Rising hockey stars top sporting awards

Two Wairarapa rising hockey stars are sticking to it after receiving top honours.
Wairarapa College students Shane Hodgkiss and Kellie Browne were presented with the sportsman and sportswoman award at the Wairarapa Hockey Association prizegiving.
Wairarapa College sports co-ordinator Ashley Peterson said they both play for the school's first XI hockey teams with both teams this year playing in the highest ranked grade for secondary school hockey.
"Kellie captains the girls' first XI that plays in the Federation Cup. The college is one of two teams in New Zealand that has continuously been in the Federation cup since 1992, so it's a very high honour." Kellie was also selected for the Wellington Under-21 team this year, he said.
Wairarapa College boys' first XI has kept it in the family with Shane in the team and his father, Tony, taking on the role of coach, Mr Peterson said.
"The college plays in the premier one Wellington competition and they won it this year along with the Rankin Cup secondary school competition."
Earlier this year Shane was selected to represent New Zealand in the under 16-hockey team, he said.
Having two students from the same school take out the two top spots for Wairarapa Hockey is really something to be proud of, Mr Peterson said.
"It's pretty unique for the school to have this happen and given that hockey is the sport that the college really shines in, it's fantastic for two great players to be rewarded."