ACT U21 Women Break 41 Year Drought

The ACT U21 women make history and break the 41-year drought at the 2025 Hockey Australia National Championship in Bendigo, VIC after securing a 2-1 win over Queensland in the Gold Medal Match and going undefeated through the whole championship. The first Gold Medal win since 1984.

The women, led by Head Coach Marcelle Keet, had a tough run into the tournament. The team was riddle with injury in the lead up to the championships, from appendix surgery, hamstring tears, stress fractures and torn ligaments, the squad were without their team-mates for most of the preparation into the championship. With all the injury rehabilitation looking to be on track to see them all return before the tournament, the team unfortunately suffered two late withdrawals from the side only weeks before the championship.

The withdrawals saw the ACT women bring in two of the youngest players, both 17 years of age, who both went on to play significant roles within the tournament. Not without more concern with another injury from one of the teens the night before the travel day.

The team were bound for Bendigo, hoping for some luck along the way, which started well with a 1-0 win against Queensland in the opening match of the tournament. Unfortunately, more bad luck struck the side on day 2 with key Striker, Lauren Yee in a collision early in the match which resulted in a broken eye socket and saw her unable to play the remainder of the tournament. 17-year-old Clare Crossman now had a bigger role to play.

The women rallied around each other and secured a 2-0 win against SA, notable mention the side was down two rotations with the injury to Lauren Yee and required rest day for key defender Georgina West.

With two wins under their belt, the side were in high spirits and put on another dominant performance over NT with a 7-0 win. Undefeated in the round games saw the side top their pool and headed for the quarter-finals. A tight match in the quarter-final against WA but luck was on their side with a 3-2 win and headed for the top 4 Semi Final.

Just when the side thought their luck had changed, key Goal Keeper, Alyssa Smith was admitted to hospital with an illness and ruled her out the Semi Final. 17-year-old Katie Blackmore, who at this point had only played half a match against NT had a big opportunity to guide the side through the Semi Finals with hopes of battling it off in the Gold Medal match, and that she did with the side knocking out TAS with a 3-0 win and locked into the Grand Final.

With Alyssa still in the hospital, Katie had another big role to play in the Grand Final, with nerves of steel, Katie showed she had what it takes and guided the team to another 2-1 win over Queensland and bringing home the Gold.

To win a National Championships is not an easy task but to do it undefeated is something special. An incredible achievement, one Hockey ACT is very proud of.

The side cleaned up in the awards with Georgina West being named Player of the Tournament after winning Player of the Match in every match she played. They also won the Play The Whistle Award for the team with the best sportsmanship across the championship.

The U21 men had a tough time themselves also facing two withdrawals from the side in the preparation stages of the championships and illness striking days before the tournament.

The men rallied throughout the tournament, facing tough opponents in the rounds with two losses and a one win, the men finished third in their pool. Facing off against a dominant TAS side the in quarter final, the men went down 4-1 and ended their run of a chance in a medal match.

Facing off against QLD again, after a narrow loss to QLD in the rounds, then men were under pressure early with 3 goals against them in the first two quarters. The men were determined to fight back, slotting in 4 goals late in the game but it wasn’t enough with QLD securing a 6-4 win.

The loss in the bottom four semi saw the men play off for 7^th & 8^th against NT. Determined to not let the results from the week dampen their spirits, the men came out firing with an 8-2 win over NT, a head knock to Hamish Morrison saw him leave the field early in the second quarter and the team having to finish it out with one less rotation. Finishing their tournament in 7^th place.

A special mention to not only the players but the amazing people that lead the sides.

The U21 women, led by Marcelle Keet (Head Coach), Jesse Beeson (Assistant Coach), Naomi Evans (Assistant Coach), Matt Cook (Assistant Coach), Leanne Monfries (Manager), Matt Channon (Physio).

The U21 Men, led by Cameron Smith (Head Coach), Karl Brenner (Assistant Coach), Hayden Dillon (Assistant Coach), Matt Cook (Assistant Coach), Andrew Hellyer (Manager), Sean Gupanis (Physio).

The ACT was not only represented at the championships by the teams, there were also a fantastic side of officials that are heavily involved in the Hockey ACT local competition, Emily Carroll (Assistant Umpire Manager), Matthew Firth (Technical Official), Sarah Steinhardt (Umpire) and Niamh Blake (Umpire).

Niamh Blake was assigned to Umpire the Womens Gold Medal match along side Matthew Firth as the Scoring/Timing Judge and Sarah Steinhardt was assigned to the Womens Bronze Medal Match as an Umpire. Another great achievement for the ACT representatives.

Awards:

Player of the Tournament – Georgina West

Play The Whistle Award – ACT Women

Final Placings:

ACT Women – 1^st

ACT Men – 7^th  

Medal Matches:

Womens Gold Medal Match – Niamh Blake (Umpire) & Matthew Firth (Technical Official).

Womens Bronze Medal Match – Sarah Steinhardt (Umpire).