Grafton’s girls give their all in state u13 hockey titles

An early win set Grafton’s girls up for a strong performance in their first state-level tournament

Grafton's division 1 under girls side celebrate their second playing in the state titles held in Grafton. Photo: Shirleyanne Blanchard

The reputation of Grafton’s junior hockey continues to spread far and wide as Grafton’s under 13’s team took home the silver in the state championships over the weekend.

And for many of the girls playing their first state-level carnival, coach Nathan Skeels said they did their town proud.

“The first game on Friday morning was essentially the first time they’d played as a team together, which happens with rep sides,” he said.

“We trained for six or seven sessions, but that first game was a real shock for some of them, this was the next level of play.”

>>> PHOTOS: Images from u13 girls state hockey finals

They played a strong Canberra outfit who relentlessly attacked the Grafton goal, but they held firm.

“They really banded together as a team and it was real backs against the wall … but they hung in there,” Skeels said.

“And with a minute to go, they scored their first ever goal and came away with the win.

Skeels said the belief from the win set them up for the tournament, and defeated Parkes 3-1 later to end the first day the only undefeated team.

NSW under-13 girls Division 1 hockey final between Grafton and Canberra won by Canberra 2-0 at Grafton.

On the second day, the played a 1-1 draw with Orange, and their coach said it was a game that really showed all their opposition what they were made of.

“It was the first time they went behind, and they just knuckled down and fought really hard, worked together and got themselves back with a really good goal.”

They then defeated Goulburn in another close win, and went into the final day on top of the table, but still with everything to play for.

>>> PHOTOS: Day 1 of under 13 girls state hockey titles in Grafton

“All the teams were quality sides, and the difference was just odd goals here and there,” Skeels said.

“We went into that last game still knowing we had it in our control to make the final with a win or a draw.”

Grafton defeated the strong Newcastle side 1-0 in a game Skeels called their best of the tournament, stamping their authority early on play.

With the final looming, Grafton again faced the strong Canberra side, and while they had beaten them two days earlier, they knew the quality they were facing.

NSW under-13 girls Division 1 hockey final between Grafton and Canberra won by Canberra 2-0 at Grafton.

“They are very strong and well organised,” Skeels said. “Those girls will go back to Canberra now, and have their state trials for the ACT side to go to nationals and I expect a lot of those girls to be in that.”

Canberra pressed hard into Grafton’s quarters for the first two halves, with the home side warming into the task, and defending gamely to keep it 0-0 at the break.

However, the Canberra side proved too strong, taking out the match 2-0, with Skeels proud that Grafton stayed organised, and put everything out on the field.

“For those young girls, anywhere between 11-13 years of age to play six games in three days, it’s a huge ask and they put themselves out there, and they did the town and themselves proud,” Skeels said.

Skeels said it was another example of the strength of Grafton hockey, with the under 11’s just returned from their titles where Grafton’s girls won the division two titles.

“It’s great results all around,” he said. “It shows there’s a lot of talent here and a lot of kids that want to take the next step while still enjoying hockey.

“For a lot of these girls it’s their first time around for the state championships, and to take that step up was extra special.”

Grafton’s second side played in third division and also accounted themselves well, finishing with a win over Bathurst and a draw.

Grafton's Division 3 side played well at the state under 13 hockey titles held in Grafton