MOUNT Isa’s finest crop of young female hockey players are about to embark on a journey to the Queensland state under-13 girls championships.
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Despite the girls having only trained together since May, this weekend they are off to Redland Bay to compete against Queensland’s best.
Mount Isa under-13’s coach Hope Philip said this year’s team is a group of girls that have never been exposed to state level championships before.
‘‘It’s been around eight years since we’ve sent a representative team,” Philip said.
“We have players aged from 11 through to 13. With positive attitudes and a willingness to learn, all of the players will be successful in their own right.
“What they will learn and bring back to Mount Isa Hockey will be invaluable in their hockey development and knowledge.”
Philip said the raised level of competition will bring out the best in all her players, with skills development and a better understanding of the game being the main two aspects.
‘‘Alyssa Liddle, Jade Smith, and Sophie Milligan will be our most experienced players, with Alyssa and Jade already playing in the women’s A Grade competition in Mount Isa. I am looking forward to seeing these girls taking control and leading the younger ones.”
As Mount Isa has not participated in a recent state competition, the girls will be starting in the Division 3 pool up against strong competition from Cairns, Ipswich, and Gold Coast teams.
“We are expecting these teams to be very strong as these centre’s have a lot of girls to choose from. I have expressed to the girls that we may not win, but sometimes it not all about winning. What is important is working as team, supporting each other and trying your best.”
As the Mount Isa Hockey Association did not have a full squad of girls to select from, a thank you must be said to Brisbane Women’s Hockey for helping fill the team, so then the Mount Isa girls had the opportunity to attend.
“All of the Brisbane girls selected were chosen on the basis of their attributes on and off the field.
“The Mount Isa girls are a little nervous but very excited to be playing in these championships. All of the Brisbane girls selected are excited and proud to be wearing the green and gold for Mount Isa.”
The Mount Isa Hockey under-13 girls would like to send out a huge thank you to Hankinson Smash Repairs and Protector Alsafe for their sponsorship.
“Without their support the costs would not have been achievable. We would also like to thank everyone that has supported the girls in their fundraising and taking the time to assist in whatever way they could.’’
■Mount Isa under-13 girls representative squad: Jade Smith (Pirates), Alyssa Liddle (Hornets), Shoshone Lupton (Aces), Sophie Milligan (Pirates), Chanise MacFarlane (T-Birds), Shayne O’Shea-Breed (Aces), Zanté Sloane (Aces), Rebecca Mosser (Brisbane), Oonagh Keogh (Brisbane), Sophie Gerlach-Zuch (Brisbane), Alana Tweddell (Brisbane), Daisy Paige (Brisbane), Georgina Gaddes (Brisbane), Grace Galloway (Brisbane), Stefanie Wilmott (Brisbane), Keely Surman (Brisbane), Hope Philip (coach), and Fiona Liddle (manager).