This is a family that sticks together for state success
MAROON r e p r e s e n t a t i o n runs deep in the Ferns family.
The Townsville family of hockey players has continued their rich record of producing Queensland representatives as their love and dedication to the game shines through.
Joshua, 11, has just become the fourth member of the fam- ily to earn selection in a state side after impressing for Northern at a primary schools’ carnival in Ipswich last weekend. He will now don the maroon jersey at the national championships in Perth in August.
Dad Matt has played for Queensland at junior level and still represents the state in the master’s division, his proudest moment coming last year when he was captain at last year’s nationals in Perth.
Eldest son Gerard, 17, has already played for the state at the Australian under- 18 championships in Melbourne in April and is set to tour New Zealand in September with the Queensland secondary schools’ team after a strong tournament as the Northern region’s vice- captain. Meanwhile Alyssa, 13, played for Queensland in both the primary schools’ representative team and under- 13 team last year and is set to vie for selection in the under- 15 side in September.
In an added piece of history, she went on to become the youngest player to represent the city in an open champion- ships after playing for the Townsville senior team at April’s Queensland Senior Championships.
The love for hockey doesn’t stop there. Mum Rowena used to play for Townsville and North Queensland and youngest son Ben, who doesn’t turn eight until November, represented Townsville’s under- 11 team in Cairns earlier this year.