Livestream NSW U18 girls hockey championships 2021: Preview, how to watch
Hockey Livestream: There’s pride and berths in the NSW squad on offer to top players at the NSW U18 girls championships. The top teams at the event and how to watch.
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Like so many other sporting events the NSW girls under 18 hockey championship were a victim of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. But in 2021 they are back and are gearing up to be a memorable event.
This year the championships are being hosted by the Far North Coast Hockey Association at the Goonellabah Turf Complex & Ballina Hockey & Turf Complex. They will be livestreamed to you via The Daily Telegraph website.
The event runs from May 21-23 and at stake for top players are positions in the NSW squad.
“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.’’
Missed the action at the U18 Boys Titles? Find the replays here
NSW STATE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021: U18 TEAMS TO WATCH
DIV 1: ILLAWARRA SOUTH COAST
Illawarra South Coast were the winners of this division back in 2019.
The Illawarra is one of the strongest Association’s in girl’s hockey, celebrating much success at U13, U15 and U18 level in recent years.
This hot-bed of talent has seen them awarded the Champion Girls Association at the annual Awards Night in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Current Hockeyroo Grace Stewart is also from this area, hailing from Gerringong.
DIV 1: SYDNEY SOUTH
Sydney South has emerged as a huge threat in 2021.
They have multiple members of the NSW U15 and U18 state squads in their team this year.
They sport a mix of talented players across the field.
DIV 1: GOULBURN
This well known association has a scattering of NSW 18 champions.
Like the boys side, this group has come through the ranks together, developing important bonds and relationships.
With a strong nucleus of athletes, this association has great administration, a developing complex and a strong hockey heritage.
DIV 1: METROPOLITAN SOUTH WEST
They have been in the medal mix for a number of years and came third the last time the vent was played back in 2019.
Always around the podium in this age division and have a large catchment of talented players to draw from.
Can be a threat and cause a few headaches if they’re on their game and one of the largest metro associations.
DIV 1: FAR NORTH COAST
Will be keen to make the most of having their championships on home turf, eliminating the travel they usually do to get to events.
The locals will be determined to put out a strong performance in front of a home crowd and have a strong pool of coaches and players at their disposal.
DIV 2: MANNING VALLEY
They were runners up in division two in 2019.
The area has been hit by some disruptions due to the recent floods which took out one of the hockey fields.
Players will no doubt be determined to bring some good cheer to the region with a strong performance at the event.
DIV 2: CENTRAL COAST
The Central Coast were relegated from division one in 2019 so will meet a much easier pool of teams in this division.
A strong association who will be urgent to get back into division one.
A high populations area with a proactive association which has a lot of good things happening.
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TOP TALENT PLAYING IN NSW U18 GIRLS HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Hockey NSW field championships 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 had sevens girls selected in the Hockey Australia future talent squad.
And this talent will have another chance to impress at the NSW tournament from May 21-23 at Far North Coast HA.
NSW PLAYERS IN HOCKEY AUSTRALIA FUTURE TALENT SQUAD
Women: Chelsea Holmes, Makayla Jones, Alana Kavanagh, Sorita Pho, Layla Riley, Georgie Smithers, Kendelle Tate.
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 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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