Veteran boosts side
T O W N S V I L L E ’ S Q u e e n s l a n d Women’s Masters attack has been strengthened with the inclusion of a hockey World Cup veteran.
Mandy Cruickshank will use this weekend’s state titles as a warm up before she leaves for the World Cup in Barcelona next month and attempts to win Australia’s third consecutive gold.
“Since 2012 I got picked for Australia at the first inaugural World Cup in England,” Cruickshank said.
“( The state titles) is actually a great preparation. We have five games in two and a half days.
“It’s really good exposure to that higher level. The more hockey we can play, the better for us.”
It will be the fourth time Cruickshank has represented Australia at a World Cup.
The centre- half will be playing in Townsville’s first team, in division three.
“We fell out of division one a couple of years ago, which was OK because it’s a very level of competition,” she said.
“We didn’t have a great year last year so we ended up falling back to division three.
“But we’ve got a strong team this year so we’re hoping we can step it up this year and get back into division two next year.”
Wendy Foruria, a defender in Townsville’s second squad, said Townsville had increased its odds by entering four teams.
“It’s been 14 years since ( the state titles) had been here before and it’s the first time we’ve got four teams,” Foruria said.
“We like to think we’ve got a strong chance in ( division five).”
Townsville has two teams in division five, but in different pools, which could result in one knocking the other out if they meet in the crossovers.
“It’s something we hope won’t happen but if it does, you just have to go out there and concentrate on your game,” Foruria said. “The advantage is for both teams, they both know players on the other side.”
Melissa Bullen, Townsville’s second team coach, will step on to the field for the first time as a player at the Masters level.
She did not have any qualms about playing against her teammates.
“We’re hoping to see each other in the final,” Bullen said.
The Queensland Women’s Masters Titles will be played at Townsville Hockey Association’s fields.
There will be 45 teams competing across eight divisions.
Trials for players 55 and over will be held tomorrow, with the competition starting on Friday. Finals will be played on Sunday.