All Stars League to bring out best of region’s hockey stars

Far North hockey players will get the chance to stick it to their clubmates and play alongside their rivals when Cairns Hockey’s All Stars League pre-season competition starts on Friday night.

Far North hockey players will get the chance to stick it to their clubmates and play alongside their rivals when Cairns Hockey’s All Stars League pre-season competition starts on Friday night.

The tournament puts a unique spin on hockey in the region by casting aside traditional club allegiances and forming new sides featuring a mix of the best local talent.

Trinity Stingers dual-position player Katie Pittendreigh, who bounces between striker and goalkeeper on the field, said the format allowed players like herself to get a fresh perspective on the sport.

“It’s just good to get a chance to play with people you don’t usually get to play with from other clubs and other divisions,” she said.

The Cairns Hockey All Stars League pre-season competition starts on Friday night. Shaylee Atkinson, Jarrah Flinders, Katie Pittendreigh and Jess Fatnowna are ready to compete. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I’m looking forward to get a chance to play up with some of the A-graders from my own club at the moment.

“Some of the other girls I don’t quite know as well, but it will be a good chance to get to know some of those players from the others clubs more.”

Pittendreigh will play for the Simonis Fencing Storm and will be coached by Brothers’ Glen Seivers.

“It’s a good opportunity to experience a different coaching method as well and get to meet some of the coaches from other clubs,” Pittendreigh said.

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Trinity Stingers’ A-grade men’s captain Apara Brewster, who will play for the Cotton Club Cyclones in the All Stars League, said it was a good way to evaluate fitness levels and “get back into the swing of things” before the season starts.

He said the format, where younger players could play alongside more experienced players from other clubs and divisions, helped with player development.

“It’s great for the younger guys to get exposure in this league and tempo,” he said.

“It just keeps building up their repertoire, gives them new skills and brings them to that next level, which they might not get that in their own age division.”

The Cairns Hockey All Stars League pre-season competition starts on Friday night. Nathan Winkel, James Williams-Carey, Apara Brewster and Pierce Stein are ready to compete. Picture: Brendan Radke

The All Stars League will adopt Hockey One’s field goal conversions rule, with goalscorers to get an automatic one-on-one shootout with the goalkeeper for the chance of an extra goal.

The teams will be known as the Lane Orthodontics Lightning, Cotton Club Cyclones, Simonis Fencing Storms and Aspire Flames, with players from the Atherton Tableland Hockey Association to also participate.

The All Stars League will run for three weeks, with games played on Friday nights.

ALL STARS LEAGUE — WEEK 1

JUNIORS (U15, mixed)

5.45pm: The Cotton Club Cyclones v Aspire Flames (Reef Turf), Lane Orthodontics Lightning v Simonis Fencing Storm (Rainforest Turf)

WOMEN’S

7pm: Lane Orthodontic Lightning v The Cotton Club Cyclones (Reef Turf)

8.15pm: Aspire Flames v Simonis Fencing Storm (Rainforest Turf)

MEN’S

7pm: Aspire Flames v Simonis Fencing Storm (Rainforest Turf)

8.15pm: The Cotton Club Cyclones V Lane Orthodontic Lightning (Reef Turf)

Originally published as All Stars League to bring out best of region’s hockey stars