PROUD PARENTS
Toowoomba junior keeps his goals alive
When Matthew Finn first picked up a hockey stick at the age of nine his parents, Craig and Colette, knew he was destined for great things.
“He wanted to try something different and he really grew into it,” Colette said.
“When he reached state level he got a real taste for it and wanted to see what he could achieve. He has always had that aspiration.”
Earlier this month Finn helped the Queensland Blades win silver at the Australian Hockey League titles in Perth after a thrilling final against the Victorian Vipers.
Watching the competition in anticipation was Colette.
“It was a pretty full on tournament, there were major selectors there like Australian coaches who pick the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos,” she said.
“Up and coming potential players can also be seen, that’s where they pick all their squads from.”
Finn is currently in the U21 Australian squad and just touched down in Malaysia to compete in the Sultan of Johor Cup which starts on Sunday.
Colette said the international tournament has come at the perfect time following the AHL competition.
She hoped playing alongside Australian players like Mark Knowles would give Finn an edge in the Sultan of Johor Cup.
“They’re always picking up new skills they can take along to the next tournament,” she said.
“There is nothing better than putting it into action.”
Finn is part of the junior national development squad.
“The next level for him will be to reach the senior squad where they pick and train for the Kookaburras,” Colette said.
Watching Finn grow each year as the standard of hockey gets higher has made his parents extremely proud.