Welcome to the 2021 hockey season.
The 2021 hockey season began on April 24, with a lovely sunny morning, and plenty of smiling faces, happy to be back playing hockey with friends and family.
Under 6 Joeys
The U6 program was not able to operate in 2020, so it was especially pleasing to see the enthusiastic return of so many players for this hockey season. We began with a game of Traffic Lights, and Addison, Claire, Alexander, Jude, Edward, Mattias, Zachary, Grace and Florence all showed great dribbling skills.
Under 8 Mixed
- Newtown Strikers vs Newtown Spirit
The U8 Strikers team led by Maggie started the hockey season playing with excellent sportsmanship, positivity and energy. The team all tried their best with some excellent passing and encouragement. Oscar showed great determination with his 2nd and 3rd efforts and scored a tremendous goal, whilst Georgia also kept chasing and tackling hard. After a fast break from the opposition, Casper sprinted back and stopped their attack with a fantastic tackle, well done Casper.
Coach Maggie was very pleased with the teams’ efforts encouraging all players to try and spread out in future games. Keep up the great attitude Strikers!
- Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers
The game began with Spirit players generally spreading out well, but not yet used to the strategies of the game and the need to move the ball quickly. Excellent defence and strong hitting by Lucas propelled the ball into attack for Spirit, and created goal scoring opportunities. In the second half, players began to move to the ball and to space and Heidi offered some good passing opportunities for her team mates and then carried the ball forward. Olivia and Mitchell showed great vision, looking for effective passes to team mates. Immy and Nina gained confidence and put pressure on the opposition when they had the ball, allowing Spirit to regain possession on occasion.
Best Team Player Awards to Lucas and Heidi.
Under 10 Mixed
- Newtown Strikers vs Newtown Spirit 9-0
It was great to see that everybody enjoyed being back on Saturday mornings, and it was a very good first match from everyone. The younger kids in the team already showed great skills and passing. It was good to see that a lot of different kids had a chance to score a goal. Special mentions go to Braxton (in his first U10 game!) for his hard work and Audrey for her great passing. Well done everyone!
- Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 0-9
The Newtown Spirit team fronted up for the first game with enthusiasm but also a few nerves as many of the players had not played much hockey (if any) before, and not at the U10 level.
The team settled to their task but the crowded conditions made it difficult to distribute the ball well. Newtown Spirit was forced to defend under the constant pressure applied by the Strikers team, especially in our defensive 25 yards area. The midfield defence of Patrick, Mai and Lilly worked hard to stop the Strikers’ advance but a tendency to pass to the middle instead of the wings allowed Strikers to regain possession.
Hamish and Ved worked hard to help in defence and to move the ball forward for Spirit. In the second half, Poppy moved to midfield and this proved successful, as she blocked a number of forward moves from Strikers.
Best Team Player awards to Ved and Poppy.
Under 12 Mixed
- Newtown Strikers vs Geelong Jaguars 6-0
Despite having only 8 players, Strikers came out firing in their first round match. Charlotte from Newtown Spirit kindly stepped in as goalkeeper and Geelong Jaguars kindly loaned the team two strong players. With a full compliment of players, Strikers were quick to apply pressure to the Jaguars defence. There was some great passing through the mid field and a good use of space on the wings. It wasn’t long before Strikers opened the scoring and goals followed from Bella, Baxter and Jacob.
Strikers were pretty solid in defence and on the few occasions they were tested Charlotte made some great saves in goal. There were lots of positive to take away from this first match but the team will continue to work on their passing, hitting and penalty corners, as well as building their match stamina after the long break. Keep up the good work Strikers!
- Under 12 Spirit – Bye
Under 14 Mixed
- Under 14 Strikers vs Golden Plains 3-1
What a good start to the 2021 hockey season with a 3 to 1 win over Golden Plains for our U14 Strikers. It was wonderful to have the supporters back on the sidelines. It was the first time a lot of these kids have played together as a team, and they did well.
There was really good offence by the Adrian and Eoin with the first goal to Adrian. Great passing and positioning by Serena and Peri, and good passing down the line by Kye featured.
The strong defence by Thamindu and Leo on the backline, left our Goal Keeper, Elliott with not a lot of work to do. Chloe worked hard, particularly in the second half. Strikers forced 12 short corners, with great offensive play. Two quick goals in the last minutes of the game by Nate, gave Strikers the win.
- Newtown Spirit V Kardinia White 0-5
Welcome to all returning and new players for the 2021 Winter hockey season. This was a great team effort by everyone but Kardinia were too strong on the day. Hamish and Amelia worked very hard in defence and Lachlan showed great skills and teamwork in attack.
Under 17 Mixed
- Newtown Spirit vs Torquay 1-6
The opening round of the 2021 season saw U/17 Spirit take on Torquay in what was an entertaining game with lots of positives for Newtown. In the first half the game was largely in our defensive end but we held Torquay to a single goal in regular play due to excellent composure and poke tackling from Sam, Luca and Oliver, and several excellent saves from Mai in goals. Unfortunately Torquay managed to score a second from a penalty corner after the whistle.
We looked more dangerous in the second half as we managed to move the ball quickly and create far more entries, particularly down the right side via Harley and Nick. Reward for hard running and tenacity around goal from all saw Nick slot one home just inside the right post after he moved from wing to inner. Not long after, a second goal from Nate who filled in marvellously at centre forward was disallowed as we failed to remember that the first penalty corner shot must be taken by a girl. Let’s hope we can give Charlie plenty of opportunities next match.
Nobody could question the players’ effort and determination, and they were suitably gassed by the end. The final scoreline was probably not a true reflection of the match. With a little tighter marking in defence and quicker passing we can look forward to a competitive season. Thanks to the half backs Harry, Mitch and Oskar for running all day, and also to Liam who also filled in for the second half.
- Newtown Strikers vs Kardinia Blue 2-5
Division 1 Women
- Newtown Falcons vs Geelong Jaguars 0-5
Division 2 Men
- Newtown Falcons vs Saints Red 1-3
Division 2 Women
- Newtown Strikers vs Saints Red 0-4
There were a number of regular players missing for this first match of the hockey season, but the inclusion of some new faces was very welcome and very promising for the future of the team.
Strong defence in the midfield was led by Hannah and backed up by Kirsty and Hillary in deep defence. Saints were able to find space in the circle and move the ball around quickly, allowing them to pounce on partial clearances. Great work by Andie and Emma in the midfield moved the ball forward where Georgie, Kristen and Grace put in some good running to space and we were able to make some forays into the circle, unfortunately without a result but it was close! Score at half time was 0-3.
With tighter marking in the second half and great positioning in defence, Saints were not able to gain as much traction although there were a number of shots at goal which went wide. Kate and Emily worked well on the right to help the defence and then move into attack with the ball, and De put pressure on the Saints defenders, allowing Strikers to gain possession. Grace scored a goal from a short corner, but as it hadn’t come outside the circle first it was disallowed. Saints scored only 1 more goal in the second half, an absolute rocket off a short corner, a testament to the good defence.
A great first game with many positive signs.
