NSW Pride take on cross border rivals in Pride in Pride round at Goulburn Hockey Complex

NSW Pride Men and Women’s team are set to take on Canberra Chill at Goulburn Hockey Complex in this round 7 clash, which marks the final home match of the 2024 Liberty Hockey One League season and NSW Pride’s annual Pride in Pride fixture.

NSW Pride Women’s team who are currently in fourth position, are hoping a win against Chill in the first match of the fixture will secure them a ticket to Hobart for next weekend’s finals series. Head Coach Scott Barker has also named 19-year-old Chloe Holmes in the team who is set to make her debut for Pride on Sunday.

Unfortunately, NSW Pride Men’s team are unable to qualify for the finals series this year but are looking to finish their season off in style with a win against top of the table Canberra Chill. In what will be a tough match NSW Pride will showcase new young talent having named Sebastien Griffith, Oskar Smith and Ryan Oschadleus (as emergency Goalkeeper), who are all hoping to take the pitch and make their debuts for Pride.

With tickets selling fast, this match is set to be sell out, if not very close to, which comes as no surprise to hometown heroes and NSW Pride players Makayla Jones, Emmalee Croker and Dylan Downey who are excited to be playing in front of their home crowd.

Speaking about playing in Goulburn Dylan Downey said “It’s a big step in my journey. It is special to come back home, especially as a NSW Pride player. I cannot wait.”

Fellow Goulburn local Emmalee Croker said, “It is exciting to play a Hockey One game where I first started to play Hockey and to play in front of a home crowd is very special.”

Goulburn Mulwaree Council, the match day sponsor of this fixture are looking forward to supporting Hockey in NSW by hosting this fixture with newly elected Mayor Nina Dillon saying “Hosting the Hockey One League will further position Goulburn as a strong regional destination for Hockey in NSW. Upgraded facilities at the Goulburn Regional Hockey Centre has allowed for opportunities to host both state and national level matches."

This Sunday’s fixture is also NSW Pride’s annual Pride in Pride match, where Hockey NSW and NSW Pride are delighted to showcase the inclusive nature of Hockey and celebrate Pride in Pride. 

Hockey is arguably one of the leaders in the sporting sector for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, in particular to gender equality, and embracing the LGBTQI+ community.

NSW Pride's Pride in Pride round is an opportunity to show ourselves as allies and supporters of LGBTQI+ athletes, officials and fans. We use this event to raise awareness of the challenges still faced by the LGBTQI+ community, and the value they bring to our sporting communities.

Members from both teams, local Goulburn Mulwaree Council representative, Goulburn District Association representative, NSW Pride and Canberra Chill players, match officials and representatives from both Hockey NSW and Hockey ACT administration will be confirming this commitment to inclusion and providing a safe environment by participating in a Pledge of Inclusion on the field prior to the start of the first match.

It is vital that all community members are welcomed and treated with respect. Everyone has a role in creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

Hockey NSW CEO Matthew Bulkeley said "Our annual Pride in Pride round is an important event in the Hockey NSW calendar. As an organisation we are very proud of this event as it provides us with an opportunity to raise awareness for the LGBTQI+ community within both Hockey, and the greater community within NSW, and to establish our sport as proud allies." 

" NSW Pride have also had the honour in 2024 to have Pride in Sport on board as our charitable partner, with all players proudly wearing the Pride in Sport logo on their jersey every round this season. We hope this partnership has assisted in promoting and raising awareness of the great work that Pride in Sport do, and we look forward to continuing this relationship." 

Greta Hayes, NSW Pride player and 2024 Pride in Sport Role Model of the Year is inviting everyone to come on down to the match saying “So make sure you come down, wear your rainbow colours and we cannot wait to see you there.”

There will also be rainbow face painting and Pride giveaways available throughout the afternoon.

With tickets selling fast, NSW Pride are encouraging people to buy their tickets in advance to avoid missing any of the Hockey action and celebration and support of the LGBTQI+ community.

Tickets are available by clicking here.

Match Details
11:00am – Gates Open
11:30am – NSW Pride Hookin2Hockey Clinic*
1:00pm – Women’s match, NSW Pride v Canberra Chill
2:30pm – Men’s match, NSW Pride v Canberra Chill

*Registration is required to attend the NSW Pride Hookin2Hockey Clinic – ticket packages to the clinic and two matches can be purchased online

NSW Pride Women’s Team
Push Back 1:00pm

Emmalee Croker (Goulburn & District)
Hannah French (Great Britain)
Greta Hayes (North West Sydney)
Chloe Holmes (D) (Sydney South)
Estelle Hughes (Newcastle)
Makayla Jones (Goulburn & District)
Alana Kavanagh (North West Sydney)
Zoe Newman (GK) (Sydney South)
Lucinda Preeo (Illawarra South Coast)
Emma Scriven (Northern Sydney Beaches)
Maddi Smith (Illawarra South Coast)
Grace Stewart (Illawarra South Coast)
Mariah Williams (Newcastle/Parkes)
Abby Wilson (North West Sydney)
Grace Young (Sydney South)

Emergency Goalkeeper
Grace Jeffrey

Head Coach - Scott Barker
Assistant Coach - Nigel Croke

NSW Pride Men’s Team
Push Back 2:30pm

Nathan Czinner (Hockey New England)
Miles Davis (Sydney East)
Dylan Downey (Goulburn & District)
Jared Findley (North West Sydney)
Joshua Gregory (Sydney East)
Sebastien Griffith (D) (North West Sydney)
Callum MacKay (Illawarra South Coast)
Toby Mallon (Sydney East)
Dylan Martin (Illawarra South Coast)
Thomas Miotto (Illawarra South Coast)
Oskar Smith (D) (Sydney)
Nathanael Stewart (C) (Met South West)
Michael Taylor (Central Coast)
Ash Thomas (GK) (North West Sydney)
Ryan Woolnough (Newcastle)

Emergency Goalkeeper
Ryan Oschadleus (D) (Newcastle)

Head Coaches - Roel van Maastrigt & Kireran Govers
Assistant Coach - Matthew Wark

If you are unable to attend the match don’t forget you can watch all Liberty Hockey One League matches live and free on 7plus by clicking here.