The rising stars of Geelong hockey

Geelong’s local hockey clubs have a brilliant ability to help develop rising stars of the sport and now we’ve celebrated those making waves. See the region’s top young guns.

Grace Harper is starring for Torquay Tornadoes. Picture: Torquay Tornadoes.

They are the shooting stars of Geelong hockey, who are already giving back to the sport.

A raft of young guns of the hockey field have played representative hockey for the Geelong Sharks, while others have represented the state at national championships.

See who made the list.

Torquay Tornadoes

Grace Harper

A talented junior at under-16 level, Harper is also a member of the Tornadoes’ senior division one team. She also has representative experience with the Geelong Sharks at under-16 and Victorian League reserves level, plus for the city at the Victorian Country Championships at an under-16 level. Despite her young age, Harper is already giving back to the sport as an under-14s umpire in the local competition. She also made the Victorian 15-and-under team, heading to Canberra in August this year for the School Sport Australia Championships. Grace is from a great Torquay hockey family, with she and Nathan, Matt, Luke and Sally all playing for the Tornadoes and picking up awards on grand final day last September.

Grace Harper is starring for Torquay Tornadoes. Picture: Torquay Tornadoes.

Liam Millar

An under-14 Torquay player, Millar has represented Geelong at the Victorian Country Championships and also umpires at an under-10 level.

“Both Grace and Liam are wonderful sportspeople, who work hard on continuing to improve their game and both of them are also umpiring younger age groups this season,” Storen said.

Newtown Hockey Club

Jess Richens

The 14-year-old has been playing hockey since 2022, and has racked up 43 games for Newtown over that time. Playing at an under-16 level in the Geelong Hockey Association, Richens also turns out in the club’s senior division two women’s team. Her plate has also been loaded up with games for the Geelong Sharks under-16 team every Friday. She was also picked in the under-16 Western Metro Wildcats regional team which will be competing at the Victorian Junior State Championships in July. Topping it all off, Jess is an under-10s umpire on Saturday mornings.

Jess Richens is a shooting star of Geelong hockey. Picture: Newtown Hockey Club.

Jack Francis

The 13-year-old began playing hockey in 2021, and his enthusiasm has seen him progress rapidly, with 52 games for Newtown already on his CV. Playing in the under-14s teams, as well as the Geelong Sharks – the highest level possible for junior participation at that age level – Francis is also learning to umpire for junior matches.

Jack Francis plays under-14s hockey for Newtown and the Geelong Sharks. Picture: Newtown Hockey Club.

Corio

Scarlett Madner

Learning the skills of hockey at Kardinia International College in their mixed teams from under-8s up to 16s, Madner eventually moved to Corio and now play in its women’s team. A Geelong Sharks under-14s representative – they were champions in 2024 – she is now playing in a higher grade in 2025. Madner has also been a regular at the Junior Country Championships the past two years, playing her role in a title-winning under-14 team last year and runners up in the under-16 division this year.

Aspiring to one day play for the Sharks’ senior women’s side, she loves the friendships she’s made in the local hockey community.

“Just have a go and have fun out there,” she said. “I really like to give back to the sport by coaching and umpiring.”

Scarlett Madner has become a promising hockey player for Corio. Picture: Corio Hockey Club.

Markus Kelly

Beginning his hockey career at the age of nine for the Geelong Jaguars’ under-12s team, he eventually shifted to Corio where he presents the club at an under-14 and 16 level.

Also a member of the Geelong Sharks’ under-14 team, he was part of teams which made the grand final the past two years. The past three years has also been a success at representative level, playing for Geelong’s under-14 team at the Junior Country Championships, winning in 2025.

Markus Kelly has become a star of local hockey at Corio. Picture: Corio Hockey Club.

“I think the thing I have enjoyed most about playing hockey is developing my skills over time and meeting new people along the way,” Kelly said.

“One day I would love to play in a Victorian hockey team. If I could give a piece of advice to a young player just starting out it would be to focus on the basics and never give up, enjoy the people you meet along the way.

“It would be amazing to see more young people in Geelong choosing to play hockey because I think they would love it and would meet a great bunch of people.”

Geelong Jaguars

Archer Chappell

The 14-year-old first picked up a hockey stick through the Hookin2Hockey junior program at just six and has been a dedicated Jaguar ever since. Playing all year round, Chappell has represented Geelong at the Junior Country Championships for the past four years and is a current member of the Sharks, both at a junior and senior level.

“(It’s) a testament to both his talent and maturity on the field,” president Shannon Calder said.

Ella Morgan

Morgan, 16, began her hockey journey in Year 9 and quickly stood out in goals for the Jaguars’ division one team. Participating in the Emerging Talent Academy in Melbourne, she rapidly refined her skills through hard work and determination. She has gone on to be a Geelong representative at the junior country championships, both at under-16 and 18 level. An under-16 Sharks and Vic League reserves member, the Year 11 student now plays senior hockey in the Vic League One competition, claiming a BOG on her debut. Morgan is now preparing for junior state championships with the Western Metro Wildcats under-18 team. Calder said Morgan, like Chappell, represented the Jaguars with pride.

Saints

Macy Kooloos

A defensive midfielder in the club’s division two women’s team, and with nine years of experience, Kooloos brings speed, ball control and sharp decision making to the field.

“As one of the younger players on the team, she consistently proves herself to be a valuable asset,” Saints secretary Amber Frost said.

Macy Kooloos in action for the Saints Hockey Club. Picture: Saints Hockey Club.

Kenzie Pisani

One of the club’s under-10 players, the versatile Pisani can play a variety of roles and enjoys the thrill of playing in a forward position. Her journey began with the Hookin2Hockey program, with the Saints’ under-8s program following after that in 2023.

“Her positive attitude and enthusiasm shine through,” Saints secretary Amber Frost said.

“Inspired by her uncle’s passion for the sport and how much fun it looked, Kenzie decided to give it a try herself,” she said.

“Beyond the excitement of the game, she treasures hockey for the friendships she has formed, finding joy in being part of a team and building connections with fellow players.”

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Originally published as The rising stars of Geelong hockey