SCHOOL hockey has come a long way in the county during the past year, 200 players and friends were told at

Cumbria Schools Hockey Association's presentation evening.

Speaker Nick Stebbing, North of England Under-21 coach said Cumbria had taken great strides in developing young players. For the first time a county team, the Under-18 girls, won the North of England Championship, beating favourites Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

As an added bonus the South Cumbria Under-13s won the North West Tournament.

Award winners were:

Under-15. Girls: Cumbria Hockey Association Trophy, most valuable player, Jenni Stewart (St Anne's); Ulverston Hockey Club Trophy, players' player, Amy Walker (Stainburn); CSHA Trophy, most improved player, Zoee Thompson (Nelson Thomlinson); captain, Ruth Davis (Casterton). Boys: Yewbarrow Garage Trophy, most valuable player, David Mawdsley (Ulverston Victoria); Glenn Smurthwaite Trophy, players' player, David Haynes (St Anne's); Cumberland Building Society Trophy, most improved player, Michael Jupp; captain, David Haynes (St Anne's).

Under-16. Girls: E.H. Booth Trophy, most valuable player, Michelle Lefton (St Anne's) and Hannah Sherlock (Caldew); President's Trophy, players' player, Melanie Whalley (Kirkbie Kendal) and Claire Munday (Kirkbie Kendal); W.F. Cleaning Services Trophy, most improved player, Caley Parnell (Dallam); captain, Hannah Sherlock (Caldew).

Boys. Under-17: Cumbria Umpires Association Trophy, most valuable player, Tom Morgan; Windermere Hockey Club Trophy, players' player, Robert Thomas (Trinity School); Hadwins, Lindale, Trophy, most improved player, Sam Patton, Cockermouth; captain, Adam Lewis.

Under-18 Girls: Netherwood Hotel Trophy, most valuable player, Julie Hope, Cockermouth; Chris Regan Trophy, players' player, Lisa Potter (Kirkby Stephen) and Catherine Sherlock. W.F. Sports Trophy, most improved player, Nicola Martindale (Queen Katherine); captain, Danielle Haynes (St Anne's).

May 16, 2003 09:30