Fantastic Grand Final Day 2013

What a fantastic day!  Grand Final Day, September 15 2013, turned out to be a momentous day for the Newtown City Hockey Club.

• 3 Premierships – including the First Ever D1 Men’s Premiership for the Club.
• John Stephenson Award Winner
• Most Improved Umpire Award Winner
• Hall of Fame Induction
• Life Membership of Hockey Geelong

The Division 1 Men Falcons team made history for the Club, winning the D1 Men’s Premiership for the first time since the Club first entered senior teams in 1978 – a fantastic achievement!!!  

The team finished the season on top of the ladder (12 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses) and were favourites to take out the Premiership flag.  The Grand Final was a fast game with great teamwork and passing, many scoring opportunities and near misses – 4 or 5 shots hitting the side of the net.  Great keeping meant neither team was able to dominate on the score board.  Torquay scored with only a few minutes to go in the game to tie the score at 2-2 at full time.

The match progressed to extra time, and golden goal scenario so the first goal scored would be the winning goal.  We were all on the edge of our seats, with no goals scored and with nails bitten to the quick, when AJ scored the winning goal – WITH 33 SECONDS TO GO in the second period of extra time.

 

Congratulations to all the players on such a wonderful result.  Thanks to Ryan Robson for the great job of coaching both the D1 Men and D1 Women this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D1 Men Newtown Falcons – Premiers 2013

 

Fantastic to note that 11 of the players in this team began playing hockey in Newtown’s junior teams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrations at the Pavilion at Lloyd Reserve were quiet but very happy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

U11 Maroon – Premiers 2013

 

The U11  Maroon team were presented with their Premiership Medals for the 2013 season.  The team had a great year, with 12 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss to finish in first position on the ladder and claim the Premiership.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The U15 White team capped off an undefeated season (10 wins, 2 draws) with wins in the Semi-Final and the Grand Final.

 

 

Thanks to Westy for coaching – a great season.

 

 

 

 

Great work Gus, Chris and Sean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luke Hatton was declared the Winner of the 2013 John Stephenson Award.  Congratulations Luke on this well deserved award, which recognises excellence in performance, commitment to hockey in Geelong, enthusiasm and sportsmanship.  Luke has had a very busy year which included umpiring at local, regional and National  Indoor levels.  He has played for Newtown and for Hockey Geelong, and been selected in the West Metro Wildcats and Hockey Victoria U17 Country Touring Teams.   Well done Luke and thanks for your efforts.

 

 

The Newtown Hockey Club is fortunate to have many proficient young umpires, and we congratulate Christian O’Halloran on being awarded the trophy for the Hockey Geelong 2013 Most Improved Umpire.  Great work Chriso.

 

Thanks to David Fitzgerald who guides and mentors many of our umpires.

 

 

 

Meg French has had a long and valued career in hockey, both with Newtown, and previously with Geelong Hockey Club.  Her fantastic contribution to hockey in Geelong as a player, with 530 games for the Newtown Hockey Club, was recognised when she was inducted into the Hockey Geelong Hall of Fame.

 

Meg is a Life Member of our Club and a Foundation Member – having joined the Newtown Hockey Club in 1978 when senior teams were first entered to represent the Club.

Well done Meg.

 

David Fitzgerald – Life Member Hockey Geelo

Congratulations to David Fitzgerald who was awarded Life Membership of Hockey Geelong.  David has contributed much to hockey in Geelong administratively and on the field – with Newtown Hockey Club, South Barwon Hockey Club, and with Hockey Geelong in the Masters Teams and the co-ordination of umpires.  Thanks David for your efforts – well done.

 

Overall – a very enjoyable day and a great finish to the 2013 season.