By Marc McGowan
TWO Narre Warren South hockey brothers will take to the field for Hawthorn this weekend in their next step towards sporting notoriety.
Stefan and Bryan Young, 19 and 17 respectively, have developed their hockey skills as members of the Casey Cannons, but have switched clubs ahead of this season.
They helped the Cannons earn promotion to State League Three this year, but will play State League One for Hawthorn in 2009.
The Hawks won the men’s and women’s State League One titles last season.
The club is also home to national team members Claire Messent, who grew up in Berwick, and George Bazeley.
Both Stefan and Bryan have made Victorian squads this year.
Stefan helped the Victorian under-21 side to a runner-up finish in Perth in February, while Bryan will suit up for the state under-18 team in Darwin from 26 May to 6 June. They have accumulated 10 Victorian caps between them.
But Stefan said they had to move to Hawthorn to play a higher standard of hockey and continue their development in the game.
“I probably should have left (Casey) two or three years ago, but I’ve been there for 14 or 15 years so it was really hard – it was kind of now or never,” he said.
“Once I got selected for the 21s, I had a talk with the coach and he said if I want to take my hockey further I have to play State League One.
“I’m still involved at Casey and I took a coaching clinic there this month. Once I’ve taken my hockey as far as I can, I’ll come back and play out my career there.”
Stefan, a personal trainer and physical education university student, enjoys sharing his sporting passion with his family.
His mother, Fiona, also plays for the Cannons and has represented Australia in veterans’ hockey, while his sister, Monika, 10 this month, competes for Casey’s under-11 side.
“It’s great just having the support and we always talk about it and give each other advice,” Stefan said.
“I like playing with Bryan because we push each other and we’re always trying to compete as hard as we can.”
Bryan, who is completing a certificate in building and construction at Chisholm Institute of TAFE in Berwick, is just as enthused about continuing his on-field partnership with his older brother.
The high striker is also excited about playing for Hawthorn and hopes – likes Stefan – that it helps him achieve his goal of making the senior Victorian Vikings side in the future.
“I’d love to play for the Vikings. I’m trying to get as far as I can as early as I can,” Bryan said.
“It’s too far away (to consider playing for Australia), but I’m hoping to play in the AHL (Australian Hockey League) and I’ll see where that takes me.
