Cairns hockey players win gold at National U13 Championships

Some of the best young hockey players from Cairns headed south to bring home gold from the U13 National Hockey Championships in Tasmania: Read who represented Queensland

A squad of crack up and coming hockey players from the region made their mark on the itch when they competed in the U13 National Hockey Championships in Tasmania recently with one team taking gold.

Comprising four teams, the youngsters made up two squads for girls, Cinders and Embers and for boys, Cutters and Sabres.

The players from Cairns who made the state teams were: Cinders - Lara Richardson, Lyla Pendrigh, Matilida Seivers, Embers - Veronica Namai, Cutters - Chase Donnelly and Sabres -

Jack Thompson - Goalkeeper, Lachlan Fry and coach Cairns Hockey Development Officer Keegan Popowski.

The Cinders took gold while the Embers just missed the podium in fourth place, while the Cutters took fourth in the boys competition and the Sabres placed sixth.

Cairns athletes were part of the gold wining Embers team for Queensland in the 2022 U13 National Hockey Championships in Tasmania. Picture: Supplied

Cinders player Matilda (Tilly) Sievers said representing Queensland “was a great honour”.

“The best part was meeting people from all over Queensland and Australia, and obviously winning the gold medal was an awesome feeling,” she said.

“I learnt a lot and we got to watch a Hockey One game between the Blaze and Tigers. “Meeting Queensland Blaze players like Rosie Malone, Clare Colwill and Georgie West was cool. It’s made me want to play for the Blaze one day.”

Cairns athletes were part of the Queensland teams which played in the 2022 U13 National Hockey Championships in Tasmania. Picture: Supplied

Teammate Lyla Pendrigh said she attended with the goal was to make friends and be a better striker when she returned which she achieved.

“Hobart was a great experience,” she said.

Cairns athlete Lauchlan Fry was part of the Queensland team and won a player of the match award in the 2022 U13 National Hockey Championships in Tasmania. Picture: Supplied

Sabres player Lachlan Fry was named Player of the Match versus Tasmania, and scored a gal said he enjoyed the championships.

“It was interesting playing in 10 degree temperatures,” he said.

“But it was a lot of fun and I made some good mates”.

Cairns athlete in the boys Sabres team for Queensland which played in the 2022 U13 National Hockey Championships in Tasmania. Picture: Supplied

Teammate Jack Thompson agreed.

“It was an incredible experience and I got to be part of some really great hockey,” he said.

Popowski, 26, attended the carnival as coach of the Sabres, and said all the players really shone in the highly competitive event.

Popowski, 26, said he was pleased to see all their athletes progress with their skills and confidence.

Cairns athlete Lara Richardson was in team Cinders as part of the Queensland teams which played in the 2022 U13 National Hockey Championships in Tasmania. Picture: Supplied

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Originally published as Cairns hockey players win gold at National U13 Championships