Dynasty Defined: WA Claim Fifth Straight U21 National Title

It’s the gold medal match of the 2026 Hockey Australia Under-21 Men’s National Championship. The sun beats down over EPC Solar Hockey Stadium, but all you can feel is the pressure. A penalty shootout. Everything on the line. You’re locked in with Tasmania — every touch, every second magnified. Your strikers step up. One. Two. Your keeper rises to the moment, shutting down their chances with ice-cold composure. The tension builds. One final play. Then — it’s in. The whistle cuts through the noise. For a split second, silence… then pure eruption. Relief. Roars. Chaos. Teammates rush in from every direction — arms around shoulders, sticks dropped, bodies colliding in celebration. You’re lifted off your feet, surrounded by nothing but joy. You’ve done it. Champions. A moment etched in history — and a legacy carried forward.

Less than a year after becoming the first team in 80 years to claim four consecutive national titles, the WA Under-21 Men entered uncharted territory: winning a fifth straight championship.

Under the guidance of new Head Coach Len Fernandes and Assistant Coach Tom Keating, the group delivered a dominant campaign in Canberra, defeating every opponent in their path before holding off a determined Tasmanian side in a gripping shootout to secure a fifth consecutive title.

As celebrations unfolded, Fernandes reflected with pride on the composure and belief shown by his side.

“Finals are always tight and intense, and this was no different,” he said.

“It was the first time in the tournament we found ourselves trailing, down 2-0.

“What stood out was the composure and character of the group – we stuck to our process, trusted our style, and worked our way back into the game to level it at 4-4.

“We had prepared thoroughly for scenarios like a shootout, so I was confident in our planning and execution.

“When Pat Andrew stepped up and scored the winning shot, it was an incredibly proud moment.

“It wasn’t just about the goal – it was the reward for the collective effort of the players and staff who had committed so much to the journey.”

Fernandes described his appointment as a “genuine privilege,” praising the culture and connection built within the group.

“I was excited by the opportunity to work with the best emerging hockey talent in Western Australia,” he said.

“What impressed me most was the culture driven by our senior players, led outstandingly by captain Mitchell Hyde.

“They created an environment built on genuine relationships, where new players felt welcomed and valued straight away.

“When your best players are willing to sacrifice for the team and put ego aside, that’s when you know you have something special.

“This was a highly driven and self-motivated group.

“Their willingness to learn, ask questions, and continually improve was a defining feature of our campaign.

“There was a genuine sense of teammates wanting to help each other get better, which drove our consistency across the tournament.”

For Mitchell Hyde, who stepped into the captaincy in just his second year, connection off the field was key to success.

“Len is huge on relationships with all the players and that had a huge positive impact on the playing group,” Hyde said.

“Across the preparation, it was great to get together after trainings in the form of a team dinner.

“Grabbing a meal together following training allowed us to form relationships off the pitch, which, in-turn, led to more productive and connected performances on the pitch.”

That unity was never more evident than in the final moments of the shootout.

“We got off to a strong start - Max Nelson converted and Travis King managed to force the miss of the Tasmanian striker,” he said.

“From there, it felt like we had the ascendency.

“As Pat Andrew stepped up, I was quietly confident - I have played with Pat since I was 10 years old, and he always manages to stand up in the big moments.

“When he scored, I couldn't wait to celebrate with him, and especially Travis who did an amazing job.

“It was just pure excitement - it didn't sink in until about 10 minutes after the game, when I had a moment to reflect.

“I was extremely honoured to captain the team this year, and so proud that this group was able to build on the legacy of the players that have come before us.”

Hyde said a huge strength of the group was the combination of experienced players mixed with the young talent coming through the ranks.

“Having a large number of returning players, and new assistant coach Tom Keating joining the group, it meant that lots of us knew what has been required to win in previous years,” he said.

“Len was very keen to draw on the past players' and Tom's experiences to help guide the group, whilst also taking the opportunity to have his own say.”

After winning three national championships as a player, Tom Keating jumped at the opportunity to join the Off-Field team as an Assistant Coach to bring his experience and insight to the playing group.

“I wanted to join the Off-Field team this year to help give back to the hockey community, especially the Under-21s where I played my best hockey and enjoyed my hockey the most,” he said.

“For some it may be their last time they wear the black and gold so to be able to create memories and friendships that last forever is an important thing.”

For Keating, highlights of being part of the journey with the Off-Field team included meaningful discussions between players and the group applying their skills during their match against Territory Stingers.

“On the first rest day, Len ran a ‘walkthrough’ on the small basketball court in the caravan park as the turf was closed due to Anzac Day.

“The next day we played [Territory Stingers] and the boys executed everything we asked of them in the walkthrough perfectly which built an enormous amount of confidence within the playing group. 

“We also continued having the players name a hero of theirs, a highlight in their life and a hardship they have experienced.

“There were some heavy and inspiring stories shared by each and every player and off-field staff member, which created a tighter bond in the group and helped us push through tough moments in the tournament on and off field.”

Keating said it felt “truly amazing” to be involved in the continued legacy of the WA Under 21 Men’s team as a three-time Championship player, and now a Championship assistant coach.

“To be able to achieve a three-peat as a player, becoming the second team in history to do so, then return two years later in a coaching role and extend the streak to five is truly humbling and a massive privilege,” he said.

“I’d like to thank Tim [Geers] and Dom [Hird] for teaching me so much in my playing years and a bigger thank you to Len for taking a chance on a 23-year-old to come in and assist him.

“I learned just as much if not more as a coach this tournament as I did as a player and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity I was given.”

Western Australian Under-21 Men’s team members

2026 member

Head Coach: Tim Geers – 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025; Len Fernandes - 2026

Assistant Coach: Dominic Hird – 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025; Lachlan Ashton – 2025; Thomas Keating - 2026

Team Manager: Jeanette Collins – 2022, 2023, 2024; Hans Geers – 2025; Sarsha Wetherell - 2026

Physiotherapist: Dempsey Campbell – 2022; Scott Harrison – 2023; Aleck Gianoli – 2024, 2025; Stuart Dyer – 2026

Angus Adamson – 2022, 2023, 2024

Hamish Adamson – 2022, 2023, 2024

Luke Anderson – 2022, 2023, 2024

Hunter Banyard – 2022, 2023, 2024

Max Baynam – 2022, 2023, 2024

Max Freedman – 2022, 2023, 2024

Thomas Keating – 2022, 2023, 2024

Matthew van Selm – 2023, 2024, 2025

Patrick Andrew – 2024, 2025, 2026

Ian Grobbelaar – 2024, 2025, 2026

Zed Kearnan – 2024, 2025, 2026

Jonah Pilatti – 2024, 2025, 2026

Samuel Ashton – 2022, 2023

Brodee Foster – 2022, 2023

Cambell Geddes – 2022, 2023

Oliver Higgins – 2022, 2023

Kye Stirrat – 2022, 2023

Jack Faulkner – 2023, 2024

Rinto Fukunaga – 2023, 2024

Fletcher Netherway – 2023, 2024

Jaxon Browne – 2024, 2025

Matthew Edwards – 2024, 2025

Toby Blee – 2025, 2026

Mitchell Hyde – 2025, 2026

Charlie Johnston – 2025, 2026

Jack Kruger – 2025, 2026

Charlie McIntyre – 2025, 2026

Padraig Munt – 2025, 2026

Jacob Woods – 2025, 2026

Ethan Yem – 2025, 2026

Ky Fisher – 2022

Jaxon Geddes – 2022

Marcus Jorgensen – 2022

Mitchell Pace – 2022

Jack Pearce – 2022

Kurtis Scaini – 2022

Zacharie Boglio – 2023

Rourke Palmer – 2023

Chaz Davies – 2024

Luke Blee – 2025

Jarod Crick - 2025

Jeremy Mayne – 2025

Travis King - 2026

Charlie McCarthy – 2026

Harley Muir – 2026

Max Nelson – 2026

Cody Peipi – 2026

Shaun Shackley – 2026