Sunshine Coast hockey club Flinders enjoy return to Division 1 women ranks

Flinders have savoured every minute of a return to the Division 1 ranks after a year out of the competition.

Lengthy road trips, junior debuts and star talent have made for a fruitful return to top tier life for Flinders women after a year’s hiatus.

Flinders chose not to enter a Division 1 women’s side in the Covid-19 postponed and shortened season last year after featuring in the 2019 grand final.

However, eager to strengthen pathways and the competition, Flinders have returned this year with newcomers Cooloola Heat following suit to boost the division to six teams.

Coach Rachel Sihota said Flinders players had savoured every minute of their return despite enduring a rocky start to the season.

“We’ve really taken it to the other teams and provided something new to the competition which has been really good,” she said.

Flinders player Morgan Fogarty

However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the women’s outfit.

“At the start of the year we only had two players return that had played for Flinders before,” she said.

“So, we went on a recruitment campaign just to get another team back into competition.

“I’ve been playing hockey for a while so I basically went through my phonebook and asked (people) to come and play.”

The player call out was a success, with a “totally new” group formed.

Some have even been racking up the kilometres just to represent the club.

“We’ve got three players that travel six hours (round trip) from Bundaberg every Sunday to come and play,” she said.

“And we have four players from Brisbane.

“One of our Bundy players, she has seven children, and on Mother’s Day she travelled to play with us.

“You just can’t thank efforts like that enough and the commitment that’s been given.”

Flinders player Susan Kendall in action

Those travelling from Bundaberg include Susan Kendall, Morgan Fogarty and Krysten Green.

Green is one of three Australian masters players in the Flinders squad.

“We have players that have represented four different states in the past,” Sihota said.

“The captain of the team Kat Kehir is an ex-Australian Country player.”

While boosting Division 1, she said it had also been important to re-establish the side to provide a senior pathway for girls.

Three rising talents have already received a taste for the top division this season.

“We’re just trying to set something up and provide something for players to come through from lower grades in following years,” she said.

Flinders and newcomers Cooloola Heat sit equal fourth and will face off in a crucial clash on Sunday in Gympie as they both fight to make the finals.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast hockey club Flinders enjoy return to Division 1 women ranks