Queensland Hockey: Rockhampton under-13 boys win grand final over Toowoomba at Gladstone carnival

Coach Aaron Harmsworth talks about his team of champions here and how a family connection made the victory that little bit sweeter for him.

“Little legends”.

That is how coach Aaron Harmsworth described the Rockhampton under-13 boys’ team after they were crowned state hockey champions.

They beat Toowoomba 2-nil in the Division 1 grand final of the four-day tournament which wrapped up on Wednesday in Gladstone.

“They definitely played their best game in the final which is all you can hope for as a coach,” Aaron said.

“You want them to bring their best out when it matters and they certainly did that.

“I felt pretty comfortable most of the game but you never know in finals. We played really well and it was not just one player either, it was across the park.

“Every one of them stood up.”

Aaron has enjoyed plenty of success as a coach but this win was a special one for him, with his son Jace one of the team’s best at the carnival and also being named Player of the Final.

“I’m proud because I’ve got a son involved,” Aaron said.

“My young fella grows up around these boys and you see them every other day.

“Ten of them are from the one club (Wanderers) which helped with team cohesion but, as a team, we have also been playing in the under-15 girls division of the Rockhampton competition which really helped us.

“Seeing young kids grow and develop is great.

“These boys listened really well, they’re a good bunch of kids and Rockhampton Hockey should be really proud of them too.”

Striker Eli Landsberg, who scored the most goals of the tournament, got Rockhampton on the board in the first quarter of the decider.

Jace added the team’s second, converting a penalty corner set piece in the third quarter to seal the win.

Egan Cass, Alfred Timms, Josh Winter and Braedan Prinsloo, who was the equal second highest goalscorer, were also good for Rockhampton.

The Rockhampton under-13 girls finished 10th in Division 1 at their championships, with team member Grace Lloyd-Jones named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

The Queensland boys and girls teams will be named in several days.