Gippsland Bulls win gold at state hockey championships

The Gippsland Bulls finally broke its drought at the Junior State Hockey Championships when the under 15 girls team won the gold medal on Sunday.

The team has a very heavy West Gippsland influence, with nine of the 15 players also playing for the West Gippsland Hockey Association.

Gippsland Bulls had multiple teams at the four-day tournament held in both Bendigo (girls) and Shepperton (boys).  It was the first time the championships has been held outside of Melbourne.

However, it was the under 15 girls team who stood out, finishing top of pool A to meet the heavily fancied Flame in the grand final.

In front of a very noisy crowd, it was the Bulls who struck first with a goal to Zizi Pozzebon in the ninth minute for a 1-0 lead at half-time.

The Flames came out hot in the second half and equalled in the 27th minute.  Suddenly, the momentum turned and it was the Flames doing all the attacking as the Bulls defence held strong.

Just when it looked like a penalty shootout would be required to decide the winner, captain Bianca Zurrer burst her way through from the back line in an inspirational run which resulted in the game winning goal.

There were tears of joy from the girls and quite a few parents who had waited many years for this moment.

Across the tournament, the leading goal scorer was Bulls captain Bianca Zurrer with 11 goals.  Vice captain Zizi Pozzebon finished third with seven goals.  Two other Bulls players also made the top 10, with Sky McDonald and Marisah Mock each contributing four goals.

It was an historic day, marking Gippsland Bull’s first state junior championship win.