Hockey U18s sharp for nationals

UNDER-18 WOMEN: Ruby Bayley (Derwent), Phillida Bridley (DiamondBacks), Angela Caberica (Derwent), Lauren Canning (Derwent), Chloe Cooper (NWG), Evelyn Dalton (OHA), Anika de Kramer (OHA), Lucy Eade (Derwent), Caitlin French (University), Lillian Gates (City Marians), Julia Gunn (OHA), Romani Kenworthy (City Marians), Georgina Mitchell (University), Jenifer Phillips (South Burnie), Raeleigh Phillips (NWG), Sophie Rockefeller (Derwent), Laura Spandler (OHA), Georgia Williams (DiamondBacks). UNDER-18 MEN: Harvey Bessell (NWG), Ashby Bingham (University), William Boyce (OHA), Joshua Brooks (University), Henry Chambers (OHA), Joshua Commins (University), Beau Cornelius (Tamar Churinga), Benjamin East (Canterbury), Zeke Hausmann (West Devonport), Braden Johnson (Burnie Baptist), Joseph Murphy (OHA), Samuel Porteus-Smith (Burnie Baptist), Luc Redman (West Devonport), Aiden van Staden (NWG), Ewan Vickery (Derwent), Tyler Wolfe (Burnie Baptist). TASMANIA’S under-18 boy’s and girl’s hockey teams will field strong teams in today’s National Championship openers in Launceston.

The boys, led by Aiden van Staden, will be hoping to qualify for the top four for the fourth year in succession.

A supporting cast of Jo Murphy, Henry Chambers, Ewan Vickery and Josh Brooks will give Tasmanian coach Ben Read the foundations of a medal winning side.

“We will be going for a top four place and providing we play our best hockey, I don’t see why we can’t beat these other big states,” van Staden said.

“We beat [Premier League senior sides] OHA, University, Diamondbacks and Canterbury in the preseason cup competition last week, including beating OHA 6-2 in our game.”

Tasmania’s girl’s side will be led by experienced coach Ilene Carr and joint-skipper Georgia Williams says there is a positive vibe around the group after last week’s performances.

“We won three, drew two and lost one of our Lightning Cup matches, which has us up against some really strong opposition,” Williams said.

“I think we’ll do well if we stick to our game plan.”

Over twenty teams will contest the championships.