Former Kookaburras, Benjamin Craig and Kiel Brown are no strangers to tough competition. Both having come up in the national program and played many an exciting game on the international stage, it may be surprising to hear that the local Hockey ACT competition is also a highlight on their hockey journeys.
“It has been a fantastic transition from the national program to the Canberra club competition. The competitiveness, passion, and skill of the players in the competition really drive you to perform well each week,” Brown says.
“Equally, the community feel of Hockey in the ACT creates a really positive environment, that is very easy to engage with.”
Craig agrees. “The Canberra competition is fantastic,” he says. “Australian hockey has been served well by some very good players that have come out of Canberra, and it was easy to see why when I arrived here. There’s a very even group of teams at the top and some great depth across the competition. I’ve really enjoyed the past few years playing here.”
This weekend, both Brown and Craig will be starring in the men’s Capital League 1 hockey grand final when their respective home teams, United and Central, vie for the 2022 premiership. Both teams have played excellently all season long, with scores between both teams creeping closer and closer each game.
“Being a part of the growth of the Central first grade team has been fantastic. We have established both a strong way of play and culture within the group,” Craig says. “Seeing our experienced players and juniors pull together to make this happen is very rewarding.”
Even though both Craig and Brown have played nerve-wracking games at the highest level for their country; the thrill of playing a grand final, no matter the level of competition, never dulls.
“Having a chance to play in the grand final is something you look forward to as early as preseason,” Brown says. “Getting the chance to do it this weekend is pretty special. United vs Central always play competitive and entertaining matches, and I expect nothing different this week.”
The Men’s Capital League 1 grand final between United and Central hits off this Saturday 17 September at 5.30pm on the Carter field at the National Hockey Centre in Lyneham, with free entry to all. The game will also be livestreamed across Hockey ACT’s Facebook and YouTube accounts, and on the LIVE Hockey platform.
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