BY LEE MAGINNIS
REBEKAH Lennon had just begun celebrating promotion to the highest hockey league in Ireland last month, when she received a message informing her that she had been awarded Local Women Sport’s Hockey Player of the Year at our third annual gala held in Belfast’s Europa Hotel.
Her club, Portadown Ladies, had just beaten Monkstown at an arena in South Dublin, to secure their place for next season in the top tier of the EY All Ireland hockey league, so unfortunately Rebekah was unable to collect her award in person.
It has been a season to remember for her, also captaining her school, Portadown College, to a Belfast Telegraph Schools Cup victory and second place in the Kate Russell All Ireland Schools tournament.
Rebekah is flexible in position, normally playing in defence but also happy to slot into midfield. She has also been in international action for Ireland.
So when did it all begin for the Portadown star, who was also recently a recipient of Mary Peters Trust funding to help further her career?
“The first time I properly played was around P2, but I had a stick in my hand much earlier as I got one as a baby present,” Rebekah relates.
One would imagine that her parents had something to do with that.
Her dad, Ivor, used to play rugby, but now coaches hockey and heads up the Ulster Pumas development programme. Rebekah’s mum, Alison, also used to play for Portadown Ladies Hockey Club.
And sister Rachel is a current player at the club and former player at Portadown College.
There’s little hesitation when Rebekah is asked what her highlights of 2024-2025 have been and it’s a long list!
“Winning the Schools Cup and coming second in the Kate Russell All Irelands with Portadown College; getting promoted to EY1 with Portadown Ladies Hockey Club; captaining Ulster and winning the interprovincial series and the UK School Games with Ulster U18s; captaining Ireland U18s in a three-match series against England, and beating Australia U18s 5-1 in Germany.”
She went on to say: “This season has probably been my most successful season to date so my career highlights are probably the same as this season’s highlights.
“But especially winning the Schools Cup with Portadown College, getting promoted three years in a row with Portadown Ladies Club which culminated with us getting to the highest league in Ireland. Also making the Irish U18s a year early last year, and travelling to play in Belgium, France and Spain.”
When she was younger, Rebekah used to enjoy volleyball, netball and athletics. With the time commitments of her hockey career now, she has largely had to forgo other sports in recent years.
So, what is it about hockey that Rebekah enjoys the most? “Definitely the people, I have made some of my closest friends through the sport and they make training even more enjoyable. If it wasn’t for hockey I would never have met them.
“My favourite training is match play or 1v1s because it’s competitive and sometimes I get to attack. Least favourite is definitely fitness testing.”
The season is not over yet for Rebekah. There is still Ireland duty as she explains: “We train nationally and regionally and there is also a strength and conditioning programme to follow. We are in Scotland in July this summer for the U18 Europeans and our goal is to be promoted back up to the A division.”
She is also very busy with her school, currently enduring exams in May weather which doesn’t really encourage studies!
“I am in Year 13 studying Biology, Chemistry, Nutrition and Food Science and Sports Science. At the minute I don’t know what degree or job I would like to do, only that I want it to be centred around Biology/Chemistry,” Rebekah adds.
But when it comes to hockey, the Local Women Sport Player of the Year is much clearer about her ambitions, insisting: “I aim to move through the age groups and make Ireland U21s in the near future.
“My long-term goal is to work towards earning a place on the senior international women’s team. I know there’s a lot of hard work and competition, but it’s something I’m aiming for.”
Rebekah in Ireland action
