ACT MEN CROWNED INDOOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

The ACT Open Men’s team has been crowned National Champions in front of a packed home crowd at the National Hockey Centre, defeating Victoria 4-1 in today’s final.

Undefeated in the round games, the team entered as favourites and took control from the start. Glenn Turner opened the scoring early, converting a penalty corner in the third minute. Victoria equalized in the eighth minute with a field goal from Xavier Herrington, but that would be their only goal. Just before the quarter break, Ben Staines converted a penalty corner, putting the ACT ahead 2-1. Aiden Dooley extended the lead in the second quarter, finishing a powerful shot from a brilliant pass by Xavi Gispert. The Spanish international, Gispert, sealed the victory, ensuring the team's dominance until the final whistle.

Victoria threw everything at the ACT team in the final quarter, opting to play with an additional field player instead of their goalkeeper for the entire period. However, it wasn’t enough as ACT lifted the trophy for the first time since 2007. From that 2007 squad, only two players remain: Matthew Hotchkis, and Garry Backhus.

The team also claimed a bounty of awards from the tournament, winning the Play the Whistle Award for their sportsmanship and sharing the tournament's leading goal scorer title between Aiden Dooley, Xavi Gispert, and Victorian Andrew Scanlon.

In the women’s competition, the ACT Open Women’s team finished their tournament in style, winning the bronze medal match 3-2 against Victoria. In the gold medal match, NSW State triumphed over Queensland with a 1-0 victory.

The indoor action continues at Lyneham with the U21 Championships starting on Thursday, 19th December, and the U18, U16, and U14 Championships set to begin on 6th January 2025.

Results:

Men:

Gold Medal: ACT 4 (Glenn Turner, Ben Staines, Aiden Dooley, Xavier Gispert) – VIC (Xavier Harrington)

Highest Goal Scorer of the Tournament: Aiden Dooley, Xavier Gispert (ACT), Andrew Scanlon (VIC)

Women:

Gold Medal: NSW State 1 (Kaitlyn Lee) – QLD 0

Bronze Medal: ACT 3 (Ellie Rayer, Helen Legge, Emma Baxter) – VIC (Jamie Zimmerman 2)

Final Standings:

Men                                                                              Women

Gold – Australian Capital Territory                            Gold – New South Wales

Silver – Victoria                                                         Silver – Queensland

Bronze – Tasmania                                                   Bronze – Australian Capital Territory

More information: https://hockeyaustralia.altiusrt.com/

Live Stream: www.livehockey.com.au/en/home