Inline hockey players ready for the Aussies
Inline hockey players Sammy Heyward, Amber Metcalfe and Arden Phillips from Levin’s Thunder club will be channelling their aggression on the rink next month when they take on the Australians in next month’s Oceania championships.
Heyward, 14, and Metcalfe, 12, will be part of the 14 and under girls’ team while Phillips, 32, competes in the Masters division.
The first time in a national tournament for Heyward and Metcalfe, the pair is “nervousexcited”.
“We’ve heard that they [Australian girls’ team] are quite beefy players but we’ve not seen them in action so have no idea what to expect,” said Heyward.
They have had just two training sessions with the NZ team ahead of the championships but said they know most of the players from facing them across the rink in interclub matches.
Heyward said she likes being aggressive on the rink.
“It’s like ‘I’m going to hurt you’, I’m going for it, I’m out to play hard,” she said.
Metcalfe said there are few players that intimidate them.
“We’re going out there to win.”
Phillips has notched up his fair share of national championships since starting playing from the age of 11, including a 10 year break.
“I’ve only been back for three seasons but it’s something I’ve always had a passion for, I’ve always loved skating.
“I certainly loved the aggression growing up but I’ve mellowed out a lot, even if it doesn’t look like it on the rink. You’re completely focused on what you’re doing, it’s magic.”
Phillips said players can reach speeds of up to 50km.
“I used to skate down Liverpool St as a kid and overtake cars.”
Phillips has competed in the Oceania’s about five times, and since mid-2000 has played Australia about 20 times “and never lost a game”.
“We’ve done a lot of research and we know what to expect. They’re going to bring everything and so are we.
“We’re prepping as hard as we can for this one. There’s no nerves, just anticipation.”
The Oceania Inline Hockey Championships, hosted by Inline Hockey New Zealand, April 18-21, Hamilton.