Livestream NSW U18 hockey titles: How to watch, top teams, rising stars

Hockey Livestream: There’s plenty to play for at the NSW U18 boys championships this week, including spots in the state squad. The teams to watch and divisional top tips.

There will be plenty to play for at the NSW championships with squad spots on the line.

The NSW boys under 18 hockey championship fell by the wayside last year due to the coronavirus pandemic but is back better than ever in 2021.

This year the championships will be livestreamed, bringing all the action of the event to you directly via The Daily Telegraph website.

From May 14, 29 teams will compete at the NSW U18 hockey championships, with close to 1400 competitors playing at the three-day tournament at the Illawarra Hockey Centre in Unanderra.

At stake are positions in the U18 NSW squad which will be tasked with defending the Australian boys crown at the 2022 national championships.

Matches at the U18 NSW championships will be livestreamed on The Daily Telegraph website.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for players to represent their associations. A lot are very passionate about that,’’ said Hockey NSW Pathways Manager Richard Willis.

“It’s the start of the process to win a gold medal next year.

“It’s here we identify new names for the NSW squads. Up to 50 athletes who are eligible for the next Australian championships in early 2022.’’

NSW STATE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021: U18 TEAMS TO WATCH

Players from Newcastle hockey at the last state championships. Pic: Supplied

NEWCASTLE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

This division one team will be hard to beat and are the defending champions after winning division one at the last event played back in 2019.

Newcastle also won the state title in 2017 and 2018.

There is a strong local league in the region, including the Hunter Premier League.

This association has their sights set on a fourth title in succession and have had players of the ilk of Ky Willott from NSW Pride come through their ranks in recent times.

Players from North West Sydney hockey at the last event. Pic: Supplied

DIV 1: NORTH-WEST SYDNEY HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

They will be a good rivalry between Newcastle and the North-West Sydney hockey association at the championships.

North-West Sydney were runners up to Newcastle in Division 1 back in 2019.

This hockey association is renowned for producing top players and is extremely strong across the board, with players coming from clubs including Ryde Hunters Hill and Northwest Strikers.

They also have numerous in their team from the U18 NSW team that recently won the Australian titles in Tasmania.

ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST ASSOCIATION

The Illawarra South Coast association has a good group of athletes, including a number who were part of the victorious NSW team at the recent Australian championships in Tasmania.

The association is based in a strong catchment area and is known for producing top talent.

Driving this association at the tournament will be a desire for success on home turf at the boy’s championships.

Players last competed at an under 18 championships back in 2019. Pic: Supplied

DIV 2: PARKES HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

Parkes were runners-up in division two at the 2019 championships and will be right in there with a change of going one better this year.

The association is known for its impressive junior system focusing on development and have the results to prove it.

Australian talent to come out of Parkes in recent times includes Mariah Williams who is with the Hockeyroos and Kurt Lovett with the Kookaburras.

A great country association with good hockey heritage.

GOULBURN HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

The U15 Boys team from Goulburn won division two in 2019 and some of those boys will now be playing in U18’s side competing at the state champs.

The association also has a few players from the NSW U18 team which recently won the Australian titles.

Goulburn didn’t compete at the U18 level in 2019, so their team this year slot into division 2.

A players from Hunter hockey at the last championships. Pic: Supplied

DIV 3: HUNTER, SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS AND WAGGA

Hockey NSW Pathways Manager Richard Willis said competing in division three is “more about the journey of playing in a national championships, not necessarily the result.’’

Hunter are the highest ranked division three teams from 2019.

However it is expected the Southern Highlands and Wagga could be competitive as well at the tournament.

TOP TALENT PLAYING IN NSW U18 BOYS AND GIRLS HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Hockey NSW field championships for U18 boys and girls this month will throw the spotlight not just on teams but also the best young talent in the country headed for future Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Numerous teen players from NSW starred at the recent Hockey Australia U18 titles in Launceston which were watched closely by national selector and livestreamed on The Daily Telegraph, as will the NSW championships.

And these youngsters Sydney and regionals areas across the state were rewarded for their form when the national Future Talent Squad was unveiled, identifying the rising stars of the sport and prospective Hockeyroos or Kookaburras for the 2024 Olympics and upcoming Commonwealth Games.

NSW players were some of the stars of the recent Australian U18 boys and girls hockey championships in Launceston.

NSW had the lions share of players in the Hockey Australia men’s future talent squad with eight selections.

This domination was repeated in the women’s squad with seven NSW selections.

And this talent will have another chance to impress at the NSW U18 boys tournament from May 14-16 at Illawarra Hockey Centre in Unanderra and the U18 girls event from May 21-23 at Far North Coast HA at Lismore.

NSW PLAYERS IN HOCKEY AUSTRALIA FUTURE TALENT SQUAD

Men: Rhys Cropper, Tyler Gaddes, Dylan Downey, Kian Johnson, Kobie Johnstone, Toby Mallon, Ryan Oschadleus, Samuel Wright-Smith

Women: Chelsea Holmes, Makayla Jones, Alana Kavanagh, Sorita Pho, Layla Riley, Georgie Smithers, Kendelle Tate.

NSW players have dominated a squad of future champions recently named.

In all 66 athletes were chosen as future stars of the game and will be mentored by Hockeyroos and Kookaburras players, be involved in online education and have access to specialised training and development while competing in a five day camp either later this year or early in 2022

TEAMS TO WATCH FOR AT THE 2021 HOCKEY NSW U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Hockey NSW tournaments were cancelled last year due to coronavirus but here are the standings from the last events played back in 2019.

U18 BOYS AT END OF 2019 TITLES: Newcastle 1, North West Sydney’s 1, Metro South West 1, Sydney East 1, Hockey New England, Sydney South, Central Coast 1, Illawarra South Coast, Tamworth 1, Far North Coast R, Grafton P, Parkes, Orange, Bathurst, Newcastle 2, Manning Valley, Canberra, North West Sydney 2, Port Macquarie Hastings, Tamworth 2 R, Sydney East 2 P, Newcastle 3, Central Coast 2, Hunter Metro, South West 2.

NSW players have a strong history of success in the sport.

U18 GIRLS AFTER 2019 TITLES: Illawarra South Coast 1, Sydney South, Metro South West 1 Northern Sydney & Beaches 1 North West Sydney 1 Goulburn, Orange, Newcastle 1, Tamworth, Central Coast R, Nepean P Manning Valley 1, Parkes Grafton Hockey, New England, Lithgow, Sydney East, Far North Coast, Bathurst, Illawarra South Coast 2, North West Sydney 2 P, Newcastle 2, Port Macquarie Hastings, Southern Highlands, Northern Sydney & Beaches 2, Metro South West 2, Sydney East 2, Manning Valley.

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