Geelong underwater hockey stars claim under-15 national title
A TRIO of Geelong underwater hockey stars have helped guide Victoria to the under-15 national title.
In what has been described as one of the most thrilling games of underwater hockey, Victoria prevailed over Western Australia A by just one goal in a nailbiting 6-5 win in Perth.
The visiting team included local stars Leo Chen, Tiana Krilcic and Andy Han, who all play underwater hockey at Waterworld in Norlane.
Geelong Underwater Hockey Club’s Stuart McCallum said it was an eventful final.
“It was probably the most exciting game of underwater hockey most people had ever watched, it was just a ripper,” McCallum said.
“People were getting thrown to the sin bin, it was goal for goal all game, goals disallowed on the tray because someone gloved it in instead of a legitimate flick, play going up and down with no score, the kids were all exhausted hanging in there.
“It was really won in the last 30 seconds, I suppose.”
Victoria had dominated the round robin tournament but the home side remained hot on their tail.
“Our Vic team was on the top of the ladder after playing each team twice, so we went into the final with a higher percentage,” McCallum said.
“We were a bit worried they would have been keen to even up the score in their home state, but our kids did a really good job in saying, ‘We’re going to win this’, and they did, to their credit and to their parents’ delight.”
Geelong Underwater Hockey Club trains and plays every Wednesday night from 7.30pm at Waterworld.