The Newcastle Northstars para ice hockey team, composed of disabled athletes, Paralympians, and injured military members, recently made history by participating in the first-ever para ice hockey competition between the Melbourne Walers, led by Bill Siegloff, who is the Para Ice Hockey Director at IHA, and The Newcastle Northstars Para Team.

This landmark event showcased not only the fierce competition on the ice but also the remarkable journey of these athletes and the profound impact of sport on their lives and community.

The Journey of the Newcastle Northstars Para Team

Team captain Adrian Rolfe, a decorated military player and veteran of the Invictus Games, expressed immense pride in his team’s achievements. “It was a very proud moment to see the team presented with their uniforms and watch all the training pay off,” Rolfe said. “The competition was fierce, and the intensity of each game built up as new players started to understand the game of hockey better.”

Bill Siegloff shared his thoughts as a player, saying, “It was great to be able to support the Northstars in their first games. The ability to play some hockey and help teach the newer players how they can get better and what they can achieve.”

For Rolfe, the tournament was more than just a series of games; it was a testament to the team’s dedication and resilience. A particularly memorable moment for him was when a special guest recently diagnosed with cancer conducted the ceremonial puck drop.

“In our first game, we had a special guest who was recently diagnosed with cancer brought onto the ice to conduct a ceremonial puck drop and presented with the match puck, showing support to her through Ice Hockey’s Puck Cancer program,” he shared.

The Role of Sports in Rehabilitation and Empowerment

Liesl Tesch, a former Paralympian in wheelchair basketball who was one of the most decorated and respected members of the Australian women’s wheelchair basketball team and is now a para ice hockey player, highlighted the thrill of putting their skills to the test in a competitive setting.

“Absolutely loved it! It was such a thrill to put the skills we are developing in training into practice,” she exclaimed. Tesch, who played as a winger, relished the opportunity to use tactical body checking in the game. “Smashing those big blokes from Victoria out of the way was very satisfying,” she added.

Tesch’s transition from basketball, sailing, and then to ice hockey illustrates the power of sport. The shift in dynamics, such as using the area behind the goal tactically, posed new challenges that she embraced with enthusiasm.

Community Impact and Inspiration

The Newcastle Northstars’ journey has had a ripple effect on the community. The support from local fans, including the able-bodied Newcastle Northstars team, created an electrifying atmosphere both on and off the ice.

“From players and locals coming to watch, it was fairly electric, very passionate, lots of laughs, and big smiles,” Rolfe noted. This camaraderie extends beyond the rink, with team members forming a close-knit family that supports each other off the ice as well.

Future Goals and Aspirations

The success of this inaugural tournament has set a strong foundation for the future of para ice hockey in Australia. As team captain, Rolfe emphasized the importance of building on their skills and inviting other states to participate. “The tournament has paved the way for other states and gives the Para Ice Hockey Executives reassurance in the standard of hockey, coaching, commitment, and passion. The impact is huge,” he remarked.

As a coach, Siegloff commented, “I hope it will help other athletes that did not attend to evaluate their priorities and take the sport more seriously. I also believe the level of skill has been developed in Newcastle because of this event.”

Looking ahead, the Newcastle Northstars aim to continue growing and developing their team. Tesch hopes that their journey will inspire other aspiring para-athletes. Rolfe also noted “Anything is possible, and the sport is very inclusive and safe. The end goal is putting on a Green and Gold Jersey and representing the country one day”.

Siegloff shared his plans as a coach, stating, “Hopefully we can advertise the success back at home and encourage others to be involved next time. Athletes also need to realize that even though this is a club event, the National Head coach will take input regarding the level athletes have achieved and possibly select them onto the national development squad. Five athletes have been selected to attend the National Development camp due to their performance in this event.”

My Personal Perspective

For me, being a former Paralympian in Shot Put and Discus, joining the Newcastle Northstars has reignited my passion for sport and competition. Playing in this tournament was an incredible experience.

After retiring from sports, I missed the thrill of competition, and ice hockey has reignited something within me that I didn’t even realize was missing but I guess “once an athlete, always an athlete”.

Our team is incredibly supportive, both on and off the ice. Despite NorthStar’s having only been together since October last year, we played with immense heart and determination. The scores—1-3, 3-10, 0-3—didn’t reflect our effort and spirit.

In the final game, which was a mix of both Northstars and Walers, we had a unique opportunity to learn from two top Australian ice hockey players, Bill Siegloff and Ziggy Markovic, who graciously helped rookies like myself.

Their expertise and experience were invaluable, and the game ended 0-1, with the final goal happening moments before the final whistle, intensifying the experience.

Siegloff shared a memorable moment from the tournament, saying, “The last game when the teams were split. The girls asking about skills, not worrying about tactics, just learning skills that will last forever instead of a tactic that will die after the game.”

This event will be cherished by all of us. Now, we can’t wait for a rematch.