The club's publicity officer Roxanne Gwyn-Kabayama said that the carnival was the culmination of the academy development scholarship program that sees high level coaching for athletes aged 15-18 years of age in their chosen stream of sport.

"Our kids were exposed to high level competition against all the other academies from across NSW. This is where Hockey NSW can look at the pool and keep a close eye on the talent coming through the ranks," she said.

"The level of play was high and the kids managed to learn a lot. Not only did they get the opportunity to implement everything they have been learning at the academy, they also got to experience a level of competition that is not often seen at club level."

The Hunter Academy had two boys and one girls team in their hockey scholarship program this year and they all performed well, with each Hunter team making it through to the finals.

Unfortunately, none of the teams were able to go all the way.

Nelson Bay's Kai Kabayama and Flynn Thompson were nominated as MVPs for their respective teams and earned the well deserved praise of competition organisers.

Cathy Churchill, vice -president and training coordinator, said that having two Bay boys nominated as MVPs showed the quality of players and games that they are used to playing at the Bay, "where good sportsmanship is always encouraged and modelled by our seniors, coaches and players alike".

"Nelson Bay Hockey is proud of the juniors who progress through the ranks and go on to play at such high levels. Our hockey program accepts kids from five years upwards. Some of them choose to take their game further and it really does us proud when we see what they achieve at regional and state levels. We are just a small club but we have a long history of providing quality players to the Newcastle competitions, as well as those that continue on to state levels."

Plagued by wet weather, Nelson Bay Hockey Club has had its first two rounds cancelled due to rain.

"We are really looking forward to finally kicking off the 2021 winter competition on Saturday, April 24, with a Come-And-Try day for all age groups, levels and abilities."

For more details call Cathy on 0432 761 651.

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