2024 started with the Annual NZISA under 23 Tournament down in Christchurch over a sunny weekend in Feb. This year head coach Stephen Jenness selected a squad with Experienced heads and Exciting up & coming youth to represent AISC.
Our 1st game was up against old Rivals Pukekohe Indians (PISC) as always it was a hard fought Battle between the 2 clubs with AISC coming out winners 4 - 2.
With a short turn around the 2nd game of the day was against Wellington Indians (WISC) a much closer affair then the previous game and some great skill on show by both teams WISC came away with the win 3-1.
Day 2 was a similar format as day 1 playing WISC and PISC again. In with a chance to lift the u23 trophy saw a fairly early start with an 8am tip off and the boys nursing a few sore heads, saw us play PISC 1st up the boys dug deep and got a 3-1 Win which kept us in the hunt. A short turn around and a quick trip to the local mall for maccas to fuel the boys through for their final game. Given the result from Day 1 WISC was not to be taken lightly and that proved to be the case on Day 2, requiring a 2 goal margin to ensure the bonus point the boys played some of their best Hockey of the weekend coming out victorious 4-1.
Now in the box seat and atop the table and one game left to play between PISC & WISC. We needed our old rivals PISC to Win, Draw or only lose by 1 goal. Unfortunately the result didn't go our way with WISC proving too strong and winning 6-2. Finishing on 1st equal with 12 points with 3 wins 1 loss along side WISC wasn't enough with WISC having a more superior goal difference saw them Winning the title.
Congratulations to Armani Punga on being selected as MVP- for AISC. Congratulations to the following who were selected in the tournament team - Raanik Patel, Aarun Patel, Hamesh Govind, Armani Punga, Rahul Naickar, Jayden Dahya & Yash Kushal.
A big thanks to Suresh Wallabh and his team at NZISA on organising a great weekend - a u23 1st with all the teams staying at Christchurch University and a mix & mingle evening on the Saturday ensured all involved interacted with each other both on & off the field, creating some new friendships and fueling some new rivalries between AISC, PISC and WISC for year to come.
Deelan Patel - Manager.
