MITCHELL Shire resident Marcus Sande captained his team to victory in the U13 Phillip Ginsberg National Ice Hockey Championship in Perth last month.
Held at Perth’s Cockburn Ice Arena, Marcus not only led his side to victory but also finished as the championship’s top points scorer with 18 points.
The championship was held over a week, with each state competing against each other in a round-robin format. Based on Victoria’s placing, the state progressed to the semi-final, followed by the gold medal match.
Marcus described the joy Victoria felt when beating Western Australia 6-3 in the final, which he not only had the privilege of captaining the side, but he also scored a hat-trick.
“We were so excited that we threw our helmets, gloves and equipment and jumped up and down together,” he said.
“The crowd cheering for WA was so big and loud, as it was WA’s home ice. Our whole team worked so hard for this moment and knowing that it didn’t go to waste was a relief.”
Marcus said it was a proud achievement to have captained the Victorian side and one that he’ll look back on with fond memories.
“At times it was a challenge, but it worked out in the end. We had a great team and great coaches,” he said.
“It was the second gold at nationals in a row for our state coach, James Galdes, and I was in his team last year, too. He can bring the team together and demand the best of us on and off the ice.”
Marcus began playing ice hockey at just five years old, and now, at 13, he dedicates most of his time to his passion for the sport.
He spends six days a week training,waking up at 4am at least three days a week for morning sessions, and makes the trek into Melbourne to train at Olympic Ice Skating Centre, Oakleigh, Ice HQ in Reservoir and O’Brien Icehouse in Docklands.
It’s demanding on both him and his family, particularly Marcus’ mother and father, who support him every step of the way in his journey, but Marcus said his love for the sport outweighs it all.
“I love ice hockey and being on the ice is exciting; therefore, every moment that I spend training and playing is a reward,” he said.
“The training was hard both before and during the tournament, but what kept me motivated and most of our team was the thought of winning and bringing the trophy home.”
While Marcus is focused on the present and excelling in ice hockey, he is also thinking about his future career.
“Some of my long-term hockey goals are that I want to play overseas somewhere, and also representing my country would be pretty cool,” he said.
