The team, made up of boys from several Highlands clubs, played in the Under-13 Boys State Hockey Championships in Armidale from July 14 to 16. 

The boys got off to a cracking start and won all of their games on day one of the championships. 

The young Highlanders won their first game against Parkes 3-0. 

The followed their first win up with another dominant performance against Metro South West and won again 3-0. 

The Highlanders started round two with a 2-0 win over Illawarra South Coast. 

The second round two match was the Highlanders highest scoring game. 

The Southern Highlands juniors scored a huge seven points over Parkes, who were unable to hit the back of the net. 

Coach Ash Goulder said it was exciting for the junior players. 

“They were all over the moon and it was a really exciting game for them,” he said. 

The wins secured the Southern Highlands boys a position in the finals. 

The boys were well positioned to succeed, having not conceded a goal all competition. 

The first game of the finals was played against North West Sydney. 

The game, tense for both players and spectators, was won by the Highlands, with a 1-0 scoreline. 

Southern Highlands and Dubbo came up against each other in the final match, with both teams keeping their eye on the state trophy. 

Goulder said the final was a highlight of the championships. 

“Both Dubbo and us went in undefeated so it was a pretty exciting match,” he said. 

“The boys did very well and they all git a long really well which meant they were able to run around and be quite competitive and back each other up.”

The Highlanders unfortunately lost 1-0 but showed strong skills and represented the Highlands with great sportsmanship. 

Goulder said he was very proud of the boys results despite the finals loss. 

“It was a tremendous effort and the boys really enjoyed playing together,” he said. 

Southern Highlands’ Oscar Goulder impressed selectors with the skill he demonstrated at the championships and was chosen for the 2017 Under 13 Boys Field State Squad.