Mackay wins U18s state championships hours before Townsville lockdown

A hockey side will be celebrating its state championship win in quarantine after closing out the Townsville carnival.

Hockey player Claire Colwill. Picture: Tony Martin

An impending lockdown didn’t halt a Mackay team’s run at a state championship in Townsville on Tuesday.

Mackay’s under-18s hockey side triumphed in the state championships grand final before escaping the city ahead of a three-day snap lockdown.

Coach Melissa Sorensen said the announcement came as the side took the field.

“We had just gotten to the field when it was announced, so we had to get the girls to focus on the game rather than the lockdown,” she said.

“It did have an impact on the girls, but we knew as long as the grand final went ahead we could drive home, whereas the Brisbane side was worried about their flight and everything.”

Mackay’s team members arrived in Mackay on Tuesday, and will spend the next three days celebrating their title win in the confines of home quarantine.

The side was lucky to have star players Claire Colwill and Jordan Bliss for the tournament, with both initially called up to the under-21s national carnival.

Michaela Spano of the Fire competes against Claire Colwill of the Blaze. Picture: AAP Image/Kelly Barnes

“Up until two days before the tournament we didn’t have a team, we had some injuries, but the under-21 nationals was postponed just before the tournament,” Sorensen said.

“The girls were able to come back in and play, and it was massive to get them back in because we had a really young side and needed that experience.”

Bliss was named goalkeeper of the tournament, while Colwill was honoured with the player of the tournament award.

Mackay hockey players Jordan Bliss and Claire Colwill.

Sorensen said the pair’s inclusion helped the side, but the overall success could be attributed to everyone.

“Everyone did their job, we went out with a plan and everyone did what we asked,” she said.

“Our game plan was to defend, and when our opportunity came to attack we needed to take it.”