went to a penalty shoot out.

At the end of normal play the two sides were locked at 2-2, but East Gippsland clinched the ensuing penalty shoot out 4-3.

In the junior competitions, East Gippsland defeated West Gippsland 3-0 in the under-17s and West Gippsland defeated Latrobe Valley 4-0 in the under-15s.

East Gippsland was crowned Gippsland champion in the under-13s, after defeating West Gippsland 3-0.

Latrobe Valley Hockey Association representative Linda Reid said the two-day tournament featured “very competitive” hockey.

“It was really good to see the growth of junior hockey,” Reid said.

“Without junior hockey we have no senior hockey.”

She said the lack of clubroom facilities at the ground marred the second day of the tournament, which was marked by rain and wind.

Reid said the event attracted 200 people to the ground and discussions were underway between the three associations about East and West Gippsland fielding sides in Latrobe Valley competitions.

“They’re looking to put in representative teams to play us probably on Sundays, which will boost them and it will boost us,” she said.

Anyone interested in playing hockey can phone Linda Reid on 0413 087 481.