Three Mackay hockey players will play for Queensland Country in the Australian national championships

‘They’re all a good bunch of young blokes, who did really well and did the region proud.’

Rhys Stenzel, Ipswich and Noah Gauci, Mackay. Ipswich vs Mackay. Hockey Queensland Championship. Saturday, May 1, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Three Mackay hockey players will get the chance to represent their state when Queensland Country competes in the Australian National championships in August.

Strikers Noah Gauci, Drew Wenzel, and defender Josh Baxter, who have all represented Queensland at junior levels, have been named for the tournament in Western Australia.

The selection follows the Hockey Queensland Championships where teams from across the state played in Toowoomba in early May.

Gauci and Baxter have featured in elite Australian pathways and played for Australian junior sides, while Wenzel has represented Queensland in under-18s and 21s before.

A Grade men: Arsenal's Drew Wenzel (red) and Souths' Jamie Sanders (light blue).

Mackay men’s coach Justin Spyve said the boys did not feel pressure surrounding the tournament.

“The fellas took the pressure in their stride, just getting through each game with limited numbers was a challenge, no one had any pressure on getting selection,” he said.

“They just enjoyed playing together.”

Injuries to key Mackay personnel hurt the side’s ability to challenge in most matches, but it allowed several players to showcase their versatility in different situations.

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Spyve said Gauci’s unselfishness throughout the Queensland championships bode well for selection.

“Noah had to drop back at times, play primarily as a defender as we lost players through injury, but his versatility meant he was able to adapt quickly,” Spyve said.

“Noah played very well, he didn’t get to play his preferred position of striker, but his expertise really helped the side throughout the tournament.”

Spyve was proud of his captain Declan Mulherin, who was another player thrown into different positions.

“Declan really led from the front, he displayed true leadership in the tournament,” Spyve said.

“I don’t think he even nominated for selection, but he’s another player who I thought did exceptionally well despite the circumstances.”

“They’re all a good bunch of young blokes, who did really well and did the region proud.”

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Originally published as Three Mackay hockey players will play for Queensland Country in the Australian national championships