#MeeTheTeam: Division Three Women
This year, we are starting a #MeetTheTeam series. Every month we’ll introduce you to a couple of our teams that take the turf every 2021 Winter weekend to battle it out for the win. This month’s team is the… AISC Division Three Women.
Author: Priya Dahya
The AISC Division Three Women’s team is the only senior women’s team in the Club.
Last year, our women’s team fought their way to battle for a spot in the final with an aim to move into the grade above. Our team played their hearts out in a semi-final, which saw the score tied at full-time. Our ladies went into shoot-outs and were unfortunate to come away with a heartbreaking loss.
This year, the ladies are back, with fire in their eyes and it is hotter than ever!
The season is about three quarters of the way through now and me oh my, the ladies have been doing exceptionally. So far, the ladies are unbeaten, and have left all their games so far with the W.
Things are looking good so far and the team is eager to continue the trek to secure that top spot and move into the following grade.
We are very fortunate to have the services of AISC Vice-President and Premier Men’s finest, Miten“Miteneats” Patel as our coach.
Miten brings a calm energy and wisdom to our team and has taught the ladies some valuable skills.
Away from the hockey turf, he is an avid foodie, particularly dabbling in Asian cuisine. Give him a follow on his YouTube channel here and follow his Instagram here.
The Team:
Priya Kanji (C): Priya Kanji is just one of the many Priya’s in the D3W team. A long-time member of the Club, Kanji is an absolute THREAT to opposing strikers. Although her regular position is as full-back, Kanji has also been training and playing as a goalkeeper (and killing it!). A girl with many talents.
Salina Kanji: Another long-time member of the Club. Salina is another of our fearless defenders. The one player in our team who is stronger using one hand on the stick than two – it’s her speciality.
Alisha Bhana: Alisha is one of our newer members of the Club, having joined last season. Playing as a halve, don’t be fooled by her smiling face and petite build, I once heard she bumped off a grown man at summer hockey…
Pritika Patel: Long-time member of the Club, Pritika was still in her Youth years when she made the decision to transition to Senior hockey several years ago. A stellar player, who puts her body on the line. Just stop injuring your teammates at training, Pritika.
Rasmita Patel: Another loyal Club member, Rasmita holds it down as one of our midfielders. Although not a runner or a track star, Rasmita knows how to get through the opposition and send the ball into our circle.
Chhaya Naran: Another loyal member, returned to the Club last season. Notorious for standing her ground, she’s a force not to be reckoned with. With one of the crispest hits, the girl knows her way around the turf and is one to watch out for. She loves to have yarns with the refs during the game.
Rajveer Nijjer (VC): Our UK champ! Raj is another loyal member to the Club, having joined several years ago. Raj is cool, calm and collected and has dribbling skills to get through a sea of players like no other.
Priya Kesha: Long time AISC member and another one of the Priya’s! Kesha is another one to watch out for. This girl knows how to tackle and is a hard one to get past. Playing as one of our insides, she’s always there for the rebounds and helping the team get the dub.
Jinal Patel: Jinal returned to the Club last year, after returning from her out of town studies. Playing as one of our strikers, she’s in the right place at the right time. Catch her hydrating with coconut water on the sideline – boujee!
Mitika Patel: Back this season after a break away from hockey, we are ecstatic to have M back. M is one of our persistent strikers, who knows how to move the ball.
Aditi Patel: Another one of our players who is back this season after taking a break from the game. Aditi is a quick striker and like her sisters – Jinal and Mitika, is in the right place at the right time and knows how to move the ball.
Hetal Patel: Another returnee, Hetal is one of our strikers. If you’re a defender and Hetal is taking a shot, watch out. This girl has a wicked hit and is a go to for our PCs.
Saloni Kamble: New to the Club, joining last season, Saloni is passionate about the game. As one of our strikers, she brings persistence and puts her body on the line – perhaps a bit too much at times, stay on your feet, girl!
Priya Dahya: Long time member and another Priya. This Priya aka Dahya, comes to the game with an old injury and leaves with a new one. Priya seizes every opportunity she can to bust out a reverse stick hit, some pancakes, some not.
We would like to say a big thank you to the following people for their continued support and assistance to our team:
Beena Bhana (GK) – An absoloute legend in the goal, Beena knows how to hold it down in the back. Beena has been very kind to join our team as required, when we need a goalie – thanks Beena, we appreciate you!
Youth Girls: Maya Patel, Chaniqa Pancha, Yashani Bhana, Dhanika Patel, Sharnia Dahya, Jenisha Patel.
These group of young ladies have been joining us as required and are ones to watch out for! A mix of defenders, midfielders and strikers, these girls bring a level of skill like no other. We are so grateful and proud of the way these Youth Girls have stepped up to the plate and can’t wait to play alongside them on a regular basis in the future.
Nav Kesha – Loyal supporter and previous coach to many of the ladies in our team throughout their Youth years and even in the Senior Division. Nav Kesha or Nav Kaka as we all say, very kindly helps the team when our Coach, Miten, is unable to make it to our games. Thanks for all your help, Nav kaka!
To our supporters, thank you for coming out each week and showering us with your support… or criticism (Anil kaka).
For more info on draws and results, click here.