NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holders have significantly contributed to the men’s and women’s NSW Pride teams winning the national championships.

NSWIS scholarship holder Ky Willott delivered a world class tomahawk goal to guide NSW Pride to a 2-0 win against the Perth Thundersticks while a Jocelyn Bartram penalty shootout masterclass guided the women’s team to their maiden title in a captivating final against defending champions Brisbane Blaze in Bendigo.

In the men’s match, the first half belonged to Perth, while the second half was a cagey affair, with NSW Pride forced to defend deeply at times, but with NSWIS scholarship holders Matt Dawson and Dylan Martin leading by example the Thundersticks could find no way back into the clash.

“It’s unreal…it was well documented that we couldn’t win after losing three in a row so it was great to come out and get the win,” said victorious NSW Pride captain and NSWIS scholarship holder Jack Hayes.

“We spoke about only needing one or two chances. Perth came out really strongly and thankfully we managed to get it done.”

“A lot of us have played together since we were 12, so to win the trophy in 2019 and win another one now is unreal.”

“It is always tough losing three in a row but we had the belief…we got the job done early enough in the season to be here on the weekend and we knew we were good enough. We arrived in a Bendigo a few days early and just got to work.”

In the women’s match, NSWIS scholarship holder Grace Stewart scored in the 33rd minute and the leading scorer’s diving deflection moments into the second half set up an exhilarating finish in a free-flowing affair.

After scores were locked 2-2 at the end of regular time, Jocelyn the Hockeyroos goalkeeper demonstrated her brilliance with two clutch saves to enable teammate and NSWIS scholarship holder Greta Hayes to seal a 3-1 shootout victory.

Article and image courtesy of Sultana Bran Hockey One League

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