Team Australia captured the 2009 Tasman Cup at the Oceania Games Inline Hockey Championship. Australia beat the cross Tasman rivals winning seven of nine divisions. This year featured the addition of the new Veterans competition aimed at players who were 40+ years of age.
In the 14 & under series Australia defeated New Zealand three games to two.
In the 16 & under series Australia defeated New Zealand four games to one.
In the 18 & under series Australia defeated New Zealand four games to one.
In the 20 & under series New Zealand took the series three games to two. Two of the games went into double overtime including game five.
In the Junior Women's series Australia defeated New Zealand three games to two.
In the Senior Women's series New Zealand defeated Australia in a five game sweep.
In the Senior Men's series Australia defeated New Zealand three games to two.
In the Masters series Australia defeated New Zealand three games to two.
In the Veterans series Australia swept New Zealand in a five game sweep.
This year the 2009 Oceania Games featured some of the best hockey seen in many years. Although Team Australia defeated New Zealand in seven of the nine series the games were close. Seven games were decided in overtime and two went into the final stages of double overtime.
Some highlights of the event were top point getters in the 14 & under division were Zak Miller collecting six goals and nine points. In the 16 & under division Jordan Kyros collected ten points to lead his team with five goals and five assists. Jonathon Bremner led the way in the 18 & under division with nine goals and 13 points. Jamie Bourke added twelve points and Liam Jefferies chipped in ten points. In the 20 & under division Cameron Walsh had four goals and eight points to lead his team. Zoe Boling and Diana Glass tied for the lead in points with six helping the Junior Women win the title. Sharna Godfrey was the top scorer in the Senior Women's team collecting seven points on seven goals. Captain Rick Cooper of the senior men was top point getter with eight points on one goal and seven assists. Matt Pease was top man for the Masters with five goals and two assists in the Masters division. Mark Schuettpelz was the tournament top scorer for the Veterans with seventeen points.
A special mention needs to be made as Todd Maclou of the Senior Men's team was playing in his 11th Oceania Games for Australia. Todd has played in every year since the Oceania Games began.
At the conclusion of the Championship Rick Cooper the Senior Men's Captain was presented the Tasman Cup on behalf of Team Australia. David Haynes the Team Australia Senior Men's Coach accepted the Asia Pacific Cup.
Future events for our players to prepare for at the Senior level are the FIRS World Inline Hockey Championships in Italy. Our Junior Men will compete in Italy as well competing at the same venue as the senior Women.
The 3rd Annual Inline Hockey Australia National Championships will take place in Perth, Western Australia in late September.