Norths Hockey Club, Newcastle

18/09/2026

2ND GRADE GRAND FINAL - Wishing all the best to our 2nd grade Blue Baggers as they hit off the day of Grand Finals in Blue tomorrow. Make sure you get your Blue on and get out and cheer on the Blue Baggers!

17/09/2026

FLASHBACK FRIDAY - As we look forward to tomorrow's Grand Finals in Blue, today we glance back to the eppic 2022 Premier League GF via NBN News and BarTV Sports | Live Sports Streaming .

17/09/2026

We know a few Blue Baggers who are just a little bit excited it's nearly time for some Hockey Grand Finals in Blue. Only one more sleep before we look forward to seeing you all out to cheer on the Blue Baggers!

17/09/2026

Check out the Newcastle Mens Hockey 2nd grade Grand Final preview. Make sure you get your Blue on and get out to cheer on the Blue Baggers on Saturday as the Norths South rivalry continues.

2nd Grade Grand Final Preview

Since the 1990s, the Newcastle Hockey 2nd Grade Grand Final has so often featured two familiar rivals: Norths Hockey Club and the South Newcastle Lions. This Saturday, that proud rivalry continues as they once again battle for premiership glory.

Norths Hockey Club

Norths have dominated the competition throughout the season, finishing as Minor Premiers with an impressive record of 12 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses. Packed with quality across the field, it is difficult to pinpoint which of their talented players will stand tall on Grand Final day.

In goal, the ever-calm Eamon Smith provides a reassuring presence and will be ready to repel anything the Lions can throw at him. Leading the defence is Norths stalwart Ben Howey, fresh from World Cup success in Belgium. Rumour has it that recovering from the celebrations was tougher than the hockey itself. Alongside him is club newcomer Brett Maff, while the energetic Hamilton Dobson brings speed and determination, only occasionally challenged by the boundary fence that keeps him in play.

Through the midfield, Tom Budden and another World Cup champions Chris Coombes will look to control the tempo of the game, with support from Mitchell Brown and Theo Grushka also fresh from world cup success, who will be tasked with countering the Lions' midfield pressure.

Up front, Norths boast plenty of firepower through Kane Nutley, Rohan Henderson, and former Lion Ben McIvor, who will relish the opportunity to take on his old club. Norths will also look to Madden Willott and Angus Eicher to help contain the Souths attack and contribute at crucial moments.

South Newcastle Lions

The defending premiers enter the Grand Final with a formidable lineup of their own.

In goal, Sam Quince, the former Parkes and Taree based player who moved permanently to Newcastle this season and has enjoyed an outstanding season highlighted by an Under-18 National Championship title in Darwin. He will need to be at his best to keep the Norths forwards at bay.

Fresh from Masters World Cup success, central defender Tristan Hunt will be eager to add another trophy to his collection. His primary role will be to nullify the dangerous Nutley and Henderson combination, and the experienced defender will take some stopping. Alongside Hunt, Scott McKenzie and Brendan Purser will rely on their hockey intelligence and experience to slow the potent Norths attack.

In midfield, Newcastle Hockey's very own Benjamin Button, and World Cup Gold Medalist Simon Vimpani, continues to defy time and will undoubtedly have a significant workload. He will be supported by Tom Duck, Bennett Baker, and Hamish Anson-Smith, who will look to win the midfield battle.

Souths also feature a number of familiar surnames whose fathers helped build the club's proud recent history. Riley Fernance, Jackson Mayers, Lachlan Bosworth, and Evan Simes are now creating their own legacies in Lions colours. Across every area of the field, these young players have made their mark this season, with Simes anchoring the defence, Fernance controlling the attacking midfield channels, and Bosworth and Mayers forming a dangerous striker partnership capable of capitalising on any opportunity that comes their way.

The Final Word

These two clubs share one of the most storied rivalries in Newcastle Hockey. With proud histories, talented rosters, and plenty at stake, neither side will take a backward step.

Will the defending premiers, South Newcastle Lions, go back-to-back? Or will Minor Premiers Norths complete their outstanding season with a premiership triumph?

One thing is certain: this promises to be a fantastic Grand Final and a fitting conclusion to the 2nd Grade season.

Looking forward to this match. 🏑🏆

17/09/2026

Lots of Blue Baggers off representing at the NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association Hockey Top 8 Knockout Finals the last 2 days. Claire Calvert, Harlow O'brien. Sammie Woolnough, Frankie Grushka, Dior Cameron (Hunter Sports High Girls), Dusty Collins, Marshall Rypstra, madden Willott, Ben McIvor (Hunter Sports High Boys). Sylvie Crichton (Kotara High Girls - not pictured). Both Hunter Sports High Teams finished 5th, while Sylvie and her Kotara High teammates finshed 2nd.

17/09/2026

Grand Final prep done. Blue Baggers ready to go. Bring on some Grand Finals In Blue!

17/09/2026

As the last week of Season has arrived in our 80th Year of Hockey in Blue, we give a big shoutout and thank you to these great Businesses for their ongoing support and Sponsorship of Norths. Thanks for being part of our Blue Family. Thanks for supporting us to get out and enjoy our Hockey and for playing a big part in the ongoing success of our Club. All your support is very much appreciated! Please get out and use and support these Companies when you can.
H5 Healthcare
NHS
Macpherson Willott Construction
Maxim Business Advisors
A & B Plastic Welding
Energy Services
Rowal Constructions
Please get out and support these great Businesses when you can!

17/09/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY - To whet the appetite for this Saturday's Hunter Coast Premier League Grand Final, today we glance back at last year's GF clash via BarTV Sports | Live Sports Streaming . Here's the goalscoring in Blue from Premier League's 4-1 GF win over rivals Gosford in 2025. Orlando Travis 1, Josh Bruton 2 and Ozzie Cameron 1 with the goals. The rivalry continues..........with the 2026 clash likely to be another eppic battle. Look forward to seeing you all there!

16/09/2026

Check out the Newcastle Mens Hockey preview of the Saturday's upcoming 4th grade Grand Final. Get your Blue on and get out and cheer on our Blue Baggers as they battle for Grand Final glory.

4th Grade Grand Final Preview: Norths vs West

One of the most anticipated matches on Grand Final day will be the 4th Grade decider between two of Newcastle hockey's most established and respected clubs, Norths Hockey Club and West Hockey Club.

The Minor Premiers from Norths (Blue Baggers) will take on The Rosellas from West in what shapes as a fascinating contest.

Surprisingly, despite both sides enjoying outstanding seasons, they have met only once during the regular season. That encounter came all the way back in Round 1, where West recorded an impressive 6-3 victory over Norths. Since then, both teams have evolved considerably, setting the stage for a completely different contest on the biggest day of the season.

Norths have quietly gone about their business throughout the year, steadily refining their game plan week by week. Their blend of experience and youth has proven to be a winning formula. Veteran defenders Taylor Jordan and Mark Cameron provide leadership and stability in the backline, while Daniel Oldham, Paul Kirkwood, and Jason Coombes drive the team through the midfield and attacking zones.

Leading the charge up front is competition top scorer Dylan Greenaway, a player with an uncanny ability to find the back of the net. Supporting the experienced core are several exciting young players making their mark in senior hockey. Goalkeeper Dusty Collins has been outstanding, commanding a defence full of seasoned campaigners with composure beyond his years. Meanwhile, Noah Jordan continues to impress with his silky skills and ability to control the tempo of play from midfield.

It's easy to see why Norths secured the Minor Premiership and booked their place in the Grand Final with a convincing 4-1 victory over Colts in the Major Semi Final.

Not to be outdone, West have enjoyed an equally impressive campaign. Finishing third on the ladder and just one point outside top spot, the Rosellas have shown resilience and determination throughout the finals series. They came from behind to defeat the in-form Maitland Rams in extra time during the Minor Semi Final before producing a commanding 4-1 win over Colts in last week's Preliminary Final.

West boast quality and depth across the entire field. Wayne Rinkin, Sam Turner, Eden McGlashan, and Jarrod Smith provide a strong and experienced defensive foundation, while Joel Markwell has found top form this season, gliding through midfield with confidence and creativity.

The Rosellas also have a talented group of young stars capable of influencing the outcome, including Fletcher Rinkin, Lachlan Wenke, Henry Boys, and Marty Carroll. Their energy and skill complement the experience around them, creating a well-balanced and dangerous lineup.

With experience, youth, skill, and determination on both sides, this Grand Final has all the ingredients for a classic. Expect a fiercely contested battle that could go right down to the final whistle.

Get ready for a fantastic spectacle as Norths and West battle for 4th Grade Premiership glory.

16/09/2026

THE PREMIERS CUP is what's up for grabs in the Hunter Coast Premier Hockey League Grand Final on Saturday. Norths are the current holders of the trophy winning the last four times (2022-25). Everyone lost out to covid in 2021 when the Competition was abandoned. Norths currently have 12 titles, Gosford and South have 5 titles each and The Entrance have 1 title. The competition began back in 2002. Norths and Gosford have contested the last 10 Grand Finals and their rivalry continues on Saturday. Get your Blue on and get out and support the Blue Baggers as they battle for Grand Final Glory.