Rachel Clark, Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times
The Nhill Leopards and their families came together on Sunday 16 November 2025 at the Davis Park clubrooms to continue to celebrate their recent incredible hockey premiership.
The kids had a chance to socialise outside of normal hockey which was great to see, having a hit out on the fantastic Davis Park grass. There was also a chance to have a little look at the newly finished grandstand which has quite an impressive view from the top seats.
A main part of the celebration was the presentation of commemorative premiership shirts as a special memento of this historic season. Nhill Hockey Manager Helen Cannell, also Leopards Co-Coach, was assisted by Co-Coach Pete Bone in presenting the shirts. Helen thanked everyone for the great season.
Thanks to Helen for brainstorming and organising the shirts. Thanks to the NDSC for their contribution and several members for donations towards the shirts to allow for this fantastic keepsake. This was a great surprise for all the kids! Thanks to Donna Krelle with her local business for supplying the shirts and doing the artwork on them which looks fantastic. The shirts feature the Nhill club colours navy and yellow, club logo, of course ‘Nhill Leopards 2025 WHA U16 Premiers’, and all of the names of the players and team officials. The shirts will be sure to last the kids a long time.
All players and officials were presented with a shirt, although a couple of families were unable to attend the day. As part of the celebrations an extra WHA premiership medal was presented to young Jody who was unable to attend the grand final due to injury, and she was presented with a shirt also. Leopards were all asked to wear their premiership medals for the celebration, and the newly engraved ‘Nhill Leopards 2025’ plaque on the WHA U16 premiership shield was on display. The WHA U16 premiers keepsake plaque was also on display, which features the names of all the players who played on the grand final day, and the team officials.
Nhill Leopards team is made up of a small group of dedicated hockey families and for those able to attend this day it was a good, relaxed atmosphere to catch up.
The plan was to have some photos and video up on the big TV screen for the team to reminisce about their victory, however there were some technical difficulties due to the building works in the secretary’s office. Instead, some gathered around to watch some video and photos on a laptop, while the afternoon tea was on, and some kids had another hit outside.
The last time Nhill hockey had claimed a premiership was 2016, when the U16 Leopards had won the premiership under the leadership of Mont Miller, which makes this victory even more memorable. The Leopards last year 2024 made the grand final and were runners up, but this year on Saturday 13 September 2025 were able to take it that one step further. Leopards defeated top rivals Yanac Warriors on shoot-outs, in a super tight finish. Congratulations to Helen Cannell and Pete Bone for their leadership and commitment to the team to help them take their place in history! And well done Team Leopards on a fantastic season, well worth still celebrating!
This article appeared in Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 26 November 2025.
