It was easy to forget the team was made up of players aged just 10 to 13. Assured and mature, the team is on a winning streak they do not want to break with intentions of winning gold at the NSW Hockey Championships.

Starting at the Canberra Carnival in June, the winning team followed through as champions at the Moorebank carnival last Sunday. It was a convincing 6-0 win for the final game in the carnival, carving out their growth. Not a single goal was scored against them over the weekend.

Now they are off to Armidale to compete in the State Championships, holding their most recent wins close to their hearts. 

The U13 girls hockey division was undefeated in the NSW Hockey Championships in Tamworth earlier this month. Now, the boys hope to repeat that success. 

Coach Steve Downey said the team had improved in every game, and admitted their last training session was the best the team had ever been. 

“They have confidence from last weekend’s win,” Downey said. “As long as they have the same standard as last weekend, we’ll go a long way of winning it.” 

He described their style of play as offensive with a greater strength displayed in the middle of the field. 

The squad of 14 will play two games on Friday and one on Saturday morning for the State Championships. Last year the team won the championships in the C Division, but will now be looking to compete in the B Division.

Coach Downey said parents and players had organised numerous fundraisers in the lead-up to the championship.

This money, organised by Anthony and Allison Skelly, has been put towards costs for travel and accommodation. He thanked the support of the hockey and wider community including assistant coach Nick Craig.