Casey Cannons, back from left, Samantha Wagg, Liam Alards, Rebecca Guy, Keeley Brown and Matthew Light, and front, Casey little athletes Seamus Murphy, Danielle Cameron, Sam Prime, Jessica Cox and Jordan Nelson competed at last week’s Pacific School Games in Canberra. 25432 Picture: Meagan RogersBy Marc McGowan
TEN of Casey’s most promising athletes showcased their talents at the Pacific School Games in Canberra last week.
Thirty-five countries compete in the event, which is held every three or four years for children aged between 10 and 19.
Casey Cannons Hockey Club members Rebecca Guy, Samantha Wagg, Liam Alards and Matthew Light took to the field in a variety of age groups, while Keeley Brown made the trip as an umpire.
The other five representatives, Sam Prime, Jordan Nelson, Seamus Murphy, Jessica Cox and Danielle Cameron, came from Casey Little Athletics Centre.
Vice-captain Guy and Wagg were part of the School Sport Victoria under-12 girls’ squad that won seven of its eight matches before losing on penalty strokes to NSW in a heartbreaking grand final.
The Victorians led until their NSW counterparts scored the equaliser with just four minutes left in regulation and the states could not be separated in two extra-time periods.
NSW finally emerged triumphant 4-3 on penalty strokes.
Light also achieved success, winning bronze with the under-16 boys’ side, while Alards and his under-12 team-mates finished fourth.
Brown earned the honour of umpiring the under-16 grand final.
Guy’s mother, Susan Ashe, was proud of her daughter and her team-mates despite the result.
“That (the under-12 girls’ gold medal playoff) was the most nerve-racking game of hockey,” Ashe said.
“They fought for it – there are no two ways about it – and it was sad the way they lost the game.
“There were lots of kids in tears … it’s quite a ruthless way for the kids to have lost it, but they’ve all matured because of it.”
Ashe was glowing in her praise of the international competition.
“It was a fantastic experience. The opening and closing ceremonies were huge for the kids,” she said.
“There was lots of swapping of uniforms. We have a Japanese playing skirt and Chinese representative jackets.
“The whole experience was so worthwhile and was rewarding for the parents, kids and coaches.”
Guy and fellow Casey Hockey Club player Lindsey Ritchie will also compete for Victoria at under-14 level at next month’s Australian Indoor Hockey Championships in NSW.
Prime starred for Victoria on the athletics track, backing up her national cross-country title from August with gold in the 13-year-old girls’ 1500m.
She clocked 4:40.30 to pip South Australian Sophie Linn by just over four-tenths of a second.
Nelson was also impressive in his two events, snaring silver in the 16-year-old boys’ 2km steeplechase and finishing seventh in the same age group in the 3km.
Seamus Murphy came sixth in the 15-year-old boys’ 2km steeplechase, while Danielle Cameron placed sixth in the 12-year-old girls’ high jump.
Jessica Cox was sixth in her heat of the 11-year-old girls’ 800m.
