U15 SSA Championships Roundup

The Tasmanian Girls and Boys squads recently travelled to Canberra for the 2025 School Sport Australia 15 and Under Hockey Championships. 

Under 15 Girls Shine On and Off the Field

The Under 15 Girls team not only impressed on the scoreboard but also in spirit, taking home the prestigious Play the Whistle award. Which refelcted their sportsmanship and teamwork and ,most notably, their heartfelt support of the Under 15 Boys.

Throughout the tournament, the girls demonstrated grit under pressure, developing true game resilience and digging deep in tough moments. With 34 defensive penalty corners defended without conceding a single goal, every team member showed significant discipline, determination and trust in one another.

Individually, there were many standout moments. Poppy Wilson celebrated her first national goal while Claudia Hurst delivered a string of spectacular saves that kept Tasmania in the contest. Lucy Roston, named Most Valuable Player, was a defensive rock, making countless tackles and even stopping shots on the line.

In the midfield and attack, Amaya Williams covered the field tirelessly, presenting herself time and again as an option. Savannah Rice was strong in the middle, distributing the ball with vision and composure. Evie Gmelig dazzled with skilful runs up the right, while Evie Tucker intercepted with sharp anticipation. Essie Pelham provided exciting breakaways and Darcie Tollie impressed with her pace and smart leads. Violet McGregor proved her adaptability by playing multiple positions with confidence and Rosie Nation worked tirelessly in both attack and defence, chasing back when needed and making strong tackles to regain possession.

The defence was equally formidable with Maddie Nichols showcasing her solid tackling alonside reliable backline teamates Layla Cairns and Ruby Lardner. Annabelle Wicks showed relentless hustle and Charly Brown made huge strides in her game, becoming stronger and more assertive, an improvement echoed across the squad as all players built physical strength over the campaign.

Every player contributed, every player grew and together they built a bond that was as vital as any tactical plan. The Under 15 Girls’ performances on the field were outstanding, but the way they carried themselves as teammates and supporters truly made this a campaign to remember.

Tasmania’s Under 15 Boys Show Courage, Skill and Growth on National Stage

Tasmania’s Under 15 Boys team may have faced fierce competition at the national championships, but they left no doubt about their grit, skill and camaraderie. Led from the front by Angus McCrae, whose relentless press and tenacity set the tone, the squad matched effort with heart in every contest. In the midfield, Henry Cordero-Monks and Milton Harkness proved pivotal, controlling play, linking defence to attack and breaking down opposition moves with sharp tackling and quick ball movement.

The defensive core of Shanon Waite, Edward Steedman, Fred Ansell, Archer Close and Tai Tran-Lau was tested against the nation’s best. Waite’s bravery, Steedman’s tireless interceptions, Ansell’s pinpoint penalty corner strikes, Close’s flat-stick tackles and Tran-Lau’s crucial baseline saves formed a formidable last line. Oliver Vandenberg’s courage stood out, returning to the field after a painful blow to the hand to keep applying pressure.

Up front, Logan Poke was a constant threat, winning set plays and delivering key assists, while Callum Herbert celebrated his first national goal with composure in a one-on-one with the keeper. Lawson Close brought fearless circle entries and came agonisingly close to scoring with a strike that rattled the crossbar. Liam Cullen impressed with pace and relentless second efforts and Luis Codero-Monks thrilled the crowd with his trademerk 360 degree turns. 

In goal, Alexander Senior delivered reflex saves under heavy fire, while debutant Jacob Mee shone in his first national tournament, pulling off remarkable stops and growing with every match.

From debutants as young as 13 to experienced campaigners, every player rose to the challenge. The boys not only gained invaluable representative experience but also forged a team bond built on trust, effort and Tasmanian pride, proving that, in every sense, they belonged on the national stage. 

Thank you to James and Jane Ansell for their detailed updates and photos from the championships.