Welcoming the players, officials and representatives from the Ulster Women’s Hockey Union to Parliament Buildings, Sports Minister Edwin Poots said: “Sport in Northern Ireland, and indeed the whole of Ireland, has always brought out the best in our communities. Whenever a team is successful we all celebrate.
“This season has been excellent for the four Ulster Women’s Hockey teams after having completed a clean sweep with the Under 16’s, Under 18’s, Under 21’s and Senior teams winning all four inter-provincial tournaments. This is the first time that women’s hockey in Ulster has achieved this tremendous success,”he said.
Edwin Poots continued: “Success stories like this will encourage young people to emulate the success already achieved by the Ulster Women’s Hockey and participate in sport. I understand that 11 members of the senior squad are now in the Irish National Squad.”
The Minister paid tribute to the work undertaken behind the scenes by the managers, coaches and parents who help out and by the sports governing bodies and administrators who all contributed to making the success possible.
“We need to build on these successes. The Sports Institute for Northern Ireland (SINI) plays a significant role in the development of hockey and other sports at the highest level and I hope to make a statement to the Assembly in the near future about the new draft Sports Strategy which will contribute to shaping the future of sport in Northern Ireland. This can only help our sportsmen and women to further success.
“My best wishes for every success go to the Ulster Women’s Hockey Union for next year and the years that lie beyond that as well.”
Notes to Editors:
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