Scutt’s dreams take off with flight to Europe
ANNABELLE Scutt dreams of becoming a Hockeyroo and will go to Europe to gain her first taste of international hockey with the School Sport Australia under-17 girls side.
The St Mary’s College grade 10 student flies out this weekend and will play against the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium in a four-nation tournament from May 21-25.
“At the moment I am concentrating on hopefully progressing into the TIS and then my aspirations are to make it to the Hockeyroos one day,” Scutt said.
“It’s a massive privilege to wear the green and gold for the first time. I feel honoured, proud and excited to be going away, especially with my close friend Lucy Wootton.
“I expect to learn what it takes to play at the highest levels for my age and gain more skill.”
Scutt started playing hockey as a seven-year-old at Richmond Primary School and made her debut for NorthWest Graduates Premier League women’s side at only 14.
ETS coach Ilene Carr says Scutt produced some strong performances for Tasmania’s under-18 team recently and will make an impact in Europe.
“Annie shows good composure with the ball and has developed some really good 3D skills which troubled teams at 18s and will hopefully trouble teams away,” Carr said.
“She is an impact player, her ability to break through lines and then find the pass creates opportunities for both her and her teammates.”
Scutt (North-West Graduates) will be joined by fellow Tasmanians Wootton (West Devonport) and Linden McCarthy (City Marians and Derwent), while Nicole Geeves (DiamondBacks) is the Australian under-17 girls coach.
Burnie-product McCarthy will be making his second appearance for Australia, having been the leading goal scorer in last year’s boys under-17 tour of South Africa.
“I’m expecting that the experience for Annie, Lucy and Linden will only add to their game as European style hockey can be quite different,” Carr said.
“The exposure to this competition will continue their individual development but will also be good for the ETS program as a whole.”
As part of the Schools Sport Australia touring teams, they will also experience several educational excursions including visiting the Western Front, the Somme, Ypres and the Anne Frank Museum.