6 minute read
Hockey
First XI Hockey
After a rough last couple of years in 2020 and 2021, with interruptions to the Winter Season due to Covid-19, the First XI Hockey team looked to come back to normality with a Premiership. Camberwell Grammar started the season strong with wins over PEGS and Yarra Valley, preparing them for the annual grudge match against archrivals Trinity. They were able to hold an early 2-0 lead for the duration of the game and came away with the win. Leading into the July holidays, Camberwell Grammar was able to finish undefeated before the break, with wins over Marcellin and Ivanhoe.
After the July holidays, they looked to continue their undefeated streak leading into the finals, after winning a friendly match against APS team, Scotch. Camberwell Grammar then faced Yarra Valley, for the second time in the semi-final, however, with a weakened squad due to some injuries to key players. Yarra Valley gave the team a run for its money by keeping the score to 2-1 in favour of Camberwell Grammar at halftime. They overcame the nerves and were able to finish the game 4-1, leading to a Camberwell Grammar vs. Trinity grand final at Matlock reserve. Unfortunately, Trinity claimed the Premiership, after sharing it with Camberwell Grammar in the 2021 season. An unfortunate result, however a fantastic effort nonetheless to reach the grand final.
The School’s Hockey looks to have a bright future ahead, with some upcoming superstars, and we wish them the best of luck. We would like to thank Mr Watson and Mr Webster for their continued support of all the students, something which we all have appreciated and benefited from greatly.
Liam Corr and Nicolaas Bray Co-captains
Second Hockey
Second XI Gold Hockey had an overall strong season and an enjoyable and hopefully memorable one for the students. They operated as something of a counter-striking team throughout the season, with a strong and reliable defensive line from which many quick and exciting runs through the midfield and into the forward line took place at turnovers, resulting in most of our goals. In this way, we were able to create some very solid results against strong teams, in lieu of dominating possession in most of our games.
Similarly, the Second XI Blue Hockey team had an amazing season with eight wins, one draw, and one loss. Even though the students came up short against Trinity, I am still proud of how far they have come. We constantly showed what it means to be a team. When Jerry Zhou gained confidence and attempted to score goals in a few of the games, almost everybody got excited and gathered around him. I have no more words to say other than that I am super proud of how they have played throughout this year.
Training and games were always approached with an easygoing air of enjoyment by all as they relished their final times representing Camberwell Grammar in sport and playing with their friends whom they have played Hockey with for many years.
Mr Dylan Kitchener and Mr Julian Lugg Coaches
Intermediate Hockey
2022 brought a welcome return to an uninterrupted Hockey season and the Year 9 and 10 students in the Intermediate A Hockey teams trained and played enthusiastically under the direction of their wonderful coaches, Des Duarte and Ryan Box.
As is tradition, Camberwell Grammar fielded two evenly talented teams with the experience of Year 10s such as Josh Cooper and Ethan Loi complimenting the many young guns, including Oliver Phillips, Thomas Chen-Low, and Jack Brant. We were also fortunate to have two highly skilled goalkeepers in Ioan Hillard and Hamish Westcott, who proved to be very difficult to pass. In addition to the usual hard-fought matches against Trinity Grammar, the highlight of the season was the match between both Camberwell Grammar teams which was played with high intensity and skill and was determined by a goal to the Blue team in the last minute of the game.
The Intermediate B Hockey team worked consistently hard throughout this season to improve their skills and teamwork. Owen Wu, Jack Giang, and Will Li led by example and helped motivate the team. Early games saw very few goals, but as the season progressed the skills in passing and shooting for goals improved immensely. Owen Wu and Christopher Cohen shared the goalie role and fought off many an attack by the opposing team. The latter half of the season saw a much-improved team, with increased fitness levels, swift passes, and greater communication. The coach Steven Hannah was absolutely fantastic, being one of the team and an amazing mentor. Overall, while they didn’t get as many wins as they thought they would, they still tried hard and had a lot of fun.
Mr Matthew Christopher and Ms Sally Walk Teachers in Charge
Year 7/8 Hockey
What a wonderful Hockey season it has been for the Year 7 and 8 students. Both teams were able to improve dramatically throughout the season. In particular, the A team was a class above all competitors going undefeated throughout the entire season.
For the A team, Chloe was a fantastic coach this season. Setting up game-like plays in training and then the students undertaking these within matches. This reflected her in-depth knowledge of the game of Hockey. The team was not only able to win every match it played but, on most occasions, the Camberwell Grammar score line was never less than 3 goals and stretched as far as 8 and 7-goal victories on more than two occasions.
The B team found the season challenging but very enjoyable. The coach Indika came to the School with a wealth of knowledge. He was able to improve the skill and ability of the majority of players in the squad. All players were very supportive of the team and many of them were very close to being elevated to the A team. Jai Anand Malik was a stand-out and someone who deserves to be recognised. After developing his skills and ball use throughout the season, his ability to convey this in matches caught the eye of both coaches. With two matches remaining in the season, Jai was asked to join the A team and he should be congratulated for his efforts.
Thank you to all of the wonderful parents who supported both teams throughout the season. Making sure their son was on time and ready for matches or early departing buses. A special mention must go Mr Webster for his experience and guidance throughout the season. His instruction and helping hand were always appreciated and the knowledge he imparts to the students is invaluable.
Mr Dominic McLaughlin
Teacher in Charge
