Photo: Supplied.
FROM REDLANDS HOCKEY
Sam Systa is a young Redlands resident who has just returned from Borneo after representing Australia in the Australian U21 Country Men’s Hockey Team.
Sam began playing hockey with Redlands Hockey when he was nine and represented Redlands at multiple junior state championships. Due to the lack of turf facilities in Redlands, Sam moved to Gold Coast and Brisbane Hockey to develop his skills further.
Sam represented Gold Coast Hockey at both junior and open state championships. In 2023, he played for Queensland at the Australian Country Championships in Shepparton, Victoria, where he was selected for the U21s Australian Men’s Country Team.
Sam stood out on the pitch in Borneo, with many commenting on his outstanding skill and uncanny ability to read the game. He scored four goals in total as a mid-fielder, and also showed his versatility by playing in the backs due to injury to other players.
The men’s team were undefeated in all eight games of their Borneo tour which started in Tawau (Southern Sabah), to Kota Kinabalu and ending in Kuching. It was a challenging tour played in incredible weather conditions, including extreme heat and humidity and, at times, torrential rain.
It was an amazing opportunity for Sam, who has dedicated a considerable amount of his life to hockey and was incredibly proud to represent his country. This rising star is bound for more green and gold representations in future.
This opportunity was entirely self-funded, and his fundraising page is still open if you would like to contribute via the QR code to help offset some of the cost of his recent tour.
