By JARROD POTTER
FAMILY passion brought Billy Halrahan to hockey, but his own love of the sport has propelled him into a Victorian representative team.
Halrahan, 11, from Berwick, had his first hockey stick given to him by his dad Mick when he was four and the now Southern United Hockey Club player has been improving his game ever since.
His talents earned him a spot on the School Sport Victoria under-12 boy’s hockey team, after three trials to test his mettle against other young stars, and Halrahan is thrilled to represent Victoria at the upcoming national championships.
“I started hockey when I was four-years-old,” Halrahan said.
“We had three trials – in Moorabbin, Greensborough and the hockey centre in the city.
“It’s my first time making it (the SSV team) and it’s exciting.”
Halrahan spends most of his time across the half-line and like most players isn’t averse to sneaking forward to slot a goal.
He plays for Southern United Hockey Club in Cheltenham and has enjoyed the step up in standard since changing clubs three-years-ago.
Halrahan wanted to thank his family for driving him about the state for his hockey.
“I want to thank my mum, dad and my grandma for taking me to games and to training,” Halrahan said.
The Berwick Lodge Primary School student also plays football for Berwick Junior Football Club and Halrahan loves to roam about the midfield.
School Sport Victoria play at the School Sport Australia 12-years-and-under hockey championships, held this year in Hobart, Tasmania from 3 to 8 August.
