Darling Downs boys take out title of best in Queensland at school championships
The Darling Downs boys have recorded an incredible feat on home soil at the Queensland School Championships.
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HOCKEY: Darling Downs talent has excelled at the elite school level, with a state championship coming to Toowoomba.
Held right here at Clyde Park, both Downs boys and girls teams finished strongly at the Queensland School Sport 10-12 Years Hockey Championships.
The girls were able to win five of their nine games, as well as a draw, to finish in fourth, just three points behind combined winners Met East and Met West.
The boys finished the campaign as the best in the state, winning eight of their nine games to claim first place in the division.
What makes the feat even more remarkable is their preparation was less than ideal, with just one full training session together before the tournament.
“We only ended up having about one and a half training sessions because the second one was cut short due to a storm,” coach Kris Glass said.
“The boys played really well considering the preparation they had.
“We were all pretty happy with how they ended up. You never know before the state champs at that age level how they’ll go.
“They were convincing winners of all three games on day one, so it made me think they were a real chance if they could continue that form.”
The team was rewarded with four players chosen in the Queensland merit team – Logan Macready, Dylan Belanyi, Bradley Schultz, Lincoln Bryant.
With a majority of players from Toowoomba and three from Warwick, Glass said he was proud of the way the team was able to come together.
“We had a good mixture of country and city boys which was good,” he said.
“The main objective of playing at that age level is to make a few friends and I think they did that.
“I hope the boys realise how talented they can be. A lot are heading to the state championships, so hopefully they can take that good form there.”
The Downs girls had Savannah Patterson and Scarlett Sipple chosen in the Queensland merit team.
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