WA win national title as Underwater Hockey nationals wrap up in Bunbury

Western Australia sunk their rivals to become national sporting champions after Bunbury hosted the Underwater Hockey National Championships last weekend.

The South West Sports Centre welcomed athletes from across the country to the titles.

WA won one gold and three silver medals, playing in four of five grand finals, in the tournament that featured under 15s to masters.

Bunbury Underwater Hockey president and nationals co-ordinator Shane Blackham said it was an honour to host a national tournament in the South West.

“We had a fantastic weekend putting on the national championships, really great competition and sportsmanship, and great to be back in Bunbury after not hosting them since 2016,” he said.

“We had a pretty tight turnaround with the last nationals only happening on the Gold Coast in June due to COVID but it was a great success that was capped off with our presentation night at the Dolphin Discovery Centre, so we’re really pleased with how it all went.”

WA’s Elite Men’s side claimed gold over Queensland with the Barbarians taking the final spot on the podium while the Elite Women finished runners-up to New South Wales, with Tasmania taking bronze.

WA also won silver medals in the masters and under 19s divisions, going down to NSW and Queensland respectively.

The under 19s final was a heated match-up, with just one point the difference, WA producing a disallowed goal in the final minute of the game, ending in a 3-2 loss.

The under 15s was the only final without a WA side competing, Queensland taking home gold, followed by Tasmania and Victoria.

Mr Blackham said many athletes commented on the facilities and attractions in Bunbury — the SWSC being one of only two purpose-built underwater hockey venues in the country — saying he hoped it provided some exposure for the region.

“I had the vast majority of people saying to me ‘wow, we didn’t know Bunbury had all of this’ and are now looking to come back to holiday in the South West,” he said.

“It’s been a really great promotional opportunity for us and it was also really great to see mayor Jaysen Miguel coming down and learning the game, really getting involved.”