Dynamic Mackay duo sent to strengthen Australian team

Critical offensive and defence roles for the Australian hockey team fall into the hands of two Mackay girls.

Mackay hockey players Claire Colwill and Jordan Bliss were selected into the Australian Under-16 team to compete in South Africa next year. Photo: Aidan Cureton.

AN AUSTRALIAN hockey team will rely on two Mackay girls as a final line of defence and a gun scorer next year.

Goalkeeper Jordan Bliss will pad up with the Australian Under-16 schoolgirls team alongside striker Claire Colwill for a 2020 South Africa tour.

This is Colwill’s second call-up to the national team after she went to northern Europe in May this year, but the first time for Bliss.

“I’m very nervous, this team is a really big deal,” Bliss said.

“I’m looking forward to playing some good hockey and making some new friends.”

The duo rose from Mackay selections to Capricornia. They then made it into Queensland’s Under-16 team last month before being named in the Australian squad.

While a goal keeper would prefer the opposition to not get a shot on them, Bliss said she was excited to flex her refined skill in the shooting circle.

“I’m definitely excited to test myself,” she said.

The 16 year old was amazed at how far her sport could take her.

“It still amazes me, even though I’m still so young and have a lot ahead of me, I would never have done as much travelling if I didn’t play hockey,” Bliss said.

For Colwill, the second international tour in just under a year meant she would go from rookie to one of the most experienced players in the team.

“It’s crazy to be honest, to make the Australian team bottom age and now again top age,” she said.

“There are two other girls who made Australia before, so we’re going to bring a lot of leadership into the team and hopefully kick out the nerves for those who are still in their first year.”

In May, Colwill and the Australian side finished third of four teams.

“South Africa will be a completely new contest,” Colwill said.

“They have bigger built ladies over there so we’re just going to need to play rough,”

“It will be interesting to see how the opposition play, learn off that and change how we play to match that.”

From her research, Colwill was sure South Africa’s defence would be a true test of her ability.

“We’re more set and structured. I think in South Africa they have less structure but are stronger on the ball,” she said.

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