Your ultimate guide to the inaugural women’s Club Glenvale Challenge

Squads, fixtures and essential information on Toowoomba Hockey’s inaugural women’s Club Glenvale Challenge

HOCKEY: Holly Gilbar has been an elite-level player for a number of years now, and she knows the time is right for the women to get their chance at the Club Glenvale Challenge.

A COVID Cup champion with Past High and an Australian indoor squad member last year, Gilbar will take on a new role as captain of the Stafford Strikers.

It’s a challenge she’s looking forward to, in a competition that will showcase the best of the best in Toowoomba Hockey.

“It’s been such a successful concept with the men so far, and with such a strong group of women in Toowoomba at the moment, I’m excited to see how this challenge will push up to the next level,” Gilbar said.

“For some of the young players this will be their first time playing at the A-grade level, and it is good to see that next group stepping up.”

With Kirsten Dodds at the helm as coach, Gilbar said the Strikers have been able to draft a formidable roster for the upcoming season.

“We’ve got a lot of strength and depth within our roster,” she said.

“We have some good experienced players and a lot of talent in our younger group that will really put it to the other teams.

“Playing in the striking line, I’m lucky to have a few up and coming strikers alongside me in Eloise McKenzie and Stella Suey.

“I’ve been watching their development through the years and it will be great to see how I can go playing with them and how they can continue to improve.”

Elke Swain will take the reins as coach of the SQPS Scorers, and said she is relishing the opportunity of both teaching and learning from a new group of players.

“As a coach I’m loving the experience of having new players who are there to help, guide and assist,” Swain said.

“Having some senior players in the mix is super helpful with the young players we have coming through.

“All we’re worrying about is encouraging new stuff, having some fun and learning things along the way that can be taken back to clubs.”

While things were initially slow to get running, Swain said the response has been a good one from players.

“It did take some convincing, and I didn’t know if the women would jump on board as much as they have,” she said.

“Some of our veteran players are still keen to give back to junior players.”

The Club Glenvale Challenge for both the men and women gets underway on Friday night at Clyde Park.

SQUADS

RUHLE REBELS

Rachel Macready (captain), Hayley Achilles, Lauryn Anderson, Ainsley Clancy, Bobbie Hamlet, Michelle King, Felicity Koch, Sue Marcussen, Phoebe Mogg, Caitlin Russ, Rebecca Stark, Sarah Steinhardt, Alex Thompson, Pyper Trapp, Kacie Trost. Coach: Leon Achilles. Manager: Liza Hood

CS VIXENS

Amanda Ross (captain), Emma Bradbury, Jane Butler, Georgina Greig, Macey Hill, Tannah Hood, Eliza Lebsanft, Emily Manhire, Madyson Mogg, Ebony Panzram, Emily Payne, Tatum Stewart, Briana Suey, Kirsty Tolputt, Tammy Williams, Katie Wollstein. Coach: Shane Mogg. Manager: Alisa Panzram

SQPS SCORERS

Erin McCurley-Ault (captain), Sarah Bradbury, Abby Burge, Delaney Burke, Mai Connor, Rebecca Denny, Shayel Fielder, Ella Hagenbach, Tess Henare, Emily McKewen, Heidi Phillips, Lily Rickert, Jada Rutledge, Mackenze Rutledge, Katarina Taylor, Brooke Thompson. Coach: Elke Swain. Manager: Sue Henare

STAFFORD STRIKERS

Holly Gilbar (captain), Aimee Doveton, Bronte Gannon, Erin Gilbar, Mekenzie Hermann, Kirsty Hunter, Lily Kemph, Jessica Kibble, Eloise McKenzie, Kate Morris, Ella Rogers, Stella Suey, Monique Thomas, Jess Wallace, Ella White, Heidi Zimmerle. Coach: Kirsten Dodds. Manager: Sue Achilles

FIXTURES

Rd 1 - Feb 12

Rebels vs Vixens, Scorers vs Strikers

Rd 2 - Feb 19

Vixens vs Strikers, Rebels vs Scorers,

Rd 3 - Feb 26

Strikers vs Rebels, Vixens vs Scorers

Rd 4 - Mar 5

Strikers vs Scorers, Vixens vs Rebels

Rd 5 - Mar 12

Strikers vs Vixens, Scorers vs Rebels

Rd 6 - Mar 19

Scorers vs Vixens, Rebels vs Strikers

All games played at Clyde Park. First game listed at 6.15pm, second at 8pm