This comes on top of Mulwaree High School also taking out the senior state championship last week, beating title defenders Lithgow. As Wollondilly is a feeder school for Mulwaree, it seems likely this hockey talent will graduate into a winning tradition.

The Wollondilly team travelled to Narellan on September 6 to compete in the finals series of the NSW PSSA State Hockey Knockout. The girls had progressed through earlier matches against Crookwell, Bradfordville, Bowral and Bega Valley to become South Coast Champions.

Wollondilly acting principal Steve Armstrong said the team played Harrington Public in the quarter finals. “This proved to be an extremely tough game. The scored was locked at nil-all at full-time, which meant the game went into extra time using the drop-off system,” he said. “The game went into three lots of extra time, with teams getting down to four field players and a goalie left on the field. A great pass from Makayla Jones and an awesome finish from Meg Baxter saw the girls be triumphant in what was an exhausting game.”

In the semi finals, the girls drew Tinonee Public from Taree. “The girls played incredibly well. Every player gave 100 per cent effort and supported each other as a team,” Mr Armstrong said. “They were able to come away with a comfortable 4-0 win with goals to Makayla Jones, Meg Baxter, Mikaylah John and Grace Jones.

“The final was set to be a difficult task as Grafton had won their semi final 8-0. The girls were unfazed. They took the field and pressured Grafton from the start. Their marking and tackling was faultless. Their passing, teamwork and support for each other was remarkable. The girls were determined to win and they did.” They scored six goals for the game through Meg Baxter, Mikaylah John (2) and Makayla Jones (3) and crowned State Champions.

“The girls should be commended on their behaviour both on and off the field,” Mr Armstrong said. “They were a committed and supportive group of girls who played with the want to win, but the sportsmanship of a champion team. They are a credit to themselves, their families, Wollondilly Public School and the Goulburn community.”