By Marc McGowan
NARRE Warren South hockey sensation Craig Moore enjoyed a stunning Australian Indoor Hockey Championships last month in Wollongong.
Craig, 13, netted nine goals at the championships to head the goalscoring for the under-13 Victorian Bushrangers and at one stage had a streak of four games where he scored twice.
It was a remarkable performance, considering Craig had not even played the sport before last year.
“I only started playing indoor in September – I had never heard of the sport,” he said.
“When I trialled, I had never played it before – I only knew the rules.”
The year eight Berwick Secondary College student has played outdoor hockey since he was six with the Casey Cannons Hockey Club, but this was the first time he had represented his state.
Craig received an unexpected bonus when he was named captain of the side – an honour that has been a theme throughout his career.
“It was just amazing. It was a surprise to get captain,” he said.
“When I found out it didn’t really kick in, but the title of captain becomes bigger every game you play.
“I’m kind of getting used to (being captain) now.
“So far this year and last year, I’ve captained every single team I’d played in except one.”
Craig joined three other Casey players – Carlie Stewart, Scott Cullen and Bryan Young, at the championships, while Bryan’s older brother Stefan played in the recent under-18 tournament on the Gold Coast.
It was an extraordinary effort from the club, which, according to Craig, has a bright future.
“Casey is a small club, so pretty much everyone knows each other, unlike the other bigger clubs,” he said.
“A lot of people are talking about when all our juniors go up to men’s, we will start playing State League Two.”
The club currently participates in State League Four.
Craig is already testing his skills in the men’s side and notices a vast difference between the senior and junior game.
“In juniors I can intimidate some kids, but in men’s, they are a lot stronger and go harder at the ball,” he said.
“Most people say that hockey is all about using a stick and a ball, but once you get out on the field, it can get pretty physical – especially the higher the level you play.
“In a one-on-one contest where you have to beat a player to get the ball, you will get pulled off the field if you didn’t use your body.”
The Victorian Bushrangers are the state’s B side in indoor hockey, so Moore still has plenty of motivation to play in the state’s top team.
“I was actually told why I didn’t make it – it was because of consistency. Also, because it’s my first year, they didn’t want to put me in a team,” he said.
“I tend to drift off every now and then during games, so that’s something I need to work on.”
With the summer season winding up, Craig is preparing to step into outdoor hockey mode, where he will play six days a week.
“I haven’t done as well in outdoor, but now that I’ve made the Victorian Bushrangers in indoor it gives me more motivation to make the outdoor state team,” he said.
“Next year I’m going to be an underage player in under 16s, so I hope to make the Victorian Bushrangers then in two years’ time the main team.”
