Young guns take on world

By Marc McGowan
CHRIS Ciriello and Claire Messent are the toast of the local hockey community after breaking into their respective national squads following strong performances in this year’s Australian Hockey League.
Hockeyroos coach Frank Murray named Berwick’s Messent, 23, in the squad last week, while new Kookaburras mentor Ric Charlesworth gave Endeavour Hills-raised Ciriello, 23, the nod on Tuesday.
Both athletes missed selection for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, but have benefited from a raft of retirements as selectors look towards the future.
Ciriello enjoyed an outstanding AHL campaign that saw him score 11 goals as his Victoria Vikings finished fourth overall.
“I trained pretty hard leading up to it and played reasonably well,” he said. “Defensively, I played quite well – I did a lot of tackling more than anything else – and I also scored quite a few goals. I was hoping to get to about 15, but I got 11 in the end.”
Ciriello, who joins three other Victorians in the Kookaburras side, was, however, disappointed with the Vikings’ result.
“We didn’t play as well as what we could have or should have,” he said.
“Under pressure we didn’t play as well and stopped doing the basics we were doing previously and it sort of showed up.”
Ciriello will travel to Europe with 18 of his Kookaburras team-mates over May and June to compete against some of the top hockey countries in the world.
The tour diary is not final-ised yet, but he knows the Australians will face stiff opposition against the likes of Holland, Spain and Germany.
“I’ve been to Europe a couple of times, but any time you get a trip like that you definitely look forward to it,” the five-time international said.
“It’s good to see the results from my putting in far and beyond with my effort. I’m not too sure who we’re playing against, but generally the European countries are very skilful and fast – it will be good to play against some of the best guys in the world again.”
Ciriello is also set to sign with Dutch powerhouse Bloemendaal.
“I’m still in discussions at the moment, but I’ll more than likely head there,” he said. “If not, there are a few other clubs that are chasing me.
“But that’s probably first choice. The Spanish guys tried to get me to play this year just gone and then there’s also a French club, English club and a German club trying to get me over.”
Ciriello’s biggest goal this year is to play for Australia at the Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne from 28 November to 6 December.
But while he was confident of gaining selection in the Kookaburras’ side, Victoria Viper Messent admitted to being shocked at her Hockeyroos call-up.
“I was surprised. I didn’t think I scored enough goals – I thought there were quite a few attackers in the other states, but I’m pleasantly surprised,” she said.
“It’s a nice feeling to know I have a chance to prove myself over the next year.”
Messent, who has played eight games for her country, missed out on a spot for the Four Nat-ions tour in South Africa from 1 to 6 June, but still has high hopes of making Australia’s Champ-ions Trophy team.
The women’s international showcase is being held in Sydney from 11 to 19 July.
Hockeyroos head coach Frank Murray confirmed Messent was still in the Champions Trophy mix despite being overlooked for the South African trip.
“She played well in the AHL and scored a few goals, but gave the Victorian forward line a bit of a spark,” he said.
“She’s got a bit of pace and strength about her game and she’s continued to improve over the last few years and deserves her spot back in the squad.”