Guyana women’s hockey team once regarded as a force to reckon with in the region, will be looking to reclaim former glory at the forthcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Puerto Rico in July.

The women’s hockey squad undergoing a fitness training session yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground. (Orlando Charles photo)

Twenty-nine players called up by the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) are entering their second week of training at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground.

It will be a welcomed return to top class international competition as the GHB propels its women’s programme in keeping with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) drive to popularise women’s hockey worldwide.

Guyana has never been represented at the CAC Games and the team’s last international outing was two years ago at the Caribbean Hockey Cup in Trinidad and Tobago where the side finished at the bottom of the table in the four-nation tournament.

Guyana once dominated women’s hockey back in the 1960s, `70’s and `80’s against formidable competitors such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas and Jamaica before the sport slumped locally in the `90’s.

Local hockey officials are optimistic that this crop of players can restore lost pride.

Philip Fernandes, GHB President and head coach of the squad said it is an excellent opportunity for the players to compete at the CAC level.

However, assistant coach Rawl Davson, who was on Guyana’s men’s team to the CAC Games in 1993, said it would be a tough assignment for the players since all the competing nations have artificial pitches.

Fernandes said there are challenges to the team training at the GCC ground and noted that plans are in place for the training sessions to switch to the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue in addition to a few sessions in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago.

“In the preparation schedule between February and July, the squad is required to travel to Trinidad and Tobago on weekend trips to familiarize themselves with hockey on an artificial pitch. This increases the cost of preparation and attendance at the games significantly,” Fernandes disclosed.

He said the coaching staff considered training on an artificial pitch critical if the team is to perform well at the tournament. According to Fernandes the schedule includes training sessions three days during the week with an additional weekend day set aside for practice matches. The players in training are: Alysa Xavier, Tonza Sarrabo, Natalie Hing, Tracey Atkinson, Jonelle Webster, Tricia Woodroffe, Sonia Gordon, Tiffany Solomon, Vanessa Pires, Wendy Boodhoo, Vashema Bourne, Tricia Fiedtkou, Marzena Fiedtkou, Thalia Fiedtkou, Makini Harry, Marisha Rodrigues,  Sonia Jardine, Shondell Durant, Maria Munroe, Chantelle Fernandes, Cora Towler, Amanda Garnett, Brenette Gordon, Ulrica Sutherland, Carol Caine, Gabriella Xavier, Dominique DeGroot, Kerensa Fernandes and Avonda James.

The CAC Games will take place from July 22-31 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.