Young McCulloch’s star keeps on rising
CANTERBURY midfielder Sam McCulloch is a young man in a hurry.
After making waves in 2017 as captain of Tasmania’s Under 18 boys’ hockey team, McCulloch rode all the way to his Australian Hockey League debut for the Tassie Tigers in October.
Just five rounds into the men’s Premier League hockey season and his stocks continue to rise rapidly.
The eighteen-year-old has started 2018 with a bang, leading the scoring charts in the men’s Premier League with six goals from five matches, two clear of his nearest rivals.
“It’s a bit of a surprise and nice to be on top at the moment, but it’s a team effort and I’ve just been lucky enough to be the one that gets the final touch into the net,” McCulloch said. “I had a big pre-season with the Tasmanian Institute of Sport and I feel that I started the season feeling in better physical condition and that’s improved every aspect of my game.”
A change of club coach with Launceston’s David Budgeon taking the reins has also reaped rewards for the gapyear student. “Frog [Budgeon] has brought a large amount of confidence to the playing group. He has implemented new playing styles and is reinforcing the belief that we can do anything,” he said.
“We have the belief now and know that we are a team that deserves to finish in the top four, so we focus on improving each week and jumping University on the ladder.”
He will join good mate Hayden Beltz (DiamondBacks) with a week of exposure to the Queensland’s QAIS program, but Beltz must first overcome a nasty head injury.
“It’s set to happen in midJune for a week and it’s a really good opportunity to be exposed to some high-quality hockey and learn some new skills under former Tasmanian Matthew Wells.
“Hayden had to have sur- gery on his cheekbone and eye socket and is now recovering but he stills needs to see an eye specialist about possible retinal damage which could result in laser surgery on his eye.
“We are all hoping for a speedy recovery and hope that he’s back in time for our National U/21 Championships as he’s a senior and highly valued player in that group.”
The Tasmanian U/21 men’s team was announced yesterday, with the strong squad hoping to go one better than their silver medal at U/18 level three years ago.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman