Several local players joined the best from across the state to participate in Hockey Victoria’s Junior State Championships in Melbourne over the weekend.

This tournament brings together the cream of underage hockey players from across the state, representing three regional and six metropolitan zones, and was played at venues in Parkville and Footscray.

The Wimmera Hockey Association is part of the North West Lightning zone, along with Hockey Central Vic (Bendigo), North Central, Sunraysia, and Goulburn Valley associations, and several Horsham players with dual memberships represented the West Vic Eagles that includes those affiliated with the Ballarat, Glenelg, Hockey South West (Warrnambool), and Portland associations.

Although none of the teams that included Wimmera players enjoyed much success on the scoreboard, the experience gained playing alongside the state’s best players and being guided by some of the best coaches will improve their hockey and help strengthen the local competition.

Warracknabeal’s Ellie Williamson and Dimboola’s Victoria Ward earned places in the Lightning Under 16 Girls’ squad, although unfortunately, Victoria was unable to play after sustaining an injury in a local game the previous weekend, but she was able to attend and be part of the experience.

Their first six matches ended in defeats, after which they contested the Seventh-Place Play-off against the West Vic Eagles, which resulted in a scoreless draw.

Horsham’s James Mackereth played in the Lightning’s Under 14 Boys team, which was under the guidance of Wimmera coach Paul Mackereth, and experienced some more success.

The team went through their three matches in the first round without a win, and although they suffered a narrow loss in their first match in the second round, they followed this up with three wins to finish on top of their pool.

From this, they progressed to the Fifth-place Play-off match, which they lost by three goals.

Horsham player Hunter Knoop and his brother Riley represented the West Vic Eagles in this age group, and when these two teams met in the second round, the Lightning had the edge, defeating the Eagles by two goals.

Horsham’s Olivia Knoop played for the West Vic Eagles, who won the Seventh Place Play-off match in the Under 14 Girls division.


Horsham coach Paul Mackereth and player James Mackereth, were both part of the North West Lightning Under 14 Boys team.


Dimboola’s Victoria Ward and Warracknabeal’s Ellie Williamson were both part of the Lightning’s Under 16 Girls squad.