Margaret River Underwater Hockey Club has been working hard and achieving great things, despite not having a local pool to train in for nearly two years.
A strong contingent of players travelled to Cairns in April for the 2024 Underwater Hockey National Championships.
Of note was the U15 team which featured eight local players - Finn McDonnell, Robbie Rose, Oscar Bailey, Amelie Bailey, Lily Palmer and Max Palmer - and was coached by local Clare Forward.
Throughout a gruelling round robin this team put in a solid effort with wins over Victoria, NSW and Queensland B and drawing with SA in an intense game. This put the team second behind Queensland coming into the finals. The team dug deep in a semi final with South Australia, but were beaten by one goal counting them out of the running for gold.
They finished the tournament with a win over NSW to bring home a bronze medal.
They finished the tournament with a resounding win over NSW to bring home a well deserved bronze medal.
Outstanding performances were noted from Vice Captain Amelie Bailey who gracefully outclassed more experienced players from other states with her smooth manoeuvres.
Finn McDonnell also topped the scoreboard coming in as the highest U15 goal scorer for the championships.
In the U19 team, Margaret River born and bred Nellie Lee, Meg Barling and Kai Cranfield were outstanding with their performance, bringing home silver in this category in a hard fought battle with Queensland in the final. This duo went on to compete in the elite women's division alongside Clare Forward.
The WA elite women's team went through the tournament undefeated, but were pipped by Queensland 2-1 in the grand final.
Charlie Crimble-Hall, Roi Walsh and Grace Melville all competed in the national competition, joining junior teams in additional divisions. Nellie Lee and Meg Barling were both selected in the U19 Australian team to travel to Kuala Lumpur in July to compete in the age group Underwater Hockey World Championships.
Nellie Lee was announced captain of this team, a huge achievement for this Margaret River player.
A huge part of the success of this junior contingent is thanks to the outstanding dedication and commitment of local parent and Junior Western Australian Team Manager Andrea Roche, and other supporting Margaret River Club members.
The club will be starting social games three times a week in the newly reopened Margaret River pool from Monday April 29, and will be recruiting new players. To find out more visit facebook.com/MargaretRiverUnderwaterHockeyClub
