Casey Cannons Lindsey Ritchie, Ali Aquino and Rebecca Guy represented the Southern Sharks at the Junior State Hockey Championships at the State Netball and Hockey Centre this month.By Marc McGowan
THREE Casey Cannons young guns put their talents on show at this month’s Junior State Hockey Championships at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.
Lindsey Ritchie, 13, and Rebecca Guy, 12, played for the victorious Southern Sharks’ under 13 girls’ side, while 12-year-old Ali Aquino suited up for the Sharks’ under 13 boys’ squad.
Aquino’s team had to settle for second place behind the Eastern Hotshots.
The trio had to battle their way through trials against players from the Greater Dandenong Warriors, Frankston, Mentone, Mornington, Southern United, St Bede’s, Toorak-East Melbourne and Waverley to earn the honour.
The annual event pits Southern against the Country Cobras, the Eastern Hotshots, the Red Devils and the Western Wildcats.
Along with winning the under 13 girls’ competition, the Sharks also took out the under 15 boys and finished runners-up in the under 13 and under 14 boys’ events.
The under 13 girls’ tournament was particularly exciting, with Southern needing victory in its last match to seal the title.
Wingers Lindsey and Rebecca and centre forward Ali put in two months of training with their respective Sharks groups in the lead-up to the event.
This year’s competition was Lindsey’s and Rebecca’s second appearance for the Sharks and Ali’s first.
They all play in the Cannons’ under 13 Pennant A outfit, which helped them relax in the competitive environment, according to Lindsey’s mother Lorraine.
“It’s nice when they see each other at a tournament because it’s a familiar face,” she said.
“Quite often you don’t even know the kids selected in your team, so it’s a social process as well.
“It’s a much better level and all these kids are pretty switched on.”
Lorraine believes the selection of the three players is a testament to Casey’s strength as a club.
“It’s good to have some representatives from the club involved because not all clubs necessarily have a representative,” she said.
“If Casey can keep developing youngsters like this they’ll move onto the older age groups and it will be fabulous for the club.”
Rebecca is also in contention for the Victorian Primary Schools’ Sports Association side, which will compete in the Pacific School Games in Canberra in December.
Lindsey is too old now, but made the same squad last year.
Lorraine said being involved in events such as the Junior State Hockey Championships and the Pacific School Games was a big thrill for competitors.
“As far as their hockey development and socially, it’s fabulous,” she said.
“You’re able to participate in a team in club hockey, but (representative competitions are) just an extension of it and are one of those fabulous things worth being involved in.”
