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Hockey stars shine in national championships

Monday, 20 October 2025 07:20

The North Yorkshire U17 hockey team.

Two local hockey stars have represented their county at major national championships, marking an exciting new chapter for the sport.

Ripon Grammar pupils Aimee O’Dea, 17, and Oonagh Jackson, 16, just narrowly missed out on the National County Championship trophy when North Yorkshire was unlucky to lose in the final, having been unbeaten throughout the group stage.

After a 25-year absence, the prestigious tournament has been relaunched, bringing together the most talented U17 players from across the country.

North Yorkshire defeated Kent, Essex, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and West Yorkshire before losing to Hampshire, whom they had beaten in the group stages, 2-1 in the final.

Aimee and Oonagh said they were proud to represent North Yorkshire, stepping up to the pitch for this landmark return, which offered a rare and exciting opportunity to compete against unfamiliar opposition on a national stage.

Just under 50 squads represented 40 counties at the three-day event, held at Nottingham Hockey Centre, the country’s premier hockey venue.

Aimee, from North Yorkshire, who began playing hockey when she was six years old, said:

“The championship was tough but good fun and although the final was disappointing, we were proud that it was the only time we were defeated in the whole competition.”

The aspiring dentist added:

“It also taught us how to be resilient and keep our heads up in tough situations.”

Oonagh, from Harrogate, who started playing at 12 years old, added:

“The competition was very tough throughout the entire competition but especially in the final.

“And we had previously beaten the team in the group stages, so tensions were high.”

Also planning to study dentistry at university, she added that her ambition is to win the nationals this season.

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