Right: The future looks bright for Hampton Park hockey dynamo Ashley Hammond following her selection in the Victorian under-21 squad for July’s Australian Women’s Championship.By Marc McGowan
FAMILY and hockey go hand in hand for Hampton Park teenager Ashley Hammond.
For as long as she can remember, the 19-year-old has either watched family members play or competed herself in the sport she loves.
Last week, Hammond was selected in the Victorian under-21 squad for July’s Australian Women’s Championship.
The tournament will mark the first time the right winger has represented her state after twice playing for local representative side the Southern Sharks.
“Hockey means pretty much everything to me,” Hammond said.
“My whole family plays it. My dad is stoked – he’s so proud.”
Hammond’s family is well known at Dandenong club the SNP Warriors and the aspiring police officer says she owes her success to them.
At the top of the list are her father Shane and uncles Damien and Trevor, while Hammond also thanked her under-17 premiership coach Matthew Phillips.
Despite all the memories Hammond has at the Warriors, she switched clubs to Waverley this season to play at a higher standard.
“I just want to see how far I can go. I’m playing State League One now instead of State League Three,” she said.
“I’ve done eight good weeks of pre-season and I’ve got to know all the girls.”
After being used to the friendly atmosphere at SNP, the trials for the Victorian under-21 team revealed a different side to hockey.
“They were very competitive and, if everyone didn’t get the position they wanted, things got a bit nasty and it wasn’t too nice,” Hammond said.
“It was very fast paced and you tried to be everywhere at once and had to think about your positioning.
“If you mucked the ball up, you had to not worry about it and just get onto the next one.”
Hammond’s state selection may also serve as motivation for her 15-year-old brother Jayson.
“He’s a good, little player and he’s going for the Southern Sharks this year,” she said.
“I think he’s happy that I’ve made it in the Vics, but maybe he thinks he’s getting shown up by his older sister.
“When he gets in, he will be happy.”
