THE Glenelg Region Hockey Association’s grand finals were played last weekend, and one family took the honours home in three of the six grand finals decided.

The Northcott family – Keith (Dad), Karla (mum), and daughters, Portia, Lexie and Roxy, took part in those three games across Friday and Saturday, and all took home the spoils, but it was in the Division 1 Women’s Grand Final when they united as a family on the pitch.

Keith stood on the sideline and coached the team, while the four women in his family played the game on the field taking heed of his advice and direction.

This was the first time for three years that the GRHA has been able to stage its big day due to the intrusion of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the players in all teams enjoyed the opportunity to showcase their talents on the biggest stage.

Following Dad’s advice when breaks came for the end of each quarter, the Northcott women looked to attack at every opportunity, as Lexie Northcott and Colby Brewis put the ball in the back of the net during normal time.

Unfortunately for the Coleraine team so too did Elle Moyle and Joanna Macleod for the Dunkeld Red side to see the game finish at 2-2 at the end of normal time.

This meant that each team had to nominate five players for the shootout against the oppositions goal keepers and with each team having gone through its five attempts, the score was still tied which saw a shootout occur.

Coleraine captain, Portia Northcott, stepped up and scored for her team with the first attempt, but it then fell to Karla to absorb the pressure and try and save the shot from Red’s player.

To the delight of those in attendance, the players and Karla herself, the shot was saved, and the celebrations began as the Coleraine players swamped their goal keeper.

“We came here to win three games this weekend and they were all nail biters, but we came away with all three,” Keith Northcott said.

“It’s very exciting for the whole family to be able to play in the one team; Keith was the coach, I was the goalie and the three kids all played,” Karla said.

“If I hadn’t saved that final goal, the kids wouldn’t have talked to me.”

This is the first time that the entire family has been able to be involved with the one team, although the kids have played together before.

“The girls have played together before, but we haven’t been involved together,” Keith said.

“Karla was a late call up to be the Division 1 goalie as we couldn’t find one, so she stepped in reluctantly and we have just gone from there.”

“It was very reluctantly,” Karla added.

“I sent a message out to all the players before the weekend that there were to be no shootouts.

“But just in case, I did Youtube it to see how shootouts were conducted and I’m glad I did,” Karla said.

“She actually saved two shots in the shootout which was magnificent,” Keith said.

“I’ve been playing for 30 years, since I was 12 and the girls have been playing since they could start at the age of five in Division 5.”

“I only play when they’re short, but this season I have been there from the start and I will be happy to pass the job along to someone younger for next season, but then again you never know,” Karla said.