Brisbane Blaze hockey rep Aleisha Neumann earns selection for 2020 Olympic Games - as umpire

When Aleisha Neumann was a little girl growing up in Toowoomba playing hockey, she dreamt of becoming a Hockeyroo. While she is not a Hockeyroo, she will still be going to the 2020 Olympics Games - as an umpire

When Aleisha Neumann was a little girl growing up in Toowoomba playing hockey, she dreamt of becoming a Hockeyroo.

At the time she was Inspired by watching on television the success of Darling Downs locals Angela Lambert (nee Skirving) and Nikki Hudson and the Australian team at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

It was then she dared to think of becoming an Olympian. “Every young player has that dream,’’ she said.

Aleisha Neumann will play for the Brisbane Blaze on Sunday at home.

“I grew up in Toowoomba and I remember the 2000 Olympics when we won a gold medal. We had two Toowoomba players in that team and all I wanted to do when I grew up was to be like them.’’

Now 31, the Norths Hockey Club stalwart will be going to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games with an Australian team — but as an umpire.

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An Eight Mile Plains resident, Neumann has been chosen as Australia’s sole female umpire representative. “It is very exciting,’’ she said.

Before being appointed, she said recently she spoke to a group of developing umpires about her desire to officiate at the Olympics.

“We sat and had a Q and A and I spoke about having a dream I might go to the Olympics and it has turned into a reality.

Aleisha Neumann of Eight Mile Plains is an inspiring figure at Norths Hockey Club.

“To be involved in an Olympics is the pinnacle of any sport for any athlete or official.

“It (umpiring) is a bit of a different journey and not one a lot of people walk down.

“It is different from being a player, but we are a team in a family environment.

“We support each other through highs and lows.’’

Aleisha Neumann of the Blaze competes for the ball with Kate Denning of the Fire.(AAP Image/Kelly Barnes)

Neumann started umpiring the year she moved out of the under 21 playing age group when volunteers were needed to officiate. But she still kept playing.

“It (umpiring) is something I did to help out locally,’’ she said. “I did not chase it but I believed in what I was doing. I can’t have a regret on that decision.’’

Aleisha Neumann makes a decision.

Umpiring is one sting to Aleisha Neumann’s bow but she is also a fine player who helped Norths to a historic Div 1 semi-final berth this year.

As a teenager she was a regular in state teams and she has continued to be one of the finest competitors in the high class women’s club competition.

Her form this year led to her selection in the Brisbane Blaze representative side currently competing at the inaugural Hockey One league this month. Neumann has umpired at six national hockey leagues but this is her first time as a player.

“It is exciting to be playing again at the national level. To be considered and in contention to play nationally is exciting,’’ she said.

The Blaze men (Friday, Tassie Tigers) and women (Sunday, Perth Thundersticks) play at home this weekend at the State Hockey Centre.