24/05/2026
The Far North Coast Under 18 Boys representative hockey team travelled to Moorebank over the weekend to compete in the State Championships, taking on some of the strongest associations from across New South Wales. Across five tough matches, the boys showed resilience, determination and great growth as a team, representing the Far North Coast with pride and passion throughout the tournament.
The tournament began on Friday morning with a tough opening match against Southern Highlands, where the boys went down 4–0. Despite the result, the side continued to compete hard throughout the game against a polished opposition and used the experience as an important learning opportunity heading into the remainder of the championships.
Friday afternoon saw the boys return to the field against Central Coast, producing a much-improved performance in a competitive contest. Although the team went down 3–1, there were clear signs of improvement from game one, with stronger ball movement, better defensive structure and growing confidence across the group.
Saturday morning brought the breakthrough performance of the tournament, with the boys defeating Bathurst 3–1 in an outstanding team display. The side played to its full potential, combining strong defensive pressure with excellent attacking hockey to secure a well-deserved victory. It was a reward for the hard work and persistence the group had shown throughout the weekend.
Later on Saturday, the boys faced Central Coast again in what proved to be one of the toughest and most physical matches of the championships. After trailing 4–1 at halftime, the team showed enormous character to fight their way back into the contest, eventually going down narrowly 4–3. The comeback highlighted the resilience and determination of the squad, who never stopped competing until the final whistle.
The final game on Sunday was the playoff for fifth and sixth place against Sydney Beaches. In another close and hard-fought battle, the boys narrowly went down 2–1. Despite the result, the team finished the championships with their heads held high after a weekend full of effort, improvement and commitment to each other.
Congratulations to all players, coaches and supporters on a fantastic campaign. A special mention must go to Lachlan Marshall and Jack McLean, who have now completed their junior Far North Coast representative hockey journeys as top-age players. Both boys have represented the association with distinction over the past seven years and have been outstanding ambassadors for Far North Coast hockey throughout their careers. Their dedication, leadership and commitment to the association have been exceptional, and they should both be extremely proud of everything they have achieved.
Coach: Thomas Vantaggiato
