Junior Bees Buzz in the Single System
Junior Bees have been buzzing for England and their JACs this season.
Following their successful selection for the NAGs (National Age Group Squads) Beeston Juniors played for England at the 4 Nations Tournaments held at Easter. England U18 Boys, Gold Medal Winners, Chris Proctor and Dan Darby; England U18 Girls, Bronze Medal Winners, kim Leiper; England U16 Boys, Bronze Medal Winners, Aaron Hibell and Monty Jefferson; England U16 Girls, 4th place, Erica Sanders.
More recently England took part in the UK School Games which were held in the Olympic Park. Chris and Dan played for the U18 Boys, Kim was joined by Meg Byas and Maddie Sharpe in the U18 Girls' teams and Aaron played for the U16 Boys. There was no U16 Girls event.
Meanwhile back in the Midlands the JAC squads were announced and over 100 Beeston juniors were selected for Notts, Derbys, Leics and Lincs JACs. After weeks of training and friendly fixtures the Midlands JAC Tournaments took place with the following results:
U17 Boys - This was won by Notts who beat Leics in the semi finals and Staffs in the final. Notts were coached by Clive Morris and the squad contained 13 Bees Derryl R, Charlie P, Cellan Griffiths, Ashley B, Luke C, James Sh, Alex B, Tom M, Will T, Josh W, Kartar S, Charlie D and Sam L. George E and Harry L played for Leics.
U17 Girls - disappointingly this was cancelled on the day due to adverse weather, evryone else played though! 16 Beeston Girls were selected for either Notts or Derbys that day. Over in the East Naomi C played in the most successful Lincs team for several years winning 4 of their 6 matches.
U15 Boys - Notts lost to Staffs in the final after two key players had been injured, Leics finished 3rd. Notts Bees = Sam A, James B, Alex C, Tom H, Elliot H, Yiannos K, Henry M, Tom N, Aum P, Josh P and Max S. Leics Bees = Tom G, Cameron D and Ed S.
U15 Girls - This was won by Notts coached by Chris Glover and Sophie Johnson. 11 Bees were in the victorious Notts squad Brooke B, Liv H, Sophia L, Lauren W, Sophie B, Olivia D, Libby G, Louise H, Alice H, Zoe B and Claire N. Alice M, Marcee B and Olivia H played for Leics who narrowly failed to make the semi finals.
U13 Boys - Notts lost to Warwicks in the final. Notts Bees = Gareth Griffiths, Yaseen K, Henry Ed, Fred H, James So, Andrew L, Callan H, Sebastiano C, Joe L and Jamie E.
U13 Girls - Notts won beating Warwicks in the semi final and Staffs in the final, both on penalties! In goal for Notts was Phoebe B and the other Bees were Pippa W, Abi S, Ellie J, Grace E, Jess H, Niamh E, Rebekah K, Katharine F and Nina A. Emilia K, Grace J and Izzie E all played for Derbys and Izzie was voted Derbys U13 players' player of the season.
Only Leics take part in the U16 Girls event, they finished 3rd and Lauren P played. Derbys and Leics take part in the U14 events. Alicia T, Paige G, Zoe C, Kate W, Mollie TD, Olivia B and Hattie E played for Derbys U14 Girls who were coached by Amanda Gillot and finished 3rd. Henry K played for Derbys U14 Boys; Tom Sc and AJ S played for Leics U14 Boys and Evie P played for Leics U14 Girls. Alicia T was coaches player of the season and Zoe C players' player of the season for Derbys U14 Girls.
JAC coaches will now send their assessments of their squads to the Midlands and some players will be offered JRPC assessments over the summer.