New South Wales once again proved its depth in ADF hockey by successfully filling one-third of the national squad positions in both the men and women's sides.

This depth was proven recently by the NSW women placing second at the ADF Hockey Championships, filling nearly half of the 24 positions in the national team.

The NSW women had a formidable side for the championships, immediately evident in their first game with a very strong performance against ACT. This was followed by solid wins against QLD and VIC, while a two-all draw with WASANT set up a much-anticipated final.

WASANT scored in the first half and defended solidly in the second to win the championship 1-0.

However, the leadership and skill of NSW captain Pip Iseppi was recognised by selectors who named her as captain of the ADF team.

Traditionally, the NSW men's team has been a strong unit with great depth, but with the moving on of several senior players in the last two years, a high number of new players have stepped up to fill the void. Operational deployments of several former and current national players also saw nearly half the initial squad being unavailable.

Thus the responsibility of the team fell to the few remaining senior players, with this leadership paying off with captain of the NSW side Owen Reinhardt being awarded equal best and fairest for the tournament with Gordon Brown.

Unfortunately this did not directly reflect the results of the week with NSW finishing fourth. At all times the side put in a tremendous effort and it is fair to say they gave everyone a hard battle, including the defeat of their nemesis Queensland 6-3 to force them to play WA for the wooden spoon.

Whilst at the championship, recognition was made for the support over many years by LCDR Robert Miller, FLTLT Paul Atlee and Peter Luck being added to the honour roll and former NSW member MAJ Barb Jenkins becoming a life member.

Support for the NSW team during the week was strong and the squad would not have achieved what it did without the tremendous support of Tyco International. This assistance was especially valuable in the relief of the many pressures of the tournament.

Year 2001 was one of great significance for ADF Hockey, marking 20 years of competition. A fine competition was held at the The Pines Stadium, Adelaide, for players from all states with a high standard of hockey enabling the ADF sides to be selected for the National Country Championships in Townsville later this year.

The skill of the games played at the tournament was exemplified by the skills displayed by players such as current NT National Hockey League squad member Jason Smith and ex NSW National Hockey League player Di Inderwisch. Di's strength and skill were noted with her awards of top goal scorer and best and fairest for the tournament.

Other players to receive awards were: Nikki MacLeod tying with Di Inderwisch for women's top goal scorer; Tom Britton of VIC and Mark Nipperness of SANT also tied for top goal scorers for the men.

The national sides will not only represent the ADF at the country championships but may also get the opportunity to tour Singapore for two weeks in late September. This will offer a big boost to ADF hockey players who have not had the chance to tour overseas since going to New Zealand in 1991.

The more senior members of the hockey fraternity will also have their opportunity at the Australian Masters Games at Newcastle in October. ADF Hockey is currently seeking nominations for both men and women's teams and any interested members should contact their state representative.

Details can be found on the ADF sports council website at: http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/adfsc/.

ADF teams:

MEN: NSW - manager WO2 Roger McPherson, umpire LSSIG Clay Finnemore, FLGOFF Owen Reinhardt, ABATA Derek Bunt, LSET Matt Bradley, ABET Haydn Darragh, LT Peter Young, LEUT Stuart Cayzer; SANT - coach FLGOFF Gordon Brown, physiothrapist CPL Jack Kruljac, captain SGT Terry Brodin, ABSIG Jason Smith, CPL Andrew Ribbans, BDR Mark Nipperness; ACT - OCDT Peter Nugent, OCDT Michael Sleeman, TPR Justin Schremmer, OCDT Trent Schurmann, FLGOFF Peter Coomber; QLD - FLGOFF Peter Kershaw, CPL Phillip Southern, CAPT Phillip Strapp; VIC - SGT Alan Brown, PTE Adam Spry, CAPT Shane Peachey, ABCK Steve McWilliams, CAPT Ben van Parreren; WA - SBLT Robert Underdown.

WOMEN: NSW - captain WO2 Leanne Iseppi, CAPT Nicole Bradley, CAPT Linda Rae, LT Anna Williams, LACW Larissa Larsen, PTE Verity Sanchez, SBLT Kathryn Burr, SBLT Jane Landon, CPL Nina Poynting, ABCSO Susan Lehman, LACW Cathrine McCrae; WASANT - physiotherapist Monica Kleinrahm, CPL Di Inderwisch, CPL Lisa Makey, LCPL Melissa Robinson, CPL Pam Lonergan, LEUT Rachel Clarke; ACT - manager SGT Vicki Chapman, OCDT Bryony Barker, CPL Kim Irvine; QLD - SBLT Amanda Wearmouth, LEUT Patricia Sweetman, CPL Naomi Twoomey, FLGOFF Chelsea Dunn; VIC - umpire Craig Millar, LEUT Corey Flynn, PLTOFF Debbie Owen.