MOUNT Isa’s Bevan Green played out a goal of his while representing Queensland’s in an over-40s hockey tournament earlier this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Despite not playing much hockey this year for his Mount Isa Pirates club, Green still made the journey over to Perth to play in the Australian Masters Hockey Championships.
“It all started when I was sent an email from my brother telling me about state trials and seeing if I would be interested in playing,” Green said.
“I said yes and was promptly slotted into one of the four Brisbane teams nominating to play at the trials.
“The trials were played in Mackay but unfortunately due to a major shutdown at work, I could not attend.
“I was disappointed not to go.
“Anyway, for whatever reason, I was sent an email from the Queensland selectors asking if I would like to go away with the over 40s 2 Queensland team.
“I jumped at the chance as I knew I couldn’t pass this opportunity up.”
Despite strong AFL family traditions, Green and his brother bucked the trend and started hockey at a young age.
“I started playing hockey at the age of six for the under sevens for Commercial Hockey Club in Brisbane,” he said.
“Some of the kids on my street got involved through someone in their church group.
“My parents thought it would be a great sport, as it was something different from their background.
“They grew up in Victoria so, like many others, they all followed the VFL and now AFL.
“But I think they thought that this would be something different for my brother and I.
“In the end, they let us make the decision.
“Since then, I played for the Commercial Hockey Club from under sevens to under 15s.”
“I then moved across to Easts Hockey Club, where I played from under 15s through to senior divisions, culminating in A-grade level in my early 20s.”
Green, who represented Queensland at a schoolboy level, as well as being a shadow player for Queensland club teams, always dreamed of playing for Queensland again.
“We played a total of eight games throughout the competition and ended up coming third in our division,” he said.
“Overall we were pleased at our result, as the majority of us have never played with each other before.
“On a personal note, I didn’t think I played as well as I could have, as I had missed a lot of hockey during the season through work commitments and didn’t feel as if I had enough solid preparation for the tournament.
“Most of the teammates thought my impact on the field was strong and purposeful, so that made me feel better.
“Unfortunately, I tore my right calf muscle midway through the second week, and missed our last two games.”
Green always remembers the advice former Australian forward Mark Hagar gave him.
“Mark told me every time you take the field be it school, club or representative hockey, always play to the best of your ability,” he said.
“Always strive to be better when training and when you play, play fair but hard and have fun and enjoy yourself.
“It is because of this that I continue to strive to be the best player I can be.
“I hope there is more Queensland representative teams on the horizon, with me one day hoping to play at the Australian level.”