History made in Bendigo as WA and ACT triumph at the U21 National Championships
Published Mon 12 May 2025
The Under-21 National Championships have wrapped up in Bendigo, with an unprecedented six states and territories taking home the men’s and women’s medals and showcasing the immense depth in talent across Australian hockey.
The U21 National Championships are the last step in Hockey Australia’s player pathway system, showcasing the finest Under-21 talent as they vie for national honours under the eyes of Hockey Australia’s Under-21 National selectors.
Here’s a wrap of all the Finals match action from Bendigo.
The Under 21 National Championships are proudly supported by City of Greater Bendigo and the Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions through the Significant Sporting Events Program.
U21 WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP: ACT breaks 41-year drought with 2-1 win over Queensland
The Australian Capital Territory have pulled off a remarkable feat, winning the Under-21 National Championships for the first time in 41 years, with a dominant campaign that saw them progress through the tournament unbeaten.
Securing the territory’s first gold medal since 1984, didn’t come without adversity and trying circumstances, as the team was forced to overcome exceptional circumstances and multiple injuries and illnesses to achieve the feat.
Ahead of the trip to Victoria, the side was forced to train without the majority of their squad as they were hit with back-to-back injuries and illness, from hamstring tears, to appendix surgery, stress fractures and torn ligaments.
The side was then hit with two late withdrawals just weeks out from the opening match, which saw two 17-year-olds called up, ahead of what would eventually prove to be one of their biggest opportunities.
As the side progressed through the pool stages of competition unbeaten, more bad luck struck as they lost key striker Lauren Yee to a broken eye socket and goalkeeper Alyssa Smith to illness ahead of the semi-final.
It saw 17-year-olds Clare Crossman and goalie Katie Blackmore thrust into the spotlight, with Katie forced to defend in a semi-final, having played only half a match against Tasmania.
Remarkably, the side came together to beat Tasmania 3-0 and progress to the gold medal match, where Katie had another huge role to play while Alyssa was still in the hospital.
Fronting the match with nerves of steel, Katie stepped up alongside goal scorers Tori Adamson and Imogen Dorsett to secure the 2-1 win and bring home the gold.
U21 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WOMEN’S FINAL RESULTS
ACT: 2 (Tori Adamson 27” & Imogen Dorsett 47”)
QLD: 1 (Jamie-Lee Surha 27”)
WOMEN’S BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
VIC: 6 (Zara Geddis 2”, 30”, 44”, Evie Stansby 41” & Rebecca McNess 45” & 56”)
TAS: 0
U21 MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP: WA secure historic four-peat in thrilling 1-0 win over NSW
Western Australia have cemented their dominance in the Men’s Under 21 National Championships in Bendigo, claiming a tense 1-0 victory over New South Wales to secure their fourth straight title under Head Coach Tim Geers.
As a gold-medal worthy battle between east and west ensued, both sides were locked at nil-all heading into the final half.
The decisive moment came midway through the third quarter when WA forward Charlie Johnstone broke the deadlock with a sharp finish inside the circle, capping off a slick passage of play that began deep in their own half.
The Championship win is even more remarkable given WA lost a core group of players in 2024 after achieving a three-peat, as they transitioned out of the Under-21 age-grade.
And the historic result wasn’t lost on the current squad of players and their Head Coach Tim Geers as they fell to their knees at full-time.
“The talent is far better than when I came through the Under 21 age-grade as a player,” Tim Geers told Jason Gabriel and Jane Claxton on Hockey WA’s The Hockey Hour ahead of finals.
“The cohort who came through in 2022 is now making an imprint in the Kookaburras’ program this year. We beat Victoria in the final, and they now have five or six players in the Kookaburras squad, and we’ve enjoyed seeing our own Cam Geddes in there too.
“That’s what has been a really proud thing for me is watching these guys come through and progress to the national junior squads. The group we have here this year is incredibly exciting and different to the one we’ve had in the last few years, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve.”
WA’s triumph continues a golden era for the state, with Geers now having coached WA to five-straight national titles, including the Under-18 Championships in 2019.
U21 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS MEN’S RESULTS
MEN’S GOLD MEDAL MATCH
WA: 1 (Charlie Johnston 34”)
NSW: 0
MEN’S BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
TAS: 3 (Oliver Stebbings 25” & 34”, Oscar Pritchard 52”)
SA: 1 (Kyton Rayner 59”)
