From ‘fear of the unknown’ to her happy place

KATIE Wollstein has worked as a nurse through the COVID pandemic. Now she’s ready for a return to the sport she loves.

LOOKING AHEAD: Katie Wollstein is looking forward to putting the stress of lockdown behind as hockey restarts in Toowoomba tonight. Picture: Kevin Farmer

HOCKEY: Rangeville’s Katie Wollstein knows first hand the impacts of COVID, which makes her as keen as anyone for the return of hockey in Toowoomba tonight.

Serving the community as a nurse at the Toowoomba Hospital, Wollstein said it was a challenging time as the pandemic reached fever pitch earlier this year.

“It has been a bit of a busy period, but it did get quiet as we cleared out the hospital to prepare for COVID,” Wollstein said.

“I was definitely nervous with trying to prepare with personal protective equipment and to isolate rooms, but it was also hard on myself because I didn’t have the hockey girls to talk to.

“We didn’t know what to expect. It was a bit of a fear of the unknown.”

It makes her that much more appreciative that she is able to once again to return to pitch, for the aptly-named COVID Cup.

“It feels like ages ago (since we last played). It’s good not just to get out and play, but to play with the team and see all the girls again,” she said.

“It was definitely something that I missed. It sucked not seeing them and being able to socialise and have fun.

“We’re there to play hockey, but we’d often stay around to have dinner and drinks after.”

Wollstein has been a key fixture of the all-conquering Rangeville side in recent years, constantly barraging opposing goalkeepers at will.

While they will have to wait until next year to add to their three-straight A1 women’s titles, she said they can lay the platform in the nine-week competition.

“I’m happy with the team,” she said.

“We have a few players that unfortunately aren’t allowed to play due to being in the QAS hockey group.

“We will miss them on the field but it’s an awesome opportunity for them.

“There are a few young girls that are keen to come up and play. We range from 15 and 16-years-old through to 40.

“I think it’s just the different personalities we have. We’re like a little family.”

Rangeville kicks off its COVID Cup campaign against Newtown tonight, while Red Lion and Past High will face off.

Those two sides are familiar to each other, meeting in last year’s preliminary final.

Past High held a 4-1 lead with 29 minutes to play, before Red Lion stormed home with three late goals, which was enough to see them into the decider.

In the men’s fixtures, defending champions Red Lion will kick off their campaign against Past High.

Newtown and Rangeville will clash in the night’s other encounter, a rematch of last year’s thrilling grand final qualifier.

On that occasion, Rangeville held a 2-0 lead, before an equaliser three minutes from full-time by Aaron Kenealley saw Newtown progress on a higher seeding.

FIXTURES

A1 MEN

Newtown vs Rangeville at 6.20pm, Red Lion vs Past High at 8pm

A1 WOMEN

Red Lion vs Past High at 6.20pm, Newtown vs Rangeville at 8pm
All games played tonight at Clyde Park

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