Nationals Win
Year 8 student, Zoe, showcased her significant sporting skills over the break as a member of the National Championship-winning NSW U13 Indoor Hockey Team. She scored numerous goals and was named a Player of the Match.
The final round proved exhilarating for the team. “It was a great feeling. It came down to the final game, which we had to win by four goals. So, the fact that we managed to win by five goals was super exciting and a great feeling of relief,” Zoe said.
Of her Player of the Match title, she is humble. “To be honest, I think I got a little bit lucky. I did manage to score a couple of goals, however, there were a few other girls who also played really well and contributed to the win,” she said. “Given that I don’t normally play striker in field hockey though, it was exciting and definitely a relief to be able to score a few goals for the team.”
Preparations for the competition included a week in Sydney, with training each night and a two-day training camp in Wollongong.
Zoe attributes the team’s success to its cohesive attitude and play, “… we played as a team. Our passing was great, and we weren’t playing as individuals,” she said.
Looking ahead, Zoe has set her sights on making the NSW field team and representing NSW in the upcoming nationals in Perth.
“I definitely want to keep hockey fun and enjoyable. It is a lot easier to train and play hard when it is enjoyable. At the end of the day, whoever puts in the most work generally comes out on top no matter the amount of natural talent. If you enjoy the work, it certainly makes all the work a lot easier.”