The grass isn’t necessarily greener in Oliver. Especially when it’s approaching the middle of November!
But it is real, and that’s the type of home field advantage the Southern Okanagan Secondary School Hornets plan to utilize when they host the BC Schools Girls Field Hockey Championships this week.
That home field advantage became quite apparent this past Monday when head coach Lesley Noftle had the girls practicing in near darkness and on the school’s grass field, now long past its prime growing season. The turf is hard and there’s not much give.
“In 1995, when I graduated, high school field hockey was still being played on grass. When SOSS hosted the provincial championships here in Oliver in 1999, field hockey had become an artificial turf game. Until this year, that was the very last time the provincials were held on grass,” said Noftle. “Yet during the past 15 years, as large BC cities have put in more and more synturf fields, the game of field hockey has continued to be played in a few small cities and towns that haven’t a hope of playing on an artificial grass field at home. Penticton, Summerland, Rossland, Oliver, Trail, Nelson and Castlegar, as well as a couple of spots in the Fraser Valley and on Vancouver Island, are the outposts where field hockey is still being played despite the divots, mounds, mud, and thick, ball-enveloping green stuff. I’m proud that our program has continued – and continued to be strong, despite the lack of turf.”
SOSS successfully defended its valley title two weeks ago, the 12th title in the school’s history.
Starting Thursday, the Hornets will host 11 of the best girls field hockey teams in the province
“Since I started playing in Grade 8, field hockey has become a very important part of my life. My coaches, Lesley Noftle and Ian Gibson, have supported me from the beginning with the sport, and have encouraged me to play at a higher level,” says Brianna Agostinho, who represented BC in a national tournament in Calgary this past summer. “I cannot express enough how special it is to be hosting the Provincial Championships this year. It is the perfect ending to mine, as well as the other graduating girls, high school field hockey careers. We are all very excited to have the support of the community, and hope to perform as well as possible in the tournament.”
Grade 12 player Jenna Bower has pushed herself to a higher level, and recently represented Canada in the Field Hockey National World Wide of Sports, where she won gold.
“Field hockey has always been very important to me. I would do anything for the sport,” said Bower, who won’t play in the championships due to recent knee surgery, but will be there cheering on her teammates. “This was very important to me, as this year would have been my fifth playing for my school. I have only dreamed of this moment and it is finally coming true. I am very proud of my team and grateful for our town’s support.”
As for the sport itself, what was a huge learning curve is paying off for players such as graduating star Cheryce Martine.
“As soon as I started playing field hockey in Grade 8 – frustrating as it may be – I knew it was going to be an amazing experience. Every year of high school started off with our season, and each year was exciting and I learned more every year. Playing on the senior team was focused on one main goal every year – provincials,” says Martine. “This is the first time in 15 years provincials has been hosted on grass rather than artificial turf. To be hosting provincials at home in our Grade 12 year is the best way I could imagine to end five years of field hockey at SOSS.”
For Savanna Rowe, playing in the provincials at home will give her team a huge advantage.
“I’m so glad I get to share it with my friends and family. It’s going to be great to have everyone’s support and to be able to hear them cheer us on from the sidelines,” stressed Rowe. “We do have one advantage that most of the other teams do not, grass. The private schools are used to playing on turf, so it will be a surprise for them to try and dribble on bumpy grass. Our team on the other hand plays on grass all season long! After coming third in provincials two years ago, I realize how intense and exciting provincials can be. I believe we have a group of amazing girls this year who will hopefully kick some butt at provincials!”
Let the games begin
Action begins Thursday at 8:30 a.m., with games taking place at both SOSS fields, along with Tuc-el-nuit Elementary School.
In Pool B action, the Hornets face Brentwood Thursday at 10 a.m. (SOSS) and Collingwood at 12:30 p.m. (TEN). On Friday, the Hornets take on Southridge at 8 a.m. (SOSS).
Pool A teams include Crofton, Rockridge, LV Rogers and Glenlyon Norfolk.
Pool C teams include St. Michaels, GW Graham, Little Flower, and Okanagan Mission.
Playoff games take place Friday afternoon and Saturday. Gold and bronze medal games begin Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at SOSS.
Dale Cory
Oliver Chronicle
