4 Mar, 2013
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The Oceania Junior World Cup is the most prestigious juniors event within the Oceania region, with the champion nation claiming a position in the Junior World Cup.  Although the Oceania Hockey Federation is the smallest continental organisation, both Australia and New Zealand, two hockey nation juggernauts, hail from within it.

The 2013 Oceania Junior World Cup saw two epic finals in the men's and women's between Australia and New Zealand. The Australian Women came away with a 3-2  win and although the Kiwi juniors came agonisingly close to equalising in the last few minutes from well-earned penalty corners and clever field play the Australians claimed their third win over the New Zealand side during the tournament.



The women's competition saw only Australia and New Zealand competing, with both junior Fiji nations having withdrawn from the tournament, due to their junior presence in the national sides competing in the World League. However, both Australia and New Zealand were looking to earn positions in the Junior Hockey World Cup. Heading into the finals, Australia already had two decisive victories (3-1 and 4-1) over the junior New Zealand side, and were confident that they could replicate that success. An early goal from the New Zealand side and a much more aggressive attitude set the tone for a much more exciting game.

Despite this early success, following the halftime break the Australian side appeared to have a new conviction and were quick to retake the lead and assert themselves as the dominant junior women's nation in the Oceania region.



Although the men's competition included representative from both Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, the final was still heavily contested by both Australia and New Zealand. In similar fashion, the junior Australians had triumphed over the Blacksticks 4-2 in the rounds games, and in similar fashion claimed an early lead in the final despite substantial goal scoring opportunities for the Australian side. The Australian men mirrored their women's second half conviction and ended the half with over 20 circle penetrations  and a Junior World Cup title.