Sport
11 October, 2022
Locals dominating national hockey stage
Despite the relatively small population of the Toowoomba Region, four local boys, including Tom Campbell of Mount Rascal and Dan Burge of Vale View, contributed to over 10 per cent of participants in hockey’s Under 18 Futures Camp.
Tom and Dan were joined by Will Ready from Toowoomba (previously Warwick) and Oliver Harding, also from Toowoomba.
All four boys have represented Queensland and compete in the Toowoomba A Grade men’s hockey competition.
They travelled to Canberra for the Australian Hockey National Under 18 Futures Camp, which was overseen by a name very familiar to those who follow the Kookaburras or simply hockey at the Olympics.
Knowles oversaw four days of intensive skills and drills sessions culminating in two games held between the 38 (32 able to attend the camp) nationally recognised young male players who were invited and able to attend a 12 month development program run by Hockey Australia.
Those who attended can be counted among the top one per cent of hockey players in Australia.
In attendance were specialist coaches from hockey centres across Australia, providing instruction, supervision and implementation of the latest and best skills and management of training, preparation and life skills for these promising future representative hockey players.
Players from all states and territories of Australia were brought together in one venue at the AIS sport facility and ACT hockey centre to provide this opportunity.
The boys were helped along their journey by former Toowoomba Hockey Association Regional Coaching and Hockey Manager Matt Cook, who has recently moved to take on a position in Canberra Hockey.
Also pivotal to their success have been the many volunteers in coaching and administrators who have provided the opportunity for these boys to achieve what they have.
