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Hikers’ preparations moving into top gear
Kaieteur Sport takes a look at the reigning Men’s champion of the Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Festival which runs from December 8-11 at the National Gymnasium.
Hikers Men
The Hikers Hockey Club Pepsi Men’s team is the most successful team in the history of the Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival. They lost in the inaugural final in 2004 to Ontario United of Canada, then won their first title in 2005, placed third in 2006, then reeled off three consecutive titles in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Over the past few years the team has been depleted due to the migration of key play makers Marc King, Alex Gouveia and Jerazeno Bell. Although the club’s heavy investment in their junior program has paid off with the emergence of several talented players, most of those players will be playing for the national under 21 squad in the Festival.
As such Gouveia and Bell have returned to strengthen the team, combined with the youthful legs of Robert France, Colonel Heywood and Rayon Branford they are expected to continue the Hikers tradition of high tempo entertaining hockey. The team has been prepared by national player Shane Samuels, who turned to coaching over the past few months while recovering from a serious knee injury.
Hikers Ladies. 
Once the queens of local hockey, the Woodpecker Products Hikers Ladies Team has never tasted success at the Diamond Mineral Water Festival. They have suffered severely from the unavailability of players due to academic commitments and migration.
Former national captain Latoya Fordyce is in her final year of medical school in Cuba, while current national captain Chantelle Fernandes and Janela Munroe are now working in England after completing their degrees at the London Metropolitan University where they were on hockey scholarships.
This year’s team is the youngest in recent memory with the likes of Allana McCullock, Renee James and Macaela Harding now expected to take on major roles in a team which will be led by the experienced trio of national players Avonda James, Vashema Bourne and Maria Munroe.
Hikers Vets (Hickers)
The Antonio’s Grille “Hickers” as they like to call themselves are the glue that has held the club together since its formation. Most of the players on this team were around when the club was initially formed in the early 90s as the Animals. They have never lost their love for the game, but have become more economical with their excretions in their recent years, preferring to save the magic for game time instead of using it up on the practice field.
Although they will be playing without their inspirational player coach Timothy McIntosh this year, the likes of Brian Asregado, Rene Edwards, George Melville and Azad DeAbreu are expected to lead the charge, both on and off the field.
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