Norths position at the front of the pack in Newcastle Hockey has been restored with both Premier League and Second Grade taking out the 2010 grand finals on Saturday.

In front of a vocal crowd second grade started the day off in fine form with a 3-0 victory over South. The win gave the Club five consecutive premierships which equals the Club record set back in the 1970's by the all-conquering first grade of that era.

The victory was sweet and the scene was set for the daily double.

With the sting of being bundled out last year still in the hearts and minds of Premier League, the boys came out of the blocks firing. Jordan Willot was first on the board when he found himself unmarked from close range. He then scored his second from a penalty corner to give the faithful plenty to cheer about on the Blue Hill.

Toward the end of the first half, Dave Broughton converted a penalty stroke to put the boys in prime position for a premiership. But games can turn in the blink of an eye and a shudder was sent through the ship when South scored a goal in the second half.

Norths rallied and when Theo Gruschka finished off a penalty corner with a beautiful deflection, the game was in the bag. As the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard read 4-1 to Norths. Redemption was blue.

What a great way to finish off the season. One which has reaped three premierships and plenty of great days at hockey with the Races Day, Ladies Day, and Stanbury-Moane Cup. Well done to all involved, be it players, administrators, mums, dads, or supporters.

Enjoy the off-season.

For a picture of the 2010 Premier League team, check out the article in The Herald

 

September is simply the season of legend.

After a long and demanding season of hockey, Norths enter the business end of the season with a junior premiership under the belt and 2 up for grabs in seniors on Saturday 25th September.

With three grand finals up for grabs in the juniors, Norths came away with a 6-1 win in A Grade over South. B Grade went down 3-2 to South while D Grade suffered a similar fete going down 1-0.

Club Coach Dave Willott was more than happy with the results, especially in B Grade.

"To make the grand final was a great achievement. South and West had beaten us by 5 goals or more all year. So to nearly take out the title it was a credit to the boys. And D Grade are in good hands with all but 2 players staying in that grade for next year".

In 2009, the hockey gods didn't shine on Premier League, having been unceremoniously bundled out in consecutive finals to South and Gosford.

This season has been different. While the opposition have been injected with unprecedented self-belief, the Blues have been slowly rebuilding the fortress for an all out September assault.

The Blues have returned to the big stage with a 1-0 away victory over Maitland in the major semi final. A spirited performance on an unfamiliar track, the Blues got over the line when Theo Gruschka deflected a Ben Howie back stick shot between the posts. Maitland came out firing, but the blues resolute defence was palpable. So good, that the Blue boys didn't concede penalty corner in the match.

They will play arch rival South Newcastle who demolished Maitland 4-0 in the final to set up a familiar clash on the big stage.The time is right for Premier League to pounce and secure our third title in 4 years. It promises to be yet another classic battle. The formula is simple, the team that wins the grind will win.

Second grade have been the jewell in the crown of the Club in recent times. In a decade of dominance (Norths have won 6 of the last seven titles) and go into the grand final on the back of a resounding 6-1 win over South.

This team is the breeding ground of future champions and a resting paddock for premier league legs, it's simply the perfect mix of youth and experience. They too will take on South and will have to be at their best to bath in glory.

This Saturday, be a part of history. Come down in your best light blue clobber and paint the Southern Hill Blue. Get amongst September. The season of legend.

This Sunday, all Norths senior players will be wearing pink socks. No, its not a bet gone wrong, its in aid of charity and a loud way of showing our thanks to the girls that have helped us have another fantastic season at the Norths Hockey Club.

The first ever Norths Ladies Day will be a fundraising event for the McGrath Foundation. There will be raffles and 100 Clubs on the day to raise some much needed funds to place breast care nurses in hospitals in right across rural and regional Australia, and to educate young women to become breast aware.

A great cause, and a great way to say thanks to all the ladies in the Club who have supported our Season 2010 of Hockey.

Matches start at 10:30 with second grade through to the mighty Fourths at 3:00pm. Members are encouraged to bring your mum, wife(s), girlfriends, sisters and so on!

From the moment young Jordan was hitting tomahawk backsticks as a 7 year-old, it was evident that there was something special about this Blue Boy.

"I couldn't believe what I was seeing, here I was trying to figure out how to even think about hitting a backstick the new style, and the little fella was not just scoring goals, he was roofing them" Mossy recounts.

"It was pretty obvious that he had something special going on right from the start".

Spurned on by the perfect mix of hockey genes from the former glamour couple of Newcastle Hockey in Dave and Jane, combined with the drive of having an excelling older brother in Josh, Jordan had both the nature and the nurture to promote success.

The holes in the walls at the family home are evidence of a competitive fury and a constant state of perfecting new skills. All of this combines to foster success and in 2009 Jordan took the first big step in following in his grandfather Paul's footsteps in wearing the green and gold of the Australian Men's team.

While making the Kookaburras is still a long way off, this month Jordan gets a taste of his Olympic dream as he wears the green and gold at the first ever Youth Olympics in Singapore. Its an event that's as big as the Olympics, run in the exact same format.

It shows how persistence and passion can translate to living the dream. It's also part of delivering on the destiny that has been brewing at the Club over the past decade or so.

We all wish Jordy the best in Singapore and look forward to him hitting his straps in September in the Premier League.