School Sport SA: Young hockey star wins spot on state team

Thiru Udayakumaar has just turned 12, but he is a veteran of the hockey pitch.

The Year 7 student was just three years old when he started playing the game he loves. Now, he has been selected in the School Sport SA 12&U hockey team to play in the School Sport Australia Championships in mid-August.

And he will travel to Bendigo, Victoria, alongside a very familiar face – Blackfriars teacher Nick Cheary has been named coach of the boys’ side, his first time leading the state team.

Blackfriars teacher Nick Cheary and Year 7 student Thiru Udayakumaar have been selected for the School Sport SA 12&U hockey team to play in the School Sport Australia Championships.

Thiru’s passion for hockey is a family affair, with his dad playing in India until injury ended his career. His own international loyalties are split.

“If I support India, then my dad will be happy,” Thiru said with a laugh. “If I support Australia, then Australia will be happy, and my dad will be mad. So, I can’t win!”

The attacking midfielder – who trains five days a week, six including game day – said the best thing about hockey was playing with his friends and scoring goals.

“I score lots of goals! It’s great. Everyone gets around you,” he said.

“I love playing with my friends, going outdoors, spending time staying active.”

And while not enjoying the popularity of sports such as Aussie rules and soccer, Thiru said more people should give hockey a go.

“I just love hockey (and) I think more kids should join” he said.

“This is a fun sport. Everyone who joins, stays. But people just don’t start because they’re more into popular sports, like soccer and cricket. So, I think more people should join.”

Mr Cheary was similarly enthusiastic about the sport.

“It’s a really skilled, quick sport,” he said. “So, there’s always something happening. You’re always in the game. It’s really physical, which I like, and it’s a real team game.”

His own hockey journey started at school, when he was 11.

Nick Cheary with the Blackfriars Primary hockey team in 2003.

“And then I progressed to club hockey, state hockey and then into coaching,” he said.

“I actually coached our early hockey teams here at Blackfriars as well. When I was playing club hockey, we had two staff members here that were involved with our club, so, they got me coaching the Blackfriars team … before that competition disbanded.”

He said Thiru would be an asset to the state team: “I coached Thiru in club hockey, so, I’ve seen him for a few years now at that level (and) I would rather have him on my team than not.”