Mackay boys claim Queensland U18 Indoor Hockey State Championship title

Mackay’s U18 indoor hockey boys achieved the incredible feat of consecutive state titles. Find out what made the triumph possible.

The Mackay boy's U18 indoor hockey team that won the state championships. Picture: Mackay hockey player and coach development Facebook.

Danny Mayfield knows more than most how hard State Championships are to win.

Across the entirety of his junior representative career he was never able to win one.

It makes it all the more impressive when you consider that Mackay’s U18 boy’s indoor hockey team can now call themselves back-to-back state champions following triumph in Brisbane.

“It’s pretty unheard of, you don’t do that very often,” reflected Mayfield, who took the reins as the team’s head coach this season, on its back-to-back success.

“The best thing about it was we played extremely well as a team, that’s what my message was over the whole weekend, that we really need to gel together and play well as a team.

“You can’t win state championships individually, you have to be a really well-drilled unit and a great team.”

As would be expected, the team’s journey to success was dotted by nervy moments.

Goalkeeper Connor Gould was the player of the final at the state championships. Picture: Mackay hockey player and coach development Facebook.

In the semi-final, Mackay was on the ropes, trailing 2-0 heading into the final quarter.

Undeterred, the team would rally late and pile on four last quarter goals.

“That speaks volumes for how resilient the young lads are, they stayed at it and they kept chipping away and they got it in the end,” Mayfield said.

Again in the final, Mackay could have crumbled having coughed up a 2-0 lead against Maryborough, instead they took to the pressure as a diamond would, holding on to force the decider to a penalty shootout.

For all the brilliant teamwork that had led to that point, the chance for an individual to seize the moment was presented, and Connor Gould gripped it with both hands.

The goalkeeper would save two penalties, securing state glory for his side.

“He was the best goalkeeper there by far, he was outstanding,” Mayfield reflected.

Kaleb Mayfield (middle) and Sam Riggs (left), who figured in Mackay’s winning team, both travelled to Malaysia to represent the U17 Australia All Stars in November. Picture: Supplied.

The win was also a crowning moment in his coaching career.

“It’s why we put all this work into developing these kids, to help them achieve their goal,” he said.

“And a state title is the ultimate goal for a Mackay hockey player.”

The team was rewarded for their success with Gould, Lachie Davies, Jack Kearines, Kaleb Mayfield and Sam Riggs all earning selection into Queensland’s U18 Maroon indoor side.

Tom Burgess, Trey Jelacic and Flynn Steindl cracked the Queensland Gold team, and Harry Kirkwood and Rupert Fahy were named as shadows.

It means 38 Mackay players have been named in state indoor hockey teams or as shadows between U13s and U18s in the past month.

“It comes down to coaching and the quality of hockey that gets played in Mackay,” Mayfield said.

“It’s a very well-run organisation and all the coaches do a great job.”