The Parkes Over 50s Masters Women’s team has returned home victorious, claiming gold at the prestigious Hockey Australia Masters Indoor Challenge in Canberra from January 20 to 22.
Competing in the competitive Over 50s division, the team delivered an outstanding performance, going undefeated through the three-day competition before sealing the gold medal match with a composed 3-1 victory.
The tournament attracted some of the best Masters Indoor Hockey players from across Queensland, Tasmania, NSW, Victoria and the ACT, showcasing the exceptional standard of competition.
Parkes rose to the challenge, displaying grit and precision in every game.
The team’s round matches set the tone for their dominance, with decisive wins of 3-1 (scorers: Jenine Watson, Denise Gersbach, Kath Boicos), 3-0 (Narelle Richardson 2, Amy Billett), and 4-0 (Denise Gersbach 2, Jenine Watson 2).
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They overcame a nail-biting semi-final to emerge with a 2-0 victory (Jenine Watson, Jane Mattiske), paving the way to their gold medal success.
In the grand final, the Parkes women showed their class with a composed and structured performance, defeating their opponents 3-1.
Goals from Kath Boicos, Jenine Watson, and Narelle Richardson capped off an incredible campaign.
The team owes much of its success to their experienced coach David Mike, who has been guiding Parkes Masters indoor hockey for over 17 years.
With his wealth of experience coaching at both Australian and NSW levels, Mike’s leadership was instrumental in shaping the team’s strategy and cohesion throughout the tournament.
Reflecting on their success, coach David Mike praised the team’s dedication and teamwork.
“The women demonstrated exceptional discipline, structure, and composure in every game," he said.
"This gold medal is a testament to their hard work and passion for the sport.”
The team’s indoor hockey season is far from over, as two Parkes teams are set to compete in the NSW Masters State Championships in Goulburn starting on January 31.
