Sydney South Hockey Association have celebrated winning a third Hockey NSW state championship title in quick succession.
Following the recent success of their under-18s boys and under-15s girls teams at state level, Sydney South’s open men’s team won the division three championship over the June long weekend.
The championships, held at the Moorebank Hockey Complex, featured 28 teams over the three divisions. Sydney South’s men will be promoted to division two next year.
The association did not compete in the 2017 titles, with team manager Angelo Donni bringing a new group of players together for this season.
“We saw the need to restart our program with a nucleus of experienced players and add the exciting young talent that we have developed through the junior ranks in recent years,” Donni said.
“We want to keep momentum going and have this team play together in 2019 and beyond.”
Led by experienced player-coaches Wade Tonna and Blake Sharp and assisted by mentor Sean Kelly, the team progressed through the pool stage of the competition undefeated.
A 3-0 win over Coffs Coast saw Sydney South qualify for the final against Manning Valley who were also undefeated.
Sydney South won a hard fought final thanks to a Nic Donni field goal and a goal conversion.
Sydney South’s open women’s team also competed at the state titles in Narellan but fell to Tamworth in their semi-final to finish fourth in division two.