ABC 0-0 Takapuna
Division1 Women with Life Member Karen Porteous aka Brownie
After going undefeated all season, the Division 1 Women's team battled it out in the Grand Final against old rivals Takapuna. The girls were on the back foot in the first half, but fought well and came out stronger in the second half.
Unfortunately neither team could score. Ending the match at nil all. This took the game to to shootouts where life member Brownie scored a cheeky over the keeper goal, but it wasn’t enough as Takapuna scared and won the shootout 3:1.
This season the Division 1 squad had their first non-playing dedicated coaches, Madi Wright and Hannah Patterson, which meant Karen and Karen were able to focus on their own game, and it’s showed. Karen Croft demonstrating remarkable improvement across the season, playing some of her best hockey ever in the finals! Brownie showed her strength and holding the critical defensive structure very well.
Newcomers Freya and Este are Year 9s who have just started their club careers. Following older siblings Taine and Carla, both are showing so much potential already! Freya has incredible skill and strength that has only improved through the season. Este has developed amazing timing and reading of the game, making fantastic intercepts and defensive moves. This team also has a mother and daughter combination, Angela and Holly Chivers. (Click to see more about the Chivers' family: part of a series of articles on ABC families).
As well as bonding on the field and showing great resilience in being undefeated this season, the team has had fun off the field and enjoys each other's company. We are hoping to go one step better next year and emulate the Premier 3 Women to take the Grand Final in 2021.