IN THE growing sport of underwater hockey, a group of junior Isle of Wight Underwater Hockey Club (IWUHC) players were invited to join a regional team in a national competition in the Midlands.

The contingent of 11 juniors were part of Team South East, which comprised players from across the South East — including Southampton, Bournemouh, West Wickham, St Albans and Guildford — who competed at the Perdiswell Leisure Centre, Worcester, recently. 

The Islanders, based at the Waterside Community Pool in Ryde, competed in the U11, U14 and U16 categories. 

"Competition was fierce against regional teams, drawn from across England, which provided very tough games," said Tim Cockayne, on behalf of the IWUHC. 

For five of the Island and a coach, the event was their competitive debut. 

"Though Team South East didn't achieve the results they'd hoped for, it was a fantastic day, with a great amount of experience gained by our players," Tim added.