Named: Top Gold Coast junior hockey players
They’re the Gold Coast’s best young hockey stars who are about to be guided by a former Olympian. Meet the future stars of Gold Coast hockey.
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The future of Gold Coast’s brightest hockey stars is in safe hands with a former Olympian appointed as the new regional coaching director at Gold Coast Hockey.
Lloyd Madsen is a former professional hockey player who has over 90 caps with team South Africa, including at the 2012 London Olympics, and has set himself the mission to improve the standard of hockey across the Coast.
“What I see in my life purpose, if I can help grow the game on the Gold Coast but more importantly improve the level of play, and individuals and teams on the Gold Coast, I feel that’s something I’d like to achieve,” Madsen said.
“It’s really exciting just already seeing the talent that’s on display here.
“There’s exceptional talent around here and I’m really looking forward to having a small role in improving hockey players in Gold Coast.”
One athlete ready to absorb as much as she can from Madsen is 16-year-old Camryn Mathison, who has hopes she too might reach the Olympics.
Mathison comes from a hugely successful hockey family, with sister Lindsay a former US College player, sister Morgan a Brisbane Blaze player, and brother Will an U21 Australian squad member — but the youngest Mathison is ready to pave her own path.
“I grew up around hockey fields, hitting around with my brother and sisters and watched mum and dad play and now they coach me.
Mathison first picked up a hockey stick at age four in Gladstone, but said it wasn’t love at first hit.
“I actually didn’t want to play hockey, I went to hockey screaming and crying and then after I liked it, so I was kind of forced into it,” she said.
“Everyone would love to play for the Hockeyroos, but I’ll just see where it takes me.
“I just love playing with my friends, it’s good to just get out and have a hit and learn new things, I love it.”
Mathison’s resume speaks for itself with Queensland rep honours for both Schoolgirls and Hockey Queensland, Australian Schoolgirls honours and she’s part of the Australia Futures squad.
Mathison was also awarded player of the tournament at the U18 Gold Coast State Champions and even though she’s 16, is a shadow for the Queensland U21 side.
But despite her sibling’s success and own incredible accolades, Mathison said she was only feeling the pressure a “little bit”.
“I just want to do my best, it’s good watching them play a higher level so I can learn stuff off them.”
Mathison said she was excited to be coached by someone with the experience of Madsen, who said the Australian team were always to be “feared” when South Africa came up against them.
“(The Australian team) were world class. Some of the (Australian) teams I came up against were among the best in the world, they won the World Cup (in 2010 and 2014) and have won medals at Olympic Games.
“We always feared the Australian team.”
Meet the other rising stars of Gold Coast hockey here:
Kaleb Benney
Age: 16
Club: Roosters Hockey Club
Career highlights: Qld U18, Qld u16 Squad, Qld School Boys, Australian School Boys, U18 Gold Coast Team State Champions
Ivy Matthews
Age: 17
Club: Hockey Burleigh
Position: Goal keeper
Career highlights: Qld U18, Australian Futures squad, U18 Gold Coast Team State Champions
Will Powell
Age: 17
Club: Hockey Burleigh
Career highlights: Qld U18, Australian Futures squad, U18 Gold Coast Team State Champions
Quintyn Laskey-Vall
Age: 17
Club: Labrador Hockey Club
Position: Goal keeper
Career highlights: Qld U18, Qld U18 Indoor Team, U18 Gold Coast Team State Champions
Tammin Andrews
Age: 17
Club: Hockey Burleigh
Career highlights: Qld U18 Team, Qld Schoolgirls, Australian Schoolgirls, U18 Gold Coast Team State Champions
Kyan Murphy
Age: 17
Club: Hockey Burleigh
Career highlights: Qld U18 Team, U18 Gold Coast Team State Champions (captain)
Hudson Keeble
Age: 16
Club: Mudgeeraba Hockey Club
Career highlights: Qld U18 Squad Member, U18 Gold Coast Team State Champions
Aston Merrell
Age: 16
Club: Labrador Hockey Club
Career highlights: Qld U15 Team & Qld U18 Squad Member
Tylah Andrews
Age: 15
Club: Burleigh Hockey Club
Career highlights: Qld U15 Team & Qld U18 Squad Member, U18 Gold Coast Team State Champions
Ashton Price
Age: 18
Club: Burleigh Hockey Club
Career highlights: Qld U18 Team, U18 Gold Coast Team State Champions
Amelia Smith
Age: 15
Club: Capri Hockey Club
Career highlights: Qld U15 Team & Qld U16 squad member, U15 Gold Coast team
Chloe Minton-Connell
Age: 15
Club: Labrador Hockey Club
Career highlights: Qld u15 Team & Qld U16 squad member, U15 Gold Coast team
Heidi Myburgh
Age: 16
Club: Burleigh Hockey Club
Career highlights: Qld U15 Team & Qld U16 squad member, U18 Gold Coast Team State Champions
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