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NSW Underwater Hockey is affiliated with Underwater Hockey Australia and the Australian Underwater Federation.
CMAS 6th Underwater Hockey Age Group World Championships 2024
by Isaak Campbell & Rod el Pichini
What is the tournament about?
The CMAS Age Group Underwater Hockey World Championships is a bi-annual championship which was held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for its 6th edition.
The championship is held over a two week period starting from 16th July to the 27th of July 2024.
Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS) is an international federation that represents underwater activities in underwater sport and underwater sciences, and oversees an international system of recreational snorkel and scuba diver training and recognition. It is also known by its English name, the World Underwater Federation, and its Spanish name, Confederación Mundial De Actividades Subacuáticas.
Our NSW Reprensentatives
Including Ben Stepkovitch, NSW, coach of the AUS U19M team.
On Friday 12th of July, the Sydney and neighbouring UWH clubs farewelled our strong talented athletes on their journey to Malaysia. The excitement was palpable as friends, family, and supporters gathered to send off the dedicated players.
Estiven's powerful strokes and unwavering focus were the backbone of their defense, while Blair's lightning speed and agility left opponents scrambling to keep up. Their synergy was palpable, creating a dynamic that not only inspired their teammates but also captivated the audience while Jack, as a reserve, was rooting for them and training in Sydney for the next world championships.
Jenny's runaway goals sent shivers down the opponents' spines with her team right beside her. The matches was in full swing, and Jenny's skillful maneuvers were making all the difference. Her teammates rallied around her, their synchronized movements creating a fluid dance beneath the surface.
These athletes had trained tirelessly for months, honing their skills and building their strength, all with the goal of representing their country with pride. The upcoming tournament in Malaysia promised to be a challenging yet rewarding experience, an opportunity to compete against some of the best teams from around the world. With the 2026 world championships coming soon, more than these four athletes from NSW could play by their side.
Under 24's Men
Grand Final: New Zealand vs. Australia (6-2)
First half:
The men’s U24 final saw New Zealand triumph over Australia with an impressive score of 6-2. New Zealand took the lead with a quick opening goal, followed by a second thanks to their fast, technical play. Australia, far from giving up, hit back with two consecutive goals, bringing the two teams level. However, just before half-time, the Kiwis regained the lead with a crucial third goal, bringing the score to 3-2. It was in this period that New Zealand really showed their superiority.
Second half:
With brilliant team hockey, they scored three more goals, exploiting every Australian defensive error. The Kiwis’ constant pressure prevented the Australians from getting back into the game, despite their determination.
To be continued:
New Zealand have won the U24 World Championship title, once again proving their dominance in this competition. Congratulations to the Kiwis for their outstanding performance throughout the tournament. Australia, despite defeat, showed great fighting spirit and finished in second place, another fine performance. In the match for third place, Great Britain triumphed over France with a score of 3-2 after extra time. This intense match saw the British claim the bronze medal thanks to a decisive performance in extra time. The French fought to the end, but it was Great Britain who came away with the bronze.
| Name | Position | State |
| #1 Estiven Vivas | Half/Fullback | New South Wales |
| #2 Josiah Hartley | Halfback | Queensland |
| #3 Nick Hind (Vice Captain) | Centre/Wing | Queensland |
| #4 Alex Barker | Centre/Wing | Queensland |
| #5 Kai Wagner (Captain) | Half/Fullback | Queensland |
| #6 Edward Hepher | Wing | Tasmania |
| #7 Jacob Brown | Wing/Centre | Queensland |
| #8 Ben Robinson | Half/Fullback | Victoria |
| #9 Blair Shaddock | Wing | New South Wales |
| #10 Ethan Jones | Wing | Western Australia |
| #11 Jack Daly | Halfback | Queensland |
| #12 James Iredale | Half/Fullback | Western Australia |
Under 24's Women | 5th Place
Quarter Finals
Turkey vs. Australia (1-0)
In the most hotly contested quarter-final of the category, Turkey beat Australia 1-0. The match was marked by high physical intensity and iron defense on the part of the Turks, who were able to withstand the Australian onslaught.
| Name | Position | State |
| #1 Samantha Blackham (Captain) | Full/Halfback | Western Australia |
| #2 Gabrielle Larsson | Half/Fullback | Tasmania |
| #3 Alycia Roberts | Wing/Centre | Western Australia |
| #4 Charlotte Mitchell | Wing | Queensland |
| #5 Kasey Hoskins | Centre/Wing | Victoria |
| #6 Jenny Wang | Wing/Centre | New South Wales |
| #7 Amber Frame | Halfback | Western Australia |
| #8 Sarah Hartley | Wing/Centre | Queensland |
| #9 Kat Howard | Wing | Queensland |
| #10 Liah Jones | Halfback | Western Australia |
| #11 Ingrid Scoble-Hansen | Wing | Queensland |
| #12 Sienna Thomason | Half/Fullback | Queensland |
Under 19's Men | 4th Place
Semi Finals: New Zealand vs. Australia (4-0)
First half:
From the first second, New Zealand imposed their rhythm and control of the game. The Blacks, invisible in their tactical approach, quickly took the lead over their opponents thanks to solid defensive organization and incisive attack. New Zealand soon found their first opening. With a quick combination and surgical precision, they scored the first goal of the match. The Australians tried to react, but came up against an impervious New Zealand defense. Before the end of the first half, the Kiwis doubled their advantage, taking advantage of another well-exploited opportunity. This second goal put Australia under pressure and allowed New Zealand to go into half-time with a comfortable advantage.
Second half:
The second half began at the same tempo. New Zealand continued to dominate proceedings, displaying a technical and tactical mastery that left Australia little room to hope for a comeback. New Zealand scored a third goal, consolidating their lead and virtually sealing the outcome of the match. They continue to control the game, giving their opponents no chance to develop their strategy. The fourth goal crowned a faultless performance, ensuring victory for the Kiwis. With a score of 4-0, New Zealand demonstrate their undeniable superiority over Australia. Their fluid play and ability to exploit every weakness were key to this victory.
Match analysis:
New Zealand: The Kiwis impressed with their technical mastery and tactical organization.Their ability to maintain constant pressure and exploit opportunities made all the difference.
Australia:Australia showed determination, but were unable to contain New Zealand’s attacking power. The Australians suffered in the face of the speed and precision of New Zealand’s attacks, unable to find solutions to reverse the trend.
| Name | Position | State |
| #1 Jack Ryan | Wing/Centre | Victoria |
| #2 Samuel Ryder | Wing/Centre | Queensland |
| #3 Christoff Kruger | Half/Fullback | Queensland |
| #4 Ty Sloan | Wing/Halfback | Western Australia |
| #5 Kai Cranfield | Half/Fullback | Western Australia |
| #6 Rocco Thomason (Captain) | Fullback | Queensland |
| #7 Kurtis Martin | Half/Fullback | Western Australia |
| #8 Finn Paton (Captain) | Wing/Centre | Queensland |
| #9 Caden Milnes | Half/Fullback | Victoria |
| #10 Augustus Tan | Wing/Centre | Queensland |
| #11 Andrew Barker | Half/Fullback | Queensland |
| #12 Samuel Ryder | Centre | Queensland |
Under 19's Women | 1st Place
Grand Final - Australia vs. France (4-1)
For the first time ever, an Australian team won their first CMAS Worlds Championships thanks to the AUS U19 Women's!
First half:
From the very first minutes of play, Australia showed their superiority with an intense rhythm and impeccable organization. The Australians show impressive team cohesion, constantly putting the French defense under pressure. Kya Dingley opened the scoring for Australia in the final third of the first period, confirming the dominance of the yellow and green. A few minutes later, Nellie Lee doubles the score, allowing Australia to go back to the locker room with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Second half:
After the break, the French try to regain control, but Australia continues to dictate the pace of play. Australia’s defensive solidity and attacking efficiency make it difficult for Les Bleues. Meg Barling scored the third goal, further denting France’s hopes. Despite their best efforts, the French players struggled to contain their opponents’ repeated assaults.
Australia’s domination continued with Kya Dingley scoring again to take the score to 4-0. Her double confirms her key role in this team, illustrating the attacking power of the Australians.
Despite this harsh scoreline, the French team did not give up. Elisa Le Senechal Rigaud reduced the deficit with a goal, giving France a burst of hope. But it came too late to switch the score .New Zealand thus win the title of Men’s U19 World Champions, confirming their superiority after an exemplary tournament.
France, despite a fine performance, had to be content with second place, but can be proud of their achievement. Third place went to Turkey, who beat Australia 4-3 in a match of madness.
Match analysis :
Australia: The Aussies demonstrated impressive technical and tactical mastery, backed up by a speed of execution that constantly challenged the French defense. Their ability to turn chances into goals made all the difference in this final.
France: The French showed courage and determination, particularly in the second half, when they tried to come back from a goal down despite a formidable Australian team. Their fighting spirit was exemplary, and their run to the final remains impressive. Les Bleues suffered in the face of Australia’s fast-paced game, struggling to impose their rhythm. Their inability to capitalize on attacking opportunities was a hindrance throughout the match.
| Name | Position | State |
| #1 Jessica Barker | Halfback | Queensland |
| #2 Kya Digney (Vice Captain) | Centre | Western Australia |
| #3 Meg Barling | Wing | Western Australia |
| #4 Lien Dekeyser | Halfback | Queensland |
| #5 Emma Rowan | Halfback | Western Australia |
| #6 Grace Cheng | Wing | Western Australia |
| #7 Grace Wells | Wing | Tasmania |
| #8 Nellie Lee (Captain) | Fullback | Western Australia |
| #9 Jess Babich | Half/Fullback | Western Australia |
| #10 Ashleigh Mackenzie | Centre/Wing | Western Australia |
| #11 Alana Mehes (Vice Captain) | Wing | Queensland |
| #12 Jorja Horsfall | Wing | Western Australia |
Coaches
| Division | Name |
| U19s Men | Ben Stepkovitch |
| U19s Women | Anton Williams |
| U24s Men | Amar Sarmiento |
| U24s Women | Bronwyn Mackenzie |
Click here to watch the games!
More info at:
- UWH News
- More coming soon