On Thursday 11 September, our Year 6 Hockey team represented St Catherine’s at the SSV State Hockey Primary Girls Championship at the Footscray Hockey Centre, the final stage of an incredible journey through the District, Regional and now State competitions.

Our team of 10 students had already shown tremendous skill and resilience to reach this level, and they carried that same energy and determination into the State Finals. After a morning briefing and warm-up, we faced Wembley Primary School in our opening match. With several Victorian State players in their side, they proved to be a tough opponent. Despite trailing 4–1 at halftime, the girls showed great spirit, with a brilliant goal from Katie Kemp just seconds into the second half and strong defensive efforts from Arabella Lutz and Lulu Morris. Lottie Rose was lively in the pocket early, looking dangerous and creating scoring opportunities, keeping the pressure on Wembley’s defence. Ultimately, Wembley proved too strong, securing a 7–2 win.

With spirits lifted (and a few lollies for good measure!), the girls regrouped for their second-round clash against Bairnsdale West Primary School. This game was fiercely contested, with goals from Indi Peat and a hat-trick of 3 goals from Missy Byrne giving us a narrow lead. Pearl came out firing after a quick chocolate burst, running tirelessly through the midfield and making her presence felt all over the ground. A brilliant last-minute save from Millie Macrae sealed a thrilling 4–3 victory, a well-deserved highlight for the team and their supporters.

After a long break, our final round was against Hartwell Primary School. Both teams started strongly, with neither giving an inch for the opening minutes. Hartwell’s teamwork saw them break away in the first half, but our girls reset at the break with the message to enjoy the moment and make the most of the State Finals. The second half was a showcase of resilience, led by outstanding defensive efforts from Nina Steedman and Inneke Wright, with the team fighting hard until the final whistle.

The day ended on a truly special note. In addition to our equal 3rd finish, our team was recognised with the Spirit of Sport Award, a prestigious honour that celebrates positive attitude, respect, integrity, and leadership. Importantly, this award is based on nominations from other schools and officials, making it a powerful recognition of the way our girls represented St Catherine’s, with sportsmanship, inclusivity and joy for the game.

Ms Cody and Mr Gray could not have been prouder of the team’s efforts and the values they demonstrated both on and off the field. This season has been a remarkable journey for our Year 6 Hockey team, filled with resilience, teamwork and unforgettable memories.

A huge thank you to all the parents and grandparents who came out to support and cheer on the girls. Your encouragement made the day even more special. A huge thank you also to our coaches, Mr Gray and Mr Dacy, who have guided the girls through each competition and training session, and to Violetta, one of our Year 11 students, whose support, enthusiasm and knowledge have helped the team every step of the way.

Congratulations to all the girls on an outstanding season and for showing that the true spirit of sport is just as important as the final score.