Hockey: The rise of 15-year-old goalscoring phenom ahead of U18 national champs

She’s a goalscoring phenom outclassing kids three years her senior. Discover what sets this Gold Coast talent apart and why her Olympic dream isn’t far-fetched.

Gold Coast talent Aurora Kovacevich in action on the hockey field. Picture: Supplied.

On the hockey field, Aurora Kovacevich scores goals for fun.

Take the 16 times she found the back of the net in just six games at the under-18 state championships – as a 15-year-old, as proof.

Or the 15 goals she scored earlier at the under-16 national championships in Hobart.

Unsurprisingly, she was the leading goalscorer by a hefty margin in both tournaments.

“I’ve always known her to be a natural born goal scorer, that’s a really good attribute of hers already, but to perform at that level for her age was really really good,” said Gold Coast under-18s coach Lloyd Madsen following her dominant state championship campaign.

“She’s really hungry to score goals and be in good positions which enable her to have that goalscoring mentality.”

Kovacevichalso noted her hunger as a strength, while attributing her success in part to the teammates around her.

“They’re all so positive and encouraging, I’ll score one and they’ll get around me and make me want to score more after that,” said Kovacevich, who made her first Queensland team at 10 years of age and has been playing seniors at Labrador since she was 12.

Gold Coast talent Aurora Kovacevich in action on the hockey field. Picture: Supplied.

While the abundant nature with which she scores may capture attention, it isn’t all that sets her apart.

“The thing that impressed me the most was not only her goals, but what she did off the ball,” Madsen said.

“It was her ability to win back the ball, to turn back possession, her ball-winning mentality was actually really good.”

Despite her youth, Kovacevich has been selected to represent the Queensland under-18s at the upcoming national championships on the Gold Coast next month.

Madsen believes it could be one of the formative events in a very prosperous career.

“She’s got huge potential and if she keeps her head on her shoulders and is well-managed, she definitely has the potential to go all the way and to play for Australia in her age groups,” Madsen said.

“Who knows what could be possible or what she could achieve ... I think that’s pretty exciting.”

Aurora Kovacevich is one of many bright hockey prospect on the Gold Coast. Picture: Supplied.

It’s high praise given Madsen has serious hockey pedigree himself, having represented South Africa internationally, including at the 2012 Olympics.

To reach similar heights is a desperate dream of Kovacevich.

“To play at the Olympics definitely and to play for the Hockeyroos,” she said of her career goals.

When the Brisbane 2032 Olympics come around, she’ll be 23 years of age and entering her prime

“It would mean so much to me to have that opportunity,” she added on the significance of representing the Hockeyroos in a home Olympics.

“Especially in front of my family and friends, it would be amazing.”