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NSW State Titles

Highlights from the 2024 Underwater Hockey State Titles

The 2024 Underwater Hockey State Titles brought excitement and energy to Woy Woy, with fierce competition across the Seniors, Womens, and Juniors divisions. Hosted in a beautiful setting, this year's tournament not only showcased impressive athleticism but also highlighted the growing popularity of underwater hockey in Australia. Here’s a look at the main highlights from each division.

Woy Woy’s aquatic center set the perfect stage for an action-packed weekend. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd, including families, friends, and fans, all eager to witness the high-stakes matches. The spirit of sportsmanship and community was evident as players and supporters from Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Canberra, and Central Coast gathered, making this year's State Titles a memorable event for everyone involved.

Day 1: The Tournament Begins

Seniors Division

Teams and Results: Sydney Raiagon, Sydney Raikali, Wollongong A, Wollongong B, Newcastle

The Seniors Division at the 2024 Underwater Hockey State Titles was filled with intense action and high-stakes competition, with five teams vying for top honors.

1st Place: Sydney Raiagon emerged victorious, clinching the victory title after a series of well-coordinated plays and strategic moves that showcased their experience and cohesion as a team. Their championship win reflected their dominance throughout the tournament and set a high bar for the competition.

2nd Place: Sydney Raikali put up a strong fight, securing the podium with commendable resilience and teamwork with 2 sin bins in the grand final... ouch. Their efforts throughout the games pushed Sydney Raiagon and the other teams to elevate their gameplay, solidifying Raikali’s reputation as a formidable opponent.

3rd Place: In a hard-fought battle, Wollongong A took 3rd place, displaying great skill and dedication. After the tournament, half the team decided its time to go spearfishing than recieving medals.

Newcastle, placing 4th, showed moments of promise and strength but fell just short in critical games, finishing just outside the top three. Meanwhile, Wollongong B rounded out the standings in 5th place. Despite facing challenging games and forming the team 1 week before the comp, they demonstrated solid teamwork and a fighting spirit, making valuable contributions to an exciting tournament and setting a strong foundation for future competitions.

Women's Division

Teams and Results: Sydney Burra, Sydney Gawura, Regional

1st Place: The Womens Division at the 2024 Underwater Hockey State Titles saw some unexpected and thrilling outcomes, with Regional taking an impressive 1st place. Regional’s victory marked a significant achievement as they outplayed the Sydney-based teams, using well-coordinated tactics and resilience to secure the top spot. Their strong performance demonstrated the depth of talent in teams beyond the metro area.

2nd Place: Sydney Burra fought hard and earned 2nd place after competitive matches. Known for their cohesion and strategic play, Burra challenged Regional in a close battle for the title but ultimately fell short, making them a strong runner-up.

3rd Place: Sydney Gawura rounded out the division in 3rd place. Though they faced tough competition, Gawura showcased their skills and sportsmanship, highlighting the dedication and progress of the team throughout the tournament. Their spirited performance added to the excitement of this year's State Titles.

Junior's Division

In an exciting conclusion to the Junior Division Underwater Hockey Championship, Team New-Gong claimed the top spot, showcasing remarkable skill and teamwork. Sydney Wallumi put up a fierce fight, securing second place, while Sydney Gayadari displayed impressive resilience to land third. The championship highlighted the energy and passion young players bring to the underwater hockey scene, leaving fans eager for more. Congratulations to all the teams for an unforgettable tournament!

Day 2: Training/Development Session

Day 2 of the weekend saw both junior and senior divisions dive into an intensive training and development session. With Nationals fast approaching, players at all levels honed their skills through drills focused on agility, endurance, and advanced game strategies. Juniors looked up to senior players as mentors, gaining insight from their experience, while the seniors reinforced their own techniques, pushing their limits alongside the rising talents. The inter-division collaboration highlighted the strength and unity of the underwater hockey community, fueling excitement for the high-stakes matches to come at Nationals.

Regards, Isaak