Five young stars of Mackay join Qld Hockey teams

Five young hockey stars will venture to Brisbane at the beginning of 2023 to compete at at the Indoor National Championships with two making their second team of the year.

16-year-old sensation Sam Riggs has been selected for this third state team this year as he packs his bags for Brisbane to compete in the under 18 indoor nationals in January

Hockey Queensland has announced its sides for the upcoming national indoor championships in Brisbane with five Mackay standouts finding a spot in the teams.

Out of the 24 players named in the teams Mackay will make up roughly 20% of the team, including a pair of athletes who are no strangers to the national stage.

Patrick Sheedy, Jack Kearines, Kaleb Mayfield, Haiden Mellifont and Sam Riggs have been all selected as part of the Queensland outfit which features two sides, Sheedy the only in Team 1 whilst the other four will compete together in team 2.

16-year-old Sam Riggs is one of only five athletes in the state to be selected in the side as a bottom age athlete, meaning he is still eligible next year if they choose to take him.

16-year-old Sam Riggs with Mum Catherine and Dad Terry after claiming a medal at this year’s School Sport Australia Hockey Championships in Hobart, Tasmania

Riggs is no stranger to competing for Queensland having featured in the under 15 men’s side last year before competing in both the under 16’s schools’ side and the under 18’s outdoor teams this year.

“We’re looking like a pretty solid team,” Riggs said.

Team One head coach Dean Kirkwood said the mantra come January is “Me, we”, encouraging the boys to rally together with the potential to face off against the other Queensland outfit featuring another of Mackay’s selections, Patrick Sheedy.

For Riggs, a battle with Sheedy would be something he’d welcome if it were to fall into place.

“I'd be pretty keen to see that happen,” Riggs said.

“I think I’d give him a pretty good shot”.

Mackays Patrick Sheedy (Left) will compete in his sixth national championships' as part of the Queensland state Hockey team during the under 18's indoor championships next year.

For 17-year-old Sheedy, this will be the fifth time he has played state hockey, believing his side has what it takes to go all the way.

“Getting to do it again, it’s always good to get selected into a team,” Sheedy said.

Like Riggs, Sheedy is coming in ambitious for his Queensland side although he admits the teams have been evenly distributed with talent.

“The teams that they’ve picked are pretty strong, it would be a pretty tough battle if we go up against each other,” Sheedy said.

Competition is set to begin on the 12th of January, as Sheedy, Kearines, Mayfield , Mellifont and Riggs prepare to take on the nations best.