Bryce Hammond stars for SA at live streamed 2021 Australian hockey national championships
This rising star goes the extra mile for his hockey – literally – and it’s paid off at the national under-15 titles. Read his story, then catch our exclusive live streams and replays of the action.
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Making a national tournament in any sport requires countless hours of effort and there is no doubt Port Lincoln youngster Bryce Hammond goes the extra mile – literally.
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The rising hockey talent has been starring for SA’s under-15 boys national championships this week as their matches are live streamed on The Advertiser website.
It has taken a huge commitment, lots of travel time and very patient parents.
In the eight weeks leading up to the championships, Bryce spent his weekends playing cricket in Port Lincoln on the Saturday before making the 650km drive to Adelaide for state hockey training the next day.
After training its straight back in the car for another seven-hour trip to make it back to the Eyre Peninsula town just before midnight.
But Bryce, 14, said the regular journey had paid dividends during the championships.
The defensive midfielder scored both goals in SA’s opening pool match win over NSW Blue.
“The trip is pretty hard, but I sort of taught myself how to sleep most of it to get through,” the Marauders Hockey Club player said.
“I was happy to get the goals and get a win in the first match. I think it lifted the team a bit.”
It is not Bryce’s first experience at a national championships.
The St Joseph’s student has represented the state in swimming and has even broken some of fellow Port Lincoln product Kyle Chalmers’ school records.
But Bryce said he was happy to focus his efforts on hockey for the moment.
Since the opening match, his team has battled against strong sides in the following three matches, but fallen to Queensland Gold, WA Gold and Victoria.
SA will face WA Black in its first classification match at 7.50am Wednesday, before a clash against Victoria development to round out its tournament at 2.50pm.
The state’s under-15 girls and under-18 men’s and women’s sides are also in action at their respective championships.
After two draws and two losses, the under-15 girls team scored its first win with a 1-0 victory over WA Black on Tuesday.
It will face Queensland Gold on Wednesday and a win would take the side into a playoff for fifth spot on Thursday.
SA’s under-18 women won one pool match and drew two others and are set for a seventh-place playoff against NSW State at 3pm on Thursday.
The under-18 men battled in some close contests, but were unable to record a win in the pool games. The side will playoff for ninth against NSW Blue at 2pm Thursday.
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