Flashback!!! - The victorious GCC U-21 Ladies Hockey Team pose after winning the title last year.
The Georgetown Cricket Club’s (GCC) under-21 indoor ladies hockey team jets of to the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago today to compete in this year’s annual Carib Magnolias Indoor Hockey Tournament.
The youthful group is making their second appearance in as many years to compete in the tournament and surprised all in their international debut last year by capturing the winner’s trophy.
Despite their young ages, ranging from just 14 to 20 years, the under-21 girls have been competing in local competitions as a team under the name of GCC Spartans for the last three years.
According to Coach Philip Fernandes, the group is much stronger this year, having yet another year of hockey under their belts, but quickly added that the opposition must have do so as well so he is expecting a tough tournament.
“The girls benefited in their previous visit from being an unknown group coming from Guyana which has not been in regular international competition for many years,” Fernandes pointed out
He disclosed that the advantage of being underestimated is no longer there since this year they’re returning as the defending champs.
The GCC girls will have the handicap of being the youngest squad in the competition and also having to play all their games on one weekend of the scheduled two due to logistics.
When asked about their chances, however, Fernandes expressed optimism, stating that the team possesses several players of quality, including some who already trains with the national squad.
The squad is made up of Captain Trisha Woodroffe, Anastacia Sardinha, Ashley DeGroot, Briawna Gordon, Dominique DeGroot, Gabriella Xavier, Kelly-Ann Latchman, Thalia Fiedtkou, Marzana Fiedtkou, Odessa Grogan and Alysa Xavier.
Tricia Fiedtkou will serve as Manager.