‘Emotions were high’: Chané Mellon helps Aussies to Masters Hockey World Cup glory

In an emotional return home, Mackay hockey player Chané Mellon has helped to lift Australia to victory at the women’s over-35s hockey world championships in South Africa.

Chane Mellon (second from left) has helped to lift the Australian over-35s women's team to gold at the Masters Hockey World Cup in South Africa. Picture: Supplied

Mackay‘s Chané Mellon has helped Australia to the pinnacle of Masters Hockey, as they claimed victory in the 2024 over-35s women’s International Masters Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.

It was an “emotional” homecoming for Mellon, who was born and grew up in the host nation before moving to Australia as an adult, where she began playing hockey in Mackay in 2016.

“I don’t even know how to explain the emotions of being back there to be honest,” she said.

“It was just so surreal, I never thought that something like this could be possible.”

The Aussies came back from losing their first three matches of the tournament to produce an incredible turnaround which saw them get through to the knockout stages and eventually reach the final.

Chané Mellon with the International Masters Cup trophy and her medal. Picture: Supplied

“I think our ability to bounce back from that was what separated us from the rest of the pack,” she said.

Mellon said the final itself was a tight tussle with neither side giving an inch in the first half, before the Aussies were able to break through for an incredible victory.

“I couldn’t believe it, I feel like I’m going to have to keep pinching myself,” she said.

“We didn’t get the opportunity to train as a team before we left, so those early games were really an opportunity to get to know each other’s skill sets and it was just a training opportunity.

“Normally we’d struggle if we allow them to score first or if we weren’t able to score early, but in the final we didn’t score until the third quarter and we just lifted from there.

“That was really great to see. After that second goal we kind of knew we had it.

“Emotions were high, we couldn’t believe it.”

Australian women's over-35 IMC hockey team. Picture: Supplied

Mellon said she wanted to thank her support network at home in Mackay, in particular her local club Brothers, for helping her to achieve her dream.

“I never thought I’d be able to play Masters, definitely not at this level, but my mentor Ellen Crawford has been so supportive in giving me advice.

“Her and (coach) Justin Shepherd would send me messages after looking at my games and giving me advice about the things I could improve on and the things I did well.

“The support you get from those kind of people is just amazing and I’m so thankful for it.

“All the clubs in Mackay are amazing but the support and love that comes from being a part of the Brothers club is phenomenal.”

Originally published as ‘Emotions were high’: Chané Mellon helps Aussies to Masters Hockey World Cup glory