Sisters Kim Reibel, Kim Chirio win gold at Masters Hockey World Cup
They’ve played hockey on the same team since they started as kids. Now Central Queensland sisters Kim Reibel and Toni Chirio have teamed up again, this time scoring their greatest achievement yet.
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Kim Reibel is celebrating the greatest achievement of her hockey playing career - and making it even more special was doing it with her sister by her side.
Kim and her younger sister Toni Chirio were members of the Australian over-40 women’s team that was victorious at the Masters World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Aussies were unbeaten at the 10-day tournament, clinching the title with a penalty stroke in the closing stages of a gripping grand final against Argentina.
The Rockhampton siblings are still on a high, with Kim summing up just what it meant.
“It was a dream. This has to be the best win ever,” she said.
“We were the only Australian team over there to win gold.
“I’ve been away for Trans-Tasman and won them but to win a World Cup is certainly the pinnacle.”
Kim said it was “unbelievable” to have done it with Toni as her teammate and with her family, including her husband and two children, in the crowd supporting them both.
The sisters were selected for Australia at the nationals played in Perth in September last year.
Kim said it was a long build-up to the World Cup, during which time she and Toni worked on their skills and fitness and forged a connection with their teammates and coach through regular Zoom meetings.
“We didn’t actually train until we got over there so we had three days training beforehand,” Kim said.
“We had to gel very quickly and sort out our game plan, but it all worked out very well.
“It was a really good team and we had a great coach. We all got along and I think that showed on the field.”
Both defenders, Kim and Toni’s connection at the back was also a boon for the Aussies.
They have played together since they both started at age five on the grass fields at Mt Isa.
Both their parents played so, as Kim said, it was just “natural that they joined up”.
They continued in the game as teenagers when the family relocated to Maryborough, a once hockey-made city.
Their move to Rockhampton saw them join forces with the powerhouse Wanderers Hockey Club.
Kim said her bond with Toni shone through on the turf.
“We’ve always played on the same team and we’ve always been in defence so we’ve basically played side by side all the way,” she said.
“We know each other so well that I just know what she’s going to do and she knows what I’m going to do and we’re always there to help each other out.”
Kim said the social aspect of hockey held plenty of appeal now but she still wanted to play the game and play it well and still be competitive.
“I’ve always enjoyed it and I’ve always had fun. If I wasn’t having fun, I wouldn’t have been playing for this long.”
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