Lismore teens help NSW U15 teams win gold at Australian Hockey Championships

Northern Rivers youngsters helped the NSW U15 boys and girls teams win take gold at the Australian Hockey Championships held at Bathurst.

GOLD MEDAL: Northern Star Hockey Club players, Connor Makings, Hollie Matthews, James Coleman and Kalani Franklin, helped their NSW U15 Boys and Girls teams sweep all before them to win at the recent Australian Hockey Championships in Bathurst in April 2021.

Five young Northern Rivers hockey athletes have shone at the recent Australian Hockey Championships in Bathurst for their NSW U15 teams.

The New South Wales State teams were crowned 2021 Australian Under 15 Boys and Girls Hockey Champions after a hotly contested week of competition held from April 9-14.

Far North Coast Hockey spokeswoman Sherilee Mathews said talented teens Connor Makings, Hollie Matthews, James Coleman and Kalani Franklin were in the state teams, while fellow Northern Star teammate Finn Robinson played in the NSW Blues squad at the event.

“Both state teams went through the tournament undefeated with NSW taking out a double gold in the U15s,” she said.

“The girls made NSW history when they defeated Victoria Development side 14-0; this was the highest score a NSW team has had at a National Championship.”

Matthews said the NSW Blues side played well and finished 7th in their division.

Now Far north Coast Hockey is gearing up for a state title to be held at their Goonellabah venue next week, Matthews said,

“Far North Coast Hockey is looking forward to hosting the NSW U18 Girls Field Hockey championships from Friday May 21 to Sunday May 23, 2021,” she said.

“We have two teams entered, there will be some fantastic hockey played and it’s going to be a very exciting weekend.”