Cairns Hockey state hopefuls ready to give it some stick
The opportunity to learn from more experienced players is one that Cairns Hockey’s Dannan Findlay and Talytha MacDonald don’t want to waste.
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The opportunity to learn from more experienced players is one that Cairns Hockey’s Dannan Findlay and Talytha MacDonald don’t want to waste.
The 15-year-olds were selected for Hockey Queensland’s state selection trials in Brisbane, where two Queensland under-18 girls’ teams will be named to compete at the U18 national championships, to be held in Launceston from April 8-16.
It is the first time they have been selected to trial for the U18 side, having previously represented Queensland in the U15s.
Findlay said she would be soaking up as much knowledge and advice as possible.
”Playing against more experienced players who have also had more time at the under-18s level, I’m hoping they can give me a bit of a lesson,” she said.
MacDonald said while she did not expect to make the team in her first year as part of the squad, she would be giving it her all.
“To be selected would mean the world – that’d be pretty cool,” she said.
The Atherton junior travels down to Cairns three times a week – sometimes more – for training during the Cairns Hockey season.
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“I’m going to have fun, not give up and learn new things – the higher expectations, more skills and even the mental part.”
Fellow Far North juniors Ruby McMenamin, Liv McArthur, Sarah Cochran and Shaylee Atkinson will also attend the trials. Renee Barber was also selected in the under-18 girls’ state squad but has since withdrawn from the trials.
Atkinson said she was hoping to make the team after being named as a shadow player last year.
“It would mean a lot because this is my last year of playing rep in the juniors before going to the next step in the under-21s,” she said.
“We’ve been training since November and haven’t really stopped since last season, so I’m feeling pretty good.
“I just need to make sure I’m doing the basics properly with my passing and trapping and leading from experience.”
Cairns Hockey goalkeeping gun Jesse Folpp on maroon path
Even after four national championships, the significance of donning the maroon of Queensland has not been lost on Cairns Hockey rising star Jesse Folpp.
The 16-year-old goalkeeper was selected for Hockey Queensland’s state selection trials in Brisbane, where two Queensland under-18 boys’ teams will be named to compete at the U18 national championships, to be held in Launceston from April 8-16.
“I’ve gone to four national championships and have made a couple as reserves, hopefully I will be going for a fifth time,” Folpp said.
“It means the world being able to represent the state with the boys and all our good mates down south. To be able to work together in that team and to beat the rest of Australia, it’s a great feeling.”
This will be Folpp’s first year as part of the under-18 boys’ squad, after previously making state squads in the under-13s and under-15s.
He said it would be a big step up from his past representative duties but he was up for the challenge.
“Being in the younger age group for the 18s, it’s going to be tough ask, beating those older boys,” he said.
“I’ll just keep the head down and hopefully I can pull off some good saves.”
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The Trinity Stingers goalkeeper said preparations hadn’t been as smooth as in previous campaigns but the group had been training together since November.
“It’s been tough because we’ve had no competition really since the start of September and coming out of the indoor season it’s been tough adapting to the different style of play,” he said.
“But getting that fitness and a few sessions on the ball has been really good.”
Fellow Cairns hopefuls Brayden Naess, Aden Conlan and Cade Coghlan will also attend the trials. Ashton Schenk was also selected in the under-18 boys’ state squad but has since withdrawn from the trials.
“We’ve been together a while, always in those Cairns rep teams and a couple of state teams together,” he said.
“It’s always good playing with them, as well as seeing our mates down south.
“They’re a different group of boys, so it’s good to get the opportunity to play with them and adapt to the different styles of play down south.”
Naess made the under-18 team last year but did not get to travel to the Australian national championships after they were postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
He said he was hoping to back up his efforts this year.
“It’s just another good opportunity for me to continue representing my state,” he said.
“It’s pretty good to get that opportunity and play with your friends along the way.
“Sometimes you are split up and you have to meet new people and work with them as well. It can be challenging working with different personalities and new people but it can be rewarding if you work well together.”
Naess said consistency would be the key to earning a Queensland jersey.
“When striking, I just need to make the most of my opportunities and get the ball in the net,” he said.
“I’ve been doing a bit of stick-on-ball work to make sure my skills are sharp.”
Originally published as Cairns Hockey state hopefuls ready to give it some stick
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