NELSON Bay Hockey Club have unearthed three outstanding junior prospects from their burgeoning talent pool.

Promising colts Kellen Royes, Finn Jones and Charlie Williams created history for the Bays this season with selection in NSW representative squads.

It was the first time since the club’s inception in the early 1980s that three junior players had earned State caps – a tremendous achievement by the established sporting organisation based on the Tomaree peninsula.

Emerging midfielder Jones and striker Royes lined up for NSW at the recent Hockey Australia Under 13s National Championships in Newcastle, while rising utility Williams was part of the NSW side that finished fourth at the Under 15 National titles staged in Darwin earlier this year.

The talented trio are Nelson Bay Junior products and agree that the local club is a great place to learn the basics of hockey and compete among a friendly group of male and female players.

All three have other family members playing and coaching at the club.

Nelson Bay Hockey Club President Cathy Churchill told News Of The Area that the young guns “were fine ambassadors for the sport in the Port Stephens region”.

“I applaud the boys and their parents for the dedication they have shown in progressing to turf hockey and in representing NSW,” Cathy stated.

“Our Club has always encouraged players to compete at higher levels and we are proud that this year over a third of our players have turned out in turf-based competitions in both Newcastle and Maitland and named in rep teams across all age divisions,” she added.

Williams travelled to Wagga Wagga and earned a NSW cap after helping the Hunter Association team capture the State Championship final.

A versatile utility with loads of potential, Charlie took up local hockey at age nine with brother Oren, sister Pearl and father Mark but his strength and skill meant he usually competed in higher age groups.

He currently plays in Nelson Bay’s Junior A Grade and Mixed Senior teams but spends most of his time travelling to train and play in the Newcastle Mens competition for Maitland alongside his father and often backs up for the club’s second and third grade teams.

Royes and Jones represented Newcastle at the State Championships in Tamworth before forcing their way into NSW squads.

Kellen took up hockey at age four along with his brother and sister and quickly was recognised as the most enthusiastic player in the club.

A key player in Nelson Bay Junior A Grade teams for the past three years, he is now entrenched in the Wests Newcastle side that won the 2023 competition.

Finn began hockey at age five and has spent the past two seasons playing with Wests Newcastle alongside Kellen and a number of other State rep players.

He was one of the highest goal-scorers at the Tamworth State Championships and his selection for NSW was well deserved.

When asked why they were travelling to play in Newcastle and Maitland, the boys all answered “the turf” and agreed that the high-quality synthetic surface at those centres allows for a much faster and more skilful game and stronger competition.

The boys’ parents revealed that they make up to six trips per week and often to further locations and could not put a figure on the time, effort and cost involved but saw it as essential to progressing to the next level.

They agreed that Nelson Bay Hockey provided their families with a great introduction to the sport and a convenient and fun way to participate.

“Our club has started a campaign to raise interest in establishing a multi-purpose synthetic field in the Tomaree area and look forward to other sporting codes recognising the great advantages to be gained for our local players of all ages and abilities,” Cathy noted.

By Chris KARAS