THE coach of Kingsbridge and Salcombe Hockey Club's girls' team has thanked the Gazette for putting them on the map.

Ashley Wyeth has said our coverage of the club's exploits has contributed to their success, attracting new players, pictured above, and increasing supporter numbers.

He paid particular tribute to us for our successful appeal via the newspaper and Twitter in September for a new goalkeeper to replace the departed Beth Durrans, which resulted in Hayley Russell becoming the club's new custodian.

Wyeth said: 'Kingsbridge and Salcombe Hockey Club have developed considerably over the last four years from a small, local side playing a series of friendly Sunday league games, to a Petroc Division 1 side with two Devon Trophy wins under their belt.

'The higher profile of the Cougars following their recent league and cup successes has been supported throughout by the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Gazette, whose weekly coverage has helped to attract further new recruits and create more enquiries about involvement with the club. The support of the Gazette in raising the profile of the club has put the Cougars on the map locally, attracting new players, raising supporter numbers and helping to secure a replacement keeper, Hayley Russell, in record time.'

The Cougars are delighted that they can call on a steady stream of precocious talent thanks to their links with Kingsbridge Community College.

Wyeth said: 'Players continue to progress through Kingsbridge Community College and join the club while still at school, following in the footsteps of Chloe and Gemma Harvey, Sarah Cullen and Bex Darke.  This year's debutants include Mara Roberto and Emily Read, who have now made several league appearances for the Cougars and promise to be strong players in the future.

'Freya Pearce and Vicky Winzer have recently joined the club, too, bringing with them strong skills built while playing through school and university.

'Hannah Durrans has followed in her sister Beth's footsteps and joined the club early in the season, making her league debut recently for KS. Another new recruit who not only brings some self-confessed slightly rusty hockey skills, but also a wealth of physical and technical sporting knowledge, is homegrown talent Vicky Rendle, of Quay Physio.

'Her highly qualified career in physiotherapy will link well with Bex Darke's degree in sports science and bring a new aspect to the training and skills on hand within the club.'

He went on: 'The current shining star among the Cougars' new players is goalkeeper Hayley Russell. After losing our old 'keeper when Beth Durrans moved on to follow her diving career in Mexico, we found ourselves without a goalkeeper for the start of the season.

'Being a specialised position, it takes co-ordination, courage and ability to pad up and face shots coming in at over 50 miles an hour, so 'keepers are highly sought-after within the game.

'With the help of the Gazette, an article was put together highlighting the club's search for a new 'keeper and several mentions were made over the following weeks' editions.

'Local lass Russell had been following the clubs progress and was soon in touch and attending training, making her league debut a week later after some great coaching by the Cougars' experienced ex-goalkeeper Jen Conquest.' The Cougars will not rest on their laurels despite the influx of new blood, Wyeth insisted.

He said: 'KS Cougars welcome anyone interested in training or joining and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supports the club, spectators and sponsors, and to the Gazette team for their ongoing coverage and involvement in promoting local.' Visit http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/kingsbridgesalcombehockeyclub">www.pitchero.com/clubs/kingsbridgesalcombehockeyclub for more information on the club, or email Wyeth at [email protected]">[email protected].