The South Delta Sun Devils have emerged from a year-long hiatus with a youthful line-up and not exactly sure what the 2021 high school field hockey season is going to look like.
Under longtime head coach Neil McLennan, the Sun Devils have been training for the past three weeks out of Holly Park in Ladner while turf replacement continues at their regular pitch at Winskill Park.
The COVID-19 pandemic likely cost the program another serious run at the provincial podium as a group of talented Grade 12s never did get a chance to play their final season.
Now, McLennan is working with a roster loaded with Grade 10s, and just four seniors, that is about to commence on a limited South Fraser AAA regular season schedule.
“We have lost a lot of very talented players but that’s okay. It’s high school field hockey and (that’s what it’s all about),” said McLennan in his 24th season at the helm. “For me it’s always about what the girls get out of it. I still like working with kids. You hope they will listen and they will learn. There are a lot of funny details to learn about this game.
“(After not playing last year) a lot of the (field hockey) schools are suffering a little bit because you just lose the momentum of kids joining and learning.”
COVID-related travel restrictions will limit the program’s typical travel schedule.
The Bridgman Cup in Victoria, considered the most prestigious high school tournament of the season, has already been cancelled. The Sun Devils still hope to be on Vancouver Island this weekend for the John Ferreira Tournament in Duncan, however, McLennan is awaiting for approval. Currently Delta school teams are not allowed to stay overnight for tournaments or exhibition games.
“We could make two day trips in a row but that’s a lot of time on the ferry. I’m not sure that’s effective use of our time,” continued McLennan. “Duncan is also hosting provincials (Nov. 10 to 12) this year and apparently they could make an exception (of being able to travel) for that. But (after last year) you really don’t know. Community sports and school sports have different rules. You just hope for the kids that we get a chance to play.”
The bulk of the Sun Devils roster have played together at the community club level with the Delta Falcons. The team has also welcomed a pair of international students from Germany.
Joining South Delta in the South Fraser AAA League are Sullivan Heights, Panorama Ridge, Lord Tweedsmuir and Tamanawis.
