SA hockey crisis could force state’s outstanding players to look for new teams away home

SA’s newest Hockeyroo Miki Spano wants to remain a South Australian as she chases her Olympic hockey dream. But this is at risk as SA Hockey chases $100,000 to fund state teams

Juliet Haslam, SA's greatest hockey player, with current Hockeyroo, from left, Miki Spano, Zoe Nunn and state league player Lachie Busiko. Picture SARAH REED

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SA’s latest Hockeyroo, striker Miki Spano, wants to push for Olympics 2020 selection as a South Australian.

But for this dream to Tokyo to remain alive SA Hockey will have to find $100,000 by Tuesday’s cut-off date for claiming state team licences to the new Australian national championships in October-November.

“It is vital for me to play for SA,” Spano told The Advertiser. “And for every other South Australian hockey player aspiring to be in the Australian teams.”

SA’s newest Hockeyroo Miki Spano, right, with SA state men’s team hopeful Lachie Busiko. Spano’s dream to follow Haslam’s path to the Olympics remains reliant on the SA State hockey teams finding $100,000 funding by next week to be part of the national championships later this year. Picture: Sarah Reed

Spano, 21, at the weekend made her international hockey start in the Hockeyroos’ clashes with Argentina and New Zealand in Sydney. To stay before the national selectors’ eyes, Spano will need SA to be part of the Australian championships — or be forced to find a rival state team to “adopt” her.

“For us to be thrown around to other state teams would make (progressing to the national squad) difficult,” Spano said.

“Playing for SA, you know your team-mates, you know the team structures and you have confidence in yourself and your team-mates. For me to play my best hockey, it will be with the team — and team-mates — I have known for many years.

“And I am proud to be a South Australian. I want to play for SA. This also is about State pride.”

Miki Spano at the weekend made her international hockey start in the Hockeyroos’ clashes with Argentina and New Zealand in Sydney. Picture: AAP/Emma Brasier

Spano has represented SA in the Suns team 23 times since 2014 and this weekend will make her first State league appearance for her new local club, Adelaide.

“It is just vital we stay together as the SA state team,” Spano said. “We have made real progress in recent years as the Suns.

“And it is important that young kids see their heroes in an SA team (at the nationals). It gives them a dream to strive for as well.”

Spano described her debut for Australia at the weekend as a “dream come true”. But she was surprised on returning to Adelaide this week that she might not have an SA state team to join later in the year.

“I could not have asked for a better debut game — at home in Australia too,” Spano said. “It is a privilege and honour to play for Australia — and SA too. It is so important we continue as an SA team.”

Hockey SA must raise $100,000 by Tuesday to buy a licence — costing $140,000 — for its men’s and women’s teams to participate in the revamped Australian Hockey League competition in October and November.

Hockey SA also needs to cover $60,000 for the teams’ training program.

Hockey SA has started a GoFundMe page to raise the money. The association is also appealing for sponsors and donations to support the teams and to contact Hockey SA on 8349 4044.

SA Hockey chairman James Blackburn was encouraged by public reaction from Thursday’s report on the teams’ funding crisis in The Advertiser.

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