Tamworth’s four State Under 15 representatives celebrate a seventh successive title in Adelaide (from left) Antony Doolan, Isaac Farmilo, Andrew Finch and assistant coach Simon Massey.
TAMWORTH and the New England’s talented young juniors have and will continue to excel at national outdoor and indoor championships.
Last week seven Tamworth juniors finished with gold medals at various national titles across the country while Under 13 stars Abigail Doolan, Emily Chaffey and Gabbi D’Ambros had to settle for a bronze at the Australian Under 13 Girls’ Hockey Championships in Perth.
Ehren Hazell and Brady Curry are celebrating a national gold medal after their Under 13 NSW boys’ team won its national championship in Nowra.
Alice Arnott and Brittany King both won gold with their NSW team in their Australian Under 15 Championship in Canberra while the NSW Under 15 boys won a seventh successive title in Adelaide.
Simon Massey was the assistant coach of that side which was unbeaten.
Wins over South Australia (1-nil), Tasmania (4-1), ACT (8-nil) were followed by a 2-all draw with Queensland.
The side then restarted its winning march with wins over Western Australia (5-3), Victoria (2-1) and Northern Territory (11-nil).
Isaac Farmilo scored twice against Tasmania, added another against WA and then notched a hat-trick in the double figure win over NT.
The outdoor successes aren’t the end of the hockey season for the young stars either.
Isaac Farmilo and Andrew Finch now turn around and, playing up an age division, go to the National Under 17 Indoor Championships.
The following week they play in the Under 15 titles at Maitland along with Brittany King and Alice Arnott.
Following that, Tamworth hosts the National Under 13 Indoor Championships.
Meanwhile, Hockey New England’s Under 17 girls’ indoor hockey side continued its steady build-up by placing fifth at the State Under 17 Indoor Hockey Championships in Wollongong last weekend.
HNE Indoor publicity officer Denise Doughan said the Blue Lions had a great weekend away “both on and off the field”.
“The games were played at the purpose-built indoor hockey stadium at Wollongong,” Doughan said.
“It was the first time the majority of the team had played on this type of court and the girls adapted well.
“The local girls were promoted to A Division last year and that team cemented a spot in the top grade.
“This year’s team built on that hard work and produced some outstanding results and secured fifth place.”
The team defeated the Wollongong locals, Illawarra, 4-1 in their first game and then drew with Sydney (2) 4-4.
Their only defeat came at the hand of Sydney’s North Shore 1-3.
They drew with Macarthur 3-3, a team from SW Sydney and last year’s winners.
The last game of the tournament saw HNE defeat Lithgow 5-3. This result placed the girls overall fifth in the state.
“The entire team performed extremely well, with Belinda Burton playing well in goals, supported by Brittany Parker, Emma Barwick and Alison McMillan as the backs,” Doughan said.
“Claire Eichorn, Katrina Rekunow and Kate Moffatt played in the midfield with Teagan Cleanthous and Tahlia Rekunow as high forwards.
“Claire Eichorn was rewarded for the team’s success by being awarded the tournament developing player award.”
