2023 Hockey Season - Grand Finals - Newtown City Hockey Club Inc.

The 2023 hockey season concluded with five Newtown Hockey Club teams taking part in the Grand Final activities.

Under 10

Having finished as Runners Up for the 2023 hockey season, the U10 Strikers were there to play a friendly game against the Premiers Torquay. The team has improved each week during the season, and the game on Grand Final Day was at a higher standard of play than the first game of the hockey season between these two teams.

Congratulations to all the players and thanks for your hard work and regular attendance at training.

Under 12

Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 0-7

All the players’ hard work over the hockey season had paid off as the Under 12 Newtown Strikers made it into the Grand Final. However, the Torquay team, which had been dominant all season, was just too strong winning the game 7-0. Albie provided some strong goal keeping, supported by Audrey and Alex in defence. Parker, Joseph and Eddie tried hard to create opportunities for a goal but Torquay was able to shut the attack down.

Despite this, it was a great achievement for the Strikers to make the final and the team would like to say a huge thank you to Dan for his outstanding coaching over the season.

Under 14

Newtown Strikers vs Kardinia Blue 0-3

After a great season the Newtown Strikers were lucky enough to make it through to the Grand Final with a tough match against Kardinia Blue awaiting them. In the pre-game Kurt talked about putting into action all the things they had worked on this season, encouraging players to hold their positions to give options, particularly the wings to provide the opportunity to use the width of the field. He asked the players to ensure they make second and third efforts when defending and to move the ball quickly to find open options. Unfortunately, Kardinia were on top of their game this week and move the ball well to create opportunities and put the first goal on the board early which was followed up by another goal later in the half. Despite creating a couple of short corner opportunities, Kardinia defended well, and the Strikers were down 0-2 at half time.

At half time Kurt spoke about the need to spread wide and prevent brining the ball up the middle where the Kardinia players were anticipating passes well and picking them off. The Strikers continued to fight hard to get on the scoreboard but when Kardinia put in their third goal midway through the second half it was all over. Newtown battled on valiantly until the final whistle, but Kardinia were too good on the day and finished as deserving 3-0 winners.

At the presentation ceremony Zac made a great speech and spoke about what a terrific season it had been for Newtown which was very true. Although it was a disappointing way to finish, the team had enjoyed a lot of great wins this season with the preliminary final shootout win a great highlight. The Strikers improved across the season both as individuals and as a team and most importantly played their hockey in great spirit and enjoyed the games. Thanks to Kurt for all his hard work coaching the team this hockey season and congratulations to all the Strikers players on their achievement of making it to a Grand Final.

Under 17

Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 0-3

Well Saturday was the day of the grand final against Torquay and we were prepared for them.

Tom, Luca and Surry ran the ball up and made numerous attempts for goals but were denied. Anya was calling out for the ball and making sure the ball stayed in play. Chloe and Lara were both wings and working on the same page. Amelia and Alex were strong in defence but Mai was outstanding as our goalie with her skills on display. Will was running the ball and sending the ball up the field and keeping it in play. Matilda, Serena and Grace were all over the place with the ball sending it up but the team were unable to score.
Thank you Torquay for a wonderful game.

All our players have grown so much over this hockey season. Thank you all for being an amazing team.

Division 2 Women

Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 5-4 on sudden death penalty shootout

The team was set, antihistamines taken.. breakfast of champions eaten. We lined up against the enemy along the middle of the ground to take note of whom we needed to annihilate… Some of us at least… with others feeling sure that dog shows and ballet were more important than the game of our life.

The whistle blew and out of the gates we tore… Our attacking forward line of Tash, Serena, Charlotte, Claudia, Georgie and Claire gave them torment. Paul’s psych up making the strength on the ball abundant from the start. Pete came in as our super sub injected into the forward line enabling Tash to push back and assist the defensive A team of Kirsty, Alex, Andi, Hanna and Kat. Supported by their illustrious leaders Rach and Jean at the back.

Great intensity in defense with solid marking kept them out of the game for a while. A quick short corner conversion put them in front (for now)…

Goalie super sub change up somewhat confused them (what kind of legendary team has two goalies. yet alone three). We held them out for the 2^nd quarter.

Into the third quarter with great drive by the forward line gave us some great short corner opportunities, which we were able to eventually convert on at 1-1 allowing our heart rates to ease… a titch.. then back to work.

A defensive fourth quarter held the line (some of us forgetting we didn’t have extra time.. woops)…

With pressure on, Rach stepped up to the line, with the fate of the world in her hands….

Charlotte, Serena, Georgie, Kat and Tash were in the firing line with the ball placed at the top to somehow challenge the goalie to a duel. With two awesome saves by Rachel (coming from one behind), along with assisting conversions from Kat and Serena…. Sudden death …. Mwahhhhaha…

Paul made the tactical decision to send in the converting legends Kat and Serena again… who stood up to the challenge and found the back of the backboard. Somewhat unnoticed, Kat became a member of the grand final hattrick club.

Rachel’s heart rate must have been going crazy as she wandered back to the goalie bench unaware that she had kept out the game winning goal… Until the team mobbed her.

Congratulations to Charlotte who won the GHA Best and Fairest award along with an honorable mention for Tash who placed in the top 5. Dishonorable mention to Georgie for stealing the Best on Ground award from the clear winner with a hattrick Kat.

Awesome team effort, every player was essential to our wonderful season and it is great to see everyone out there having fun…. Even though hockey shouldn’t be fun… (serious face)… Yay hockey..