Ryde Hunters Hill hockey club gun Lachlan Sharp mining for success for Australia and NSW Pride
What NSW Pride hockey player Lachlan Sharp does in the next fortnight could be the most unusual thing a potential Tokyo Olympian does during a break from international duties this year.
Northern District Times
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For the next two weeks bar a couple of breaks to play in Hockey One — Ryde Hunters Hill hockey club gun and coal miner Lachlan Sharp will be hitting the books — but staying above ground — as he completes a mining apprenticeship.
Until late in 2017 the now 22-year-old worked long shifts as an apprentice fitter in Lithgow’s Centennial coal mine.
But when the midfielder cracked the Australian squad he swapped his miners helmet for a hockey stick full-time.
Now a member of the Kookaburras program based in Perth, Sharp has opted to use his time in Sydney with the NSW Pride team to complete his education.
“Straight out of school I went into the coal mine in Lithgow,’’ said Sharp who travelled from Lithgow to the Ryde Hunters Hill District club to play every weekend for years.
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“I’m an apprentice fitter, which is like a mechanic, and I fix and service the machinery.
“A lot of people thinks its scary but you adapt. It is dark though.
“Then I got into the Kookaburras and moved to Perth to be with the squad. It was a bit of a change.’’
Sharp, who is part of the NSW Pride men’s team currently undefeated in the new Hockey One competition, decided to use a break from international duties to set himself up with a career post his hockey playing days.
“It’s important to have something outside of hockey,’’ said Sharp, who has played the game since he was four and comes from a hockey family.
On the comeback from two hamstring injuries and hip flex issues, Sharpe is hoping to continue his good form with Pride which on the weekend beat the Tassie Tigers 4-2 in their third round match in round two.
Sydney Olympic Park proved a proved a happy hunting ground for NSW Pride on the weekend with the women’s team recording their first victory of the season.
After a 1-2 loss to Canberra a week ago, the women’s side beat their Tasmanian rivals 5-0.