Hunter stars Nathan Czinner, Ky Willott and Mariah Williams will lead the NSW Pride into its JDH Hockey One League season opener this weekend.
After receiving a bye in the first round of the elite eight-week national competition, the highly-touted state men’s and women’s line-ups face the Brisbane Blaze at the Queensland State Hockey Centre on Saturday 14 October.
And, while NSW is keen to defend its crowns in both formats, all players are also determined to make their marks with Olympic selection on the line for the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos for Paris 2024.
Their success could have a long-lasting effect, too.
“The Pride’s men’s and women’s teams are inspiring more kids to pick up hockey sticks, which is ensuring we are inspiring the next generation of players in Australia,” Hockey NSW CEO Emma Highwood said.
NSW coach Brent Livermore named Czinner and Willott to face Brisbane, although locals Rory Walker and Ryan Woolnough are expected to figure at some stage of the tournament.
Unfortunately, Matt Dawson was forced to withdraw due to family reasons.
“Even though I’m not playing this weekend, I know the boys are feeling well-prepared and ready to start the campaign off on the right foot,” Woolnough said.
“They’re aware it will be a challenge, as the Blaze is a very handy team, evident in its 10-2 win last week against the Adelaide Fire.
“But, as all good players do, they are looking forward to the grind that awaits them and have plans in place to counteract the Blaze’s attack and exploit their defence.”
Not many people would be surprised by the selection of Willott.
The 22-year-old, who is currently based in Perth, remains a popular member of the Norths Hockey Club.
The Lake Macquarie striker made his debut for the Kookaburras against Malaysia in April 2022 and, since then, has scored eight goals in 31 appearances.
Meanwhile, South Newcastle Hockey Club midfielder Czinner boasts rep honours with the Australian under-21 squad.
Hunter product Williams will captain the women’s side, although teenager Ellie Baldwin and Estelle Hughes missed a spot for the Pride this week.
“I’m glad to be back playing for NSW, where it all started,” she said.
“It would be great to lead the Pride to back-to-back Hockey One titles.
“We’ve assembled a squad with a lot of young girls, so I love that they’ll test me.
“But, I also hope that I’ll inspire them to be a Hockeyroo one day.”
NSW Pride
- Women’s team: 1. Alice Arnott, 3. Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 7. Laura Reid, 8. Greta Hayes, 13. Sarah Johnston, 14. Makayla Jones, 16. Alana Kavanagh, 20. Kaitlin Nobbs, 23. Abby Wilson, 24. Maddison Smith, 25. Emma Spinks, 26. Grace Stewart, 27. Kendelle Tait, 30. Mariah Williams (c), 32. Grace Young
- Men’s team: 1. Lachlan Sharp, 2. Tom Craig, 5. Ash Thomas (gk), 7. Daine Richards, 8. Nathanael Stewart, 9. Nathan Czinner, 13. Blake Govers, 14. Dylan Martin, 15. Miles Davis, 19. Jack Hayes (c), 20. Ky Willott, 22. Flynn Ogilvie, 28. Sam Gray, 29. Tim Brand, 32. Callum Mackay
2023 JDH Hockey One League
Round two draw:
Friday 13 October
- HC Melbourne v Adelaide Fire (Melbourne Sports Centre – Parkville)
- Start times: Women’s 6.30pm (AEDT), Men’s 8pm (AEDT)
Saturday 14 October
- Brisbane Blaze v NSW Pride (Queensland State Hockey Centre)
- Start times: Women’s 7.30pm (AEDT), Men’s 9pm (AEDT)
Sunday 15 October
- Canberra Chill v Tassie Tigers (National Hockey Centre, Canberra)
- Start times: Men’s 2pm (AEDT), Women’s 3.30pm (AEDT)
Bye: Perth Thundersticks
NSW Pride
Men
- Coach: Brent Livermore
- 2022 finish: 1st
- Players to watch: Tom Craig, Blake Govers, Ky Willott
Comments: The two-time Hockey One League champions timed their run to perfection last season, coming from a goal down to see off the Blaze in an epic semi-final before edging out the Perth Thundersticks in a gripping final thanks to Willott’s tomahawk screamer and subsequent conversion.
The Brent Livermore and Jack Hayes leadership combination will relish walking around with a target on their back in 2023, with a more settled line-up and a host of players looking to push their case for higher honours, particularly goalie Ash Thomas and Daine Richards.
Their claims for a third straight trophy include having additional access to Kookaburras stars Tim Brand, Blake Govers and Lachie Sharp who all accounted for just one appearance in last year’s edition and their elite top-end Kookaburras talent of Matt Dawson, Tom Craig, Willott, Flynn Ogilvie and Dylan Martin.
With further growth expected from the likes of Sam Gray, Tom Brown and Miles Davis, the Pride will remain the hunted for their Hockey One League rivals.
Women
- Coach: Scott Barker
- 2022 finish: 1st
- Players to watch: Jocelyn Bartram, Grace Stewart, Grace Young
Comments: Jocelyn Bartram’s shootout heroics and Greta Hayes’ title-winning shootout will go down in Hockey One League folklore, as the Pride came from behind and survived a frantic last quarter with two yellow cards to defeat the Brisbane Blaze.
With an average-age of 23, last year’s national champions return with a new coach, the highly-credentialed Scott Barker, who previously coached the Russian national side.
The Pride has a brilliant spine, set up from the back by Hockeyroos number one Bartram, returnee Kaitlin Nobbs, followed by national teammates Grace Young, Mariah Williams and Grace Stewart.
When you consider the likes of Hayes, Abby Wilson, alongside Australia A representatives Maddison Smith, Alice Arnott and National Under-21 Player of the Tournament Alana Kavanagh, there’s seemingly an embarrassment of riches at their disposal.
The recruitment of Laura Reid from the Canberra Chill has flown under the radar, but there’s no chance of that happening for the Pride as their competitors seek to unseat them from pole position.
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