FIVE months into the 2017-18 season and Petersfield Hockey Club’s newly formed men’s third team have demonstrated plenty of determination as they have moved into adult hockey.

The squad combines youth players with the club’s experienced adult members, who mentor the youngsters throughout the match, nurturing the 14 and 15 year olds through the rigours of men’s league hockey.

Having won their under-14 division last season, this hard-core group of boys have stepped up to the mark and currently sit in fifth position in Hampshire Division 9 North (Men) with three months of the season remaining.

The team has earned some confident wins, and hard-fought draws, as well as suffering some losses.

The experience that this level of hockey offers the youth of Petersfield Hockey Club is a positive pathway to ensuring the club’s future, by developing a squad of young players that have the skill set to move up to the higher teams.

Once the hard work is done, the boy’s transition from junior to adult hockey includes the introduction to the long-standing tradition of the post-match tea, hosted each weekend by the Queen’s Head in Sheet – the perfect environment for team banter and the opportunity to be part of a hugely sociable, fast growing club.

Anyone who is interested in becoming part of the third team should visit www.petersfieldhockeyclub.co.uk or head along to Tuesday evening training sessions, which are held at Dunhurst School from 7pm to 8.15pm.