By DENISE GERSBACH
The Parkes Women's Masters Hockey Team has emerged victorious, claiming the Division 1 title at the Masters in the Bush Carnival in Dubbo from 14-16 March.
Competing in sweltering 37-degree heat across three intense days, the Parkes team showcased outstanding endurance, skill and teamwork to secure the championship.
Parkes played seven matches throughout the tournament, demonstrating consistent and disciplined hockey.
Their round matches yielded impressive results, including a 3-0 win (Wendy Huppatz, Tracey Harrison, Naomi Spark), a narrow 0-1 loss, a dominant 4-0 victory (Wendy Huppatz, Louise Hawken, Naomi Spark, Casey Miles), another strong 3-0 win (Casey Miles, Louise Hawken, Jane Mattiske), a hard-fought 2-1 win (Casey Miles 2), and a tightly contested 0-0 draw.
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These performances secured their spot in the Division 1 grand final.
In the highly anticipated final, Parkes delivered when it mattered most, securing a 2-0 victory with two decisive goals from Naomi Spark.
Their triumph is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the team, who train year-round to maintain their competitive edge.
Coach David Mike praised the team’s performance.
"The skill level of the team for so early in the season was very impressive and sets them up for what I hope will be another successful year," he said.
The Masters in the Bush Carnival was once again a resounding success, drawing teams from across NSW and the ACT.
The tournament provided a fantastic opportunity for experienced players to showcase their skills, compete at a high level and foster camaraderie within the hockey community.
The Parkes Women's Masters team will now begin to prepare for the Western Masters League Competition and the NSW State Championships later in the year.
