The u15 Boy’s team were placed in Division 1 at the State Championships, which provided the opportunity for a real test against the best performed u15 association teams from across NSW. Over 3 days of intensive hockey the team emerged with a very creditable equal fifth placing in the 10-team Division 1 competition, along with selection of 4 players in State hockey squads for 2016.
The team made a great start to the competition with a hard fought 3-2 win over Illawarra South Coast. Next up was the very strong Newcastle 1 team, and although Sydney South went down 0-2 in this game, it was a superb performance against a team with multiple state representatives. Day 2 began with a match against an even stronger Metropolitan South West 1 (eventual winners of Division 1), and at 0-0 mid-way through the 2nd half the game was finely balanced. Again we finished this game 0-2 down, but it had been another outstanding performance against a highly rated opponent. Our final game of the qualifying rounds was against Central Coast, and in a tight game we finished with a 1-1 draw, which was enough to secure 3rd position in our pool, and a play-off with Sydney North West for 5th/6th position. As might be expected, the two teams were evenly matched and we finished with a 2-2 draw and equal 5th placing.
At the conclusion of the Championships, team captain Mitchell Shipp was named in the 2016 Hockey NSW u18 Boy’s Squad, and Riley Lloyd, Harry Roberts and Matthew Turner were all named in the 2016 Hockey NSW u15 Boy’s Squad. These squads will provide the target player pool for selection of State teams for participation in Australian Championships in 2016.
Team Officials: Craig Turner (Coach), Ross Angus (Assistant Coach), Tony O’Leary (Manager)
