Local Sports Star Shiarna Tarasenko an ice hockey talent

BUMPS, bruises and the odd broken bone don’t faze 16-year-old Shiarna Tarasenko.

Shiarna Tarasenko blitzes the ice.

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BUMPS, bruises and the odd broken bone don’t faze 16-year-old Shiarna Tarasenko.

The tough ice hockey player from Blacktown might be young but her defensive skills have seen her selected for the Australian women’s under-18s national side, returning from Spain in January with a gold medal around her neck.

“It was great travelling with the team,” Shiarna, who mostly plays on the wing,’’ said.

“I learnt heaps while I was over there but it was also good to play with the other girls and see how they do things on the ice.”

The team faced off against European powerhouse Romania in the final. Australia took out Spain and Mexico before facing the juggernaut side, belting them by an impressive 10-0.

Shiarna Tarasenko’s skills have won national selection.

Bringing home the gold with the help of a goal by Shiarna has meant the team is now promoted to the next division in which they will face China, UK, Denmark, Poland and France.

“We went to Copenhagen for training camps during the trip,’’ Shiarna said. “It was great to get a whole lot of new lessons on the game.”

Shiarna dedicates four days a week to the sport, splitting her time on the ice between the Sydney Sirens, the Flyers club and the NSW Bombers, along with time as a state netball champion.

“There’s a lot in common between netball and ice hockey,” she said. “They both take a lot of balance and hand-eye co-ordination.”

Shiarna has been nominated for the Local Sports Star award’s individual category. Other categories are Junior Sports Star Team, Young Sporting Spirit Individual, Young Sporting Spirit Team and Service to Sport.