Amy Stripling, Ethan MacDonald among top performers at U18 hockey nationals

A top-tier Territory coach who travelled with the squads to the U18 hockey nationals has returned to the Top End feeling ‘really proud’. Here’s the players who stood out to him.

An Australian representative could be among a flurry of Territory hockey players which impressed NT under-18s women’s coach Jason Butcher at the under-18 nationals in Tasmania earlier this month.

At the nine-day tournament, the NT women’s team had the better finish of the two sides with one win, a draw and three losses coming from five matches as opposed to the men’s team which went winless.

In speaking about impressive performers from the event, Butcher, who coached the under-18’s women’s team, dropped a hint there could be an NT hockey player selected in the Australian U18 representative team.

“The Australian under-18 selections are going to be announced I think tomorrow so we are looking forward to seeing how our girls go with that as well,” he said on Thursday afternoon.

He remained tight lipped on confirming weather there was an NT player selected in the national team.

Butcher, who is also the Hockey NT senior men’s head coach and CEO, said his young team at the tournament was one he was excited about for their future.

“It’s a group that we are really buoyant about in terms of their capability, talent and what we think they can become,” he said about the women’s side.

“So this tournament was the next step from that.

“It’s still a very young team, we got a couple of 15-year-old’s and so forth playing which doesn’t happen (often).

“So our performance was what we designed and wanted it to be.

“We are really proud of their efforts.”

Top performers - U18 Women

“Amy Stripling who is a current futures athlete, had a solid tournament, was really consistent.

“Macenzee Dixon had some moments of brilliance and really showcased in patches what she was capable of which is really exciting.

“So those two were key. Also, Evie Sievers our local goalkeeper had an outstanding tournament, she played very well.

“So they were probably the key three that we identified when we talked to the group after the tournament.”

Amy Stripling. Picture: Hockey NT

Macenzee Dixon. Picture: Hockey NT

Evie Sievers. Picture: Hockey NT

Top performers - U18 Men

Ethan MacDonald. Picture: Hockey NT

Joe Lauritsen. Picture: Hockey NT

“We were really happy with how Ethan MacDonald played. He had a great tournament.

“And then we are looking at a couple of our kids, 16-year-old’s Tobias Jenner and Joe Lauritsen.

“They are playing big roles as 16-year-olds so they got some work to do but we are really pleased with how they presented and what they did with that opportunity as well.”