North Wilts Hockey Club are celebrating a double first.

After months of preparation the club, which has more than 50 playing adult members and 30 juniors, have been awarded England Hockey's prestigious First Accreditation.

This award will enable the club to receive local and national sports grants to allow them to develop the club further.

Secretary Steve Pratt said much of the credit should go to chairman Neil Buckley, the club's business advisor Roger Dunham, and the committee.

Pratt himself has been promoted to a level 2 hockey umpire, which will enable him to handle matches in the South West Wessex Premier League.

Pratt, who lives in Wootton Bassett with wife Helen, has been umpiring for 10 years and will use his new qualification to assist the younger umpires develop their vocation within the club.

The club will be holding their annual meeting on Tuesday, April 22, at Swindon Rugby Club, starting at 8pm.

The club is also looking to strengthen squads for next season, and new members are welcome to attend.

n THE club will be running its annual mini hockey tournament for under 13 and under 11 years of age boys and girls at the Dorcan Leisure Centre, St Pauls Drive , Swindon, on Sunday, March 30, from 10am to 4pm.

Schools and clubs have been invited from all over Wiltshire to take part in this annual event organised by North Wilts Youth Hockey Director Richard Hopping.

More details from Steve Pratt on 01793 855515 or 07775897200.

n North Wilts held a triangular tournament at the Dorcan Leisure Centre for under 15-year-old girls.

Teams from Chippenham and Marlborough were invited to attend and entertained parents and spectators to three games of hockey.

Although the weather was extremly cold all the teams who took part enjoyed the tournament, organised by the club's Director of Youth Development, Richard Hopping.

Although beaten by more experienced teams containing several county players, North Wilts put up crediable performances especially in their last match against Marlborough.

Stars of the tournament were Daniele Hopping, Beth McKendrick and Georgie Foster.