Silver turns to GOLD
Volume 11, No. 46, June 29, 2006

Eye on the ball: Sig Steve Brennan, 1JSU, guides the ball for Queensland during the ADF Hockey Championships in Albury. In some closely-fought matches, NSW eventually took gold in the titles, which marked 25 years of ADF hockey competition. Photo by Craig Millar

THE silver jubilee of the ADF Hockey Championships turned golden for NSW when it completed an outstanding double at the 2006 tournament in Albury from June 2-9.

NSW men’s and women’s teams took both titles for the seventh time that this has occurred in 25 years.

The ACT had won the last double in 1998 after Victoria won both titles in 1986 and 1991. The 2006 NSW teams emulated the state’s clean sweeps of 1983, 1993 and 1994.

The NSW men and ACT women’s teams went through the week undefeated, exerting their authority on the tournament with the depth of their squads. It was fitting that the finals were a repeat of 2004, both being contested by NSW and ACT.

The women’s final produced a tough fight before NSW won 2-1 for its first title since 2003.

The game was very even with plenty of attack forcing both sides to make goal line saves to stay in the match. NSW coach Nathan Ball was happy with his team’s performances and was looking forward to next year with the possibility of more women being available to make a bigger and stronger competition.

The men’s final was just as tense, with NSW taking an early 2-0 lead and ACT clawing back to 2-all at half time.

NSW lost its composure just before half-time, with several players cautioned by the umpires and sent from the field.

Soon after the break, NSW regained the lead with some great team build-up and clinical finishing which sealed a 4-2 win.
Coach Nathan Ball said that match epitomised the team effort that built over the week into their best performance in the final.

The high standard of hockey was recognised by the new patron of ADF Hockey, the Commandant of Australian Defence College Maj-Gen David Morrison.

He noted that events such as the ADF Hockey Championships kept personnel enjoying their time in the Services so they often remained in service longer. He urged all participants to try to come back next year and bring friends and colleagues to inter-unit and inter-Service competitions.

The Terry Turner Medal for the men’s best and fairest was won by Cpl Adam Spry, 1CER.

The Helen Massa Medal for the women’s best and fairest was won by MIDN Christie Underwood, ADFA.

Other awards went to: Men’s leading goalscorer, LAC Adam Humrich, JOICAUST; women’s leading goalscorer MIDN Christie Underwood; Craig Johnston Medal (umpiring excellence), (Mr) Derek Gawthorne (ACT) for the sixth time; most valuable official, (Mr) John Burke (ACT).
More than 140 players, officials and spectators attended the championships, comprising combined Service teams from each State and Territory.
A men’s team entered from the Northern Territory for the first time after a huge effort by Cpls Adam and Sam Spry and the Northern Territory management staff who overcame significant obstacles.

As was expected, championship numbers were down this year because of the late withdrawal of players deploying to, or supporting operations, around the globe. Developments in East Timor occurred less than two weeks before to the start of the championships.

“It was very heartening, however, to see that commanders were still able to make personnel available to achieve a viable championship and enjoy a good hockey competition,” ADF Hockey public relations manager Leut Stuart Cayzer said.

“ADF Hockey would like to thank CO ALTC and the staff of Latchford Barracks for their assistance.”