Incredible team spirit displayed on Ipswich hockey’s big day

Clubs turned out in force to support the young players who enjoyed a carnival-like atmosphere at the Ipswich Hockey Complex. See the winning teams and exciting youth talent.

Fantastic team spirit was on show during Ipswich’s junior hockey grand finals, like that displayed by C-Grade grand final-winning Northern Strikers players. Picture: David Lems

Emotion-charged victory chants, tears of joy and learning to keep calm under pressure.

They were just some of memorable moments seen at the latest Ipswich hockey junior grand finals.

Clubs turned out in force to support the young players who enjoyed a carnival-like atmosphere at the Ipswich Hockey Complex.

The overwhelming verdict was that Ipswich’s youth development is in great shape.

Here’s a wrap of the wonderful day of junior grand finals.

The Hancocks J1 boys hockey team that won the grand final.

J1 boys: Hancocks def Easts 4-0

With regular coach Kai Douglas competing in a triathlon at Mooloolaba, club supporter Phil Jackwitz was happy to stand in as coach on grand final day.

With his son Steele scoring two goals, Jackwitz was thrilled to see Hancocks finish the under-14 season on a high.

“To have lost to that same team two weeks ago (by a goal) and to turn that around two weeks later and win by four . . . it was a nice tidy win.

“Once they calmed down, that’s when they won the game.’’

Jackwitz said the second goal was the turning point, improving the team’s selfless play and passing.

“The panic came out of the game because they were all comfortable,’’ he said.

Hancocks J1 Player of the Final Matthew Victor. Picture: David Lems

Hancocks’ other goals were scored by Will McCormick and Player of the Final and fullback Matthew Victor.

“Matt is a good player. He’s been pretty solid all year,’’ Jackwitz said.

“He’s someone that probably doesn’t get noticed enough.’’

Matthew played all season in his first year with the club.

“We’re all just mates,’’ he said.

It was Hancocks’ fourth grand final win of the day.

Easts’ Player of the Final was Lachlan O’Connor.

Hancocks J2 Player of the Final Mikey Hogan. Picture: David Lems

J2 boys grand final: Hancocks def Norths 4-3

Hancocks’ Player of the Final Mikey Hogan was especially proud having been with his mates and coached by his dad Shawn all season.

Asked what he enjoyed most, Mikey answered: “Just playing with my friends.’’

The 11-year-old centre half has been with Hancocks for five years, working with his dad.

“He’s been our coach for the last two years and he’s been going pretty well,’’ Mikey said.

Shawn was delighted to be working with the under-11 players.

“They are a great bunch of kids,’’ Shawn said.

“To see how far they’ve come and play and the new ones is just absolutely amazing.’’

The Hancocks boys team that won the J2 grand final.

After Hancocks led 3-1, they had to weather a determined fightback from the spirited Norths team.

“I could not be more proud of the boys and even the parents,’’ Shawn said.

“We get a great turnout to training. Every week the boys always come.’’

Shawn had to race off and represent Hancocks in the R2 grand final against Easts Gold.

Mikey scored 50 goals for the year.

On Saturday, he netted two goals with Tyson Laurent and Isaac Lane also scoring in what turned out a tight battle.

Norths’ goal-getters were Jacob Cox with two and Kobie Hill with one.

Norths’ Player of the Final was Ethan Bauer.

SENIOR FINALS WINNERS AND MEMORABLE MOMENTS

The Northern Strikers team that won the C-Grade grand final at the Ipswich Hockey Complex.

C-Grade girls: Northern Strikers def Swifts 1-0

Coaching a junior team for the first time, Jess Fox was unsure what awaited her.

Jess initially wanted to coach with her sister Zoe before their aunty and Norths club president Leanne Haley encouraged them to take on solo roles.

The brave step paid off with Northern Strikers advancing undefeated through the season, completing the year with a 1-0 victory.

Northern Strikers C-Grade grand final-winning coach Jess Fox. Picture: David Lems

An emotional Jess was thrilled how a group of Norths players made some Bellbowrie girls welcome.

“It was a really good season,’’ Fox said, sharing plenty of hugs with her young team and telling them how proud she was of their achievements.

“The girls gelled really, really well and if wasn’t for them (the Bellbowrie players) we wouldn’t have had a team.

“To come away undefeated was amazing.’’

C-Grade Player of the Final Catalina Castona, from the Northern Strikers.

Northern Strikers Player of the Final Catalina Castona typified the youthful enthusiasm.

In her second year of club hockey, the West Moreton Anglican College student impressed guarding the goals.

“She came from a soccer background so this is her second year (in hockey) and she’s been absolutely amazing,’’ Fox said. “And we wouldn’t be able to go undefeated if it wasn’t for her.’’

Fox shed some tears after the victory knowing what the under-15 players achieved and the positive future for the club.

“I’m so proud of them. Each and every one of them has improved 110 per cent,’’ she said.

“We only have three that are staying back. The rest are going to senior hockey next year.

“We’re hoping to keep them together and maybe field an R2 in seniors. That’s our future.’’

The young Northern Strikers players celebrated with a pizza party.

Dakota Wenzel scored the winning goal for the Strikers.

Swifts’ Player of the Final was Annabelle Cobbin.

The Wests team that won the D-Grade grand final at the Ipswich Hockey Complex. Picture: David Lems

D-Grade girls: Wests def Easts 2-1

The victorious Wests’ girls had every reason to celebrate with the best victory chant on Ipswich grand final.

After surviving a late challenge from Easts, the Magpies formed a mighty huddle and belted out a stirring team song.

Coach Georgia Stenzel was thrilled to see her players rewarded after a testing year.

“It was a very big victory for us,’’ the Wests’ A-Grade player said.

“It’s been a bit of a rough year with Covid and the girls’ motivation dropped and it came back.

“We did it.’’

Although minor premiers, Wests didn’t secure a direct path to the grand final.

“It was a bit worrying,’’ she said. “All the girls were a bit nervous.’’

It was Stenzel’s second year coaching the team having made the final last year.

“I love working with the kids,’’ she said.

“As long as they have a fun season, that’s all I really care about.’’

D-Grade Player of the Final Emma Sheehan. Picture: David Lems

Wests goalkeeper Emma Sheehan was named Player of the Final after fulfilling that important role all year.

“The team is very nice and it was super fun,’’ she said.

Emma, 12, said she was “very nervous’’ when Easts came home strong.

“But I knew my team would fight back,’’ the Ipswich representative keeper said.

“We are all good mates.’’

It Emma’s first grand final victory after Wests were runners-up last year.

Wests’ goal scorers were Summer French and Scarlett Long.

Easts’ Player of the Final was Madyssen Mole.

Tamara McPeake scored for Easts in the grand final.

The Easts E-Grade girls team that won the 2021 grand final.

E-Grade girls grand final: Easts def Thistles 2-0.

The Easts girls secured the club’s first grand final win of the weekend beating Thistles 2-0.

Lily Tyers was named Easts player of the final.

Co-captain Lillian Smith and Lilah Hooper scored the vital goals for the Tigers.

Thistles’ Player of the Final was Jessica White.

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