Memorable 2023 Australian U21 Championships conclude in Sydney

This year’s Hockey Australia U21 Championships will go down as one to remember after an enthralling week of competition at the Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre.

Three of the four medal matches were decided by a goal or less on a pulsating final day that also included two high scoring thrillers in Men’s classification matches.

New South Wales State were crowned U21 Women’s Champions after prevailing 4-3 over Queensland. There were three goals scored in the final five minutes after it was 2-2 at half time, NSW State captain Lily Neilson’s second goal in the 56th minute proving the winner.

Earlier Western Australia won back-to-back Men’s titles as a solitary 8th minute goal from captain Cambell Geddes saw them edge past New South Wales 1-0 in the gold medal match.

In the Men’s bronze medal match, Victoria appeared to have it in the bag until Queensland came from two goals down, scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to send the match to a shootout. The Queensland Men carried the momentum into the shootout, winning 3-2 thanks to heroics from goalkeeper Jesse Folpp.

Western Australia recorded an 8-0 rout of Tasmania in the Women’s bronze medal match, Jessica Freedman scoring a hat-trick.

Meanwhile, Tasmania defeated the Northern Territory 6-5 in a classic in the Men’s playoff for 7th/8th. The Men’s 5th/6th playoff was just as exciting with SA beating the ACT 5-4.

Victorian Liam Henderson was named the Men’s Player of the Tournament, with ACT’s Aiden Dooley finishing as the Top Goal Scorer.

In the Women’s competition, NSW State’s Alana Kavanagh was voted Player of the Tournament, with teammate Lily Nelson sharing the Top Goal Scorer with Victoria’s Zara Geddis.

A replay of every match from the championships is available on LIVEHockey.

The 2023 Hockey Australia U21 Championships were proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

2023 Hockey Australia U21 Championships - Final Standings
Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre, NSW

Men’s Competition
Men’s results and final standings
Gold Medal - Western Australia
Silver Medal - New South Wales
Bronze Medal - Queensland

Player of the Tournament - Liam Henderson (VIC)
Top Goal Scorer - Aiden Dooley (ACT)

Play the Whistle Award - Queensland
Umpires of the Gold Medal Match - Jayden Pearson, Daniel Johnston
Technical Official of the Gold Medal Match - Kevin Margetson
Umpires of the Bronze Medal Match - Tim Mckenzie, Jordan Moore
Technical Official of the Bronze Medal Match - James Stewart

Women’s Competition
Women’s results and final standings
Gold Medal - New South Wales State
Silver Medal - Queensland
Bronze Medal - Western Australia

Player of the Tournament - Alana Kavanagh (NSW State)
Top Goal Scorer - Lily Neilson (NSW State) & Zara Geddis (VIC)
Play the Whistle Award - Queensland
Umpires of the Gold Medal Match - Deborah O’Connell, Cassidy Gallagher
Technical Official of the Gold Medal Match - Kerry Liebenberg
Umpires of the Bronze Medal Match - Michelle Farnill, Nicola Brown
Technical Official of the Bronze Medal Match - Maree Whitchurch