Under-18s Men and Women seeking top four finishes

The Territory will send 35 of its top teenage talent to the sunny shores of the Gold Coast to take on the nation’s best at this year’s National Championships. See the squads and schedules.

Darcy JenningsSports reporter

2 min read

July 1, 2024 - 5:43PM

News Sport Network

Members of the NT under-18s Boy's and Girl's state team ahead of the 2024 Nationals. Picture: Elle Richardson/NT Hockey.

Local sport

Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.

The Northern Territory’s top teenage talent will clash with the nation’s best rising talent on the Gold Coast.

In the Sunshine State for the 2024 Under-18s National Championships, 35 of the NT’s best players will be tested, kicking off this Wednesday, July 3.

UNDER-18 WOMEN

A side that has been playing together for a number of years, the team is anticipating a strong tournament, as they’re now at the ‘peak’ of their powers.

Boasting four NT Stingers, two of which are current under-18 Australian Futures Squad members, and littered with talent across the board, the side will need to be on song having drawn the NSW Blues, Victoria, Victoria Development, WA Black and WA Gold in Pool B.

“This group has been playing together for 3 years now and know what to expect,” coach Michele Caden said.

“They are a tight knit and exciting group.”

With the majority of the side selected from Darwin-based clubs, Caden said her team had prepared extremely well with each member putting in the hours at training.

“They’ve had a great preparation,” she explained.

“They’ve worked really hard to be physically prepared for the highly demanding intense tournament.

“They know how to defend hard, how to be in the fight and we have the explosive skill to create our chances (in attack).”

The coach said she was also looking forward to seeing her senior players set-up and lead from the front.

“I look forward to seeing our seasoned leaders Amy Stripling, Tiana Compton and Macenzee Dixon stand their ground, along with Phoebe Wiltshire and Holly Beath who will be expected to lead and be relentless in our defence.”

Under-18s representative Tiana Compton with possession during a warm-up game with reigning TPL Women's champs East Darwin. Picture: Nathan Nunn.

Squad:

Arahna, Sophie

Arri, Erin

Beath, Holly

Bowers, Kailei

Burger, Imogen

Casimiro, Niesha

Crompton, Tiana

Dixon, Macenzee

Ferguson, Penelope

George, Abbey

Lodge, Emma (injured)

Nunn, Maya

Nunn, Sophie

Stripling, Amy

Stripling, Tayah

Whittaker, Romy

Wills, Freya

Wiltshire, Phoebe

Schedule:

Game 1 – Wednesday 3rd vs. WA Gold at 5pm

Game 2 – Thursday 4th vs. Victoria at 3.30pm

Game 3 – Friday 5th vs. WA Black at 12.30pm

Game 4 – Sunday 7th vs. NSW Blues at 1.30pm

Game 5 – Monday 8th vs. Victoria Development at 10.30am

UNDER-18 MEN

Described as a ‘young but promising’ side, the men have also played for a number of years together.

Made up of multiple players who’ve been tearing it up in the TPL for the past few seasons, as well as Australian Futures squad member Tobias Jenner, the team looks poised for a strong performance.

Seeded in Pool A, the stronger of the two pools, the side will face-off against the NSW Blues, NSW State, Queensland Gold, Tasmania and WA Gold.

Head coach and NT Stingers alum David Skippings said there was a positive vibe among his players, all of which are eager to put together a strong tournament.

“The vibe is very good,” Skippings said.

“The boys have trained well for six to eight and are ready to go.

“I expect them to play every game as if it is a final and if we connect well as a group we will come away with a good result.

“Obviously we want to finish top four.”