NSW Wraps Up a Strong U16 Nationals Campaign in Adelaide

The U16 National Championships wrapped up in Adelaide earlier this month, with Hockey NSW proudly fielding four talented teams across the boys and girls competitions. The action took place from March 31 to April 7 at MATE Stadium and Port Adelaide District Hockey Club - and the NSW teams brought their A-game.

Starting with the State Boys, who kicked off their campaign on a high note with a jersey handout from Kookaburra #391, Tristan White. His words of encouragement clearly did the trick, as the boys went on a tear through the tournament, delivering passionate and connected performances on the pitch. Their high-energy style and strong team chemistry carried them all the way to the Grand Final, where they secured a silver medal after a thrilling campaign. The future looks bright for this group, and we can’t wait to see them step into the U18s in the years to come.

Over in the Blues Boys camp, growth was the big theme of the week. While they may have finished in 11th place, the improvement shown from game to game was nothing short of impressive. A definite highlight? A massive 8-0 win over Northern Territory that showcased their potential in full flight. And shoutout to Max Oxenbridge, who finished as the tournament's second-highest goal scorer with 8 goals.

Switching over to the girls, the State Girls showed plenty of grit across the week. With their relentless press and high-tempo style, they kept their opponents on edge and were just one goal shy of a finals berth. Despite the narrow miss, a 4th place finish in a stacked competition is a massive achievement. This group is definitely one to watch in the future. 

The Blues Girls closed out their week in the best way possible - with a 1-0 win over ACT to secure 5th place. Known for their impressive structure and consistent performances, they came incredibly close to toppling QLD Maroon, the eventual champions, in what was nearly the upset of the tournament. Their effort and spirit didn’t go unnoticed - they were awarded with the Play the Whistle Award, recognising outstanding sportsmanship and the true spirit of the game.

All in all, a fantastic week for our young NSW athletes. With talent, heart, and plenty of promise on show, we’re excited to see what the future holds for these rising stars. Well done, teams!

To view all the results, head to altius - https://hockeyaustralia.altiusrt.com/