Media Releases

Emily McNaughton

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I come from a family of four, with one older sister who also plays hockey. I am 12 years old and I go to The Hamilton and Alexandra College in Hamilton.

I am a hockey goalkeeper and I have been playing in this position for about the last four years.

I love creating all sorts of creative art things and going bushwalking with my Dad up the Grampians Mountains. I also enjoy going down to the beach with my surfboard and trying to catch a wave.

 

So you are a State level hockey goalie, where did you start your hockey journey?

I first started playing hockey as a field player for the local Dunkeld Hockey team. Then one day the team needed a goalkeeper, so I stuck my hand up and volunteered to play for the team in that position. I didn’t even know how to put the equipment on at the start and it all went on in a jumbled hurry before the game. Eventually, I started to get comfortable with the goalie gear and I worked out how to adjust everything to make it fit properly. After the first game, I was hooked! I really enjoyed playing as a goalie and I found that I was able to do the job quit well, so it was something I immediately took to. I then started to play full time as a goalkeeper.

My journey really started to commence when I was introduced to the idea of playing for additional teams in higher level competitions, by a local hockey family, who were mentoring my development. I then trialled for the Glenelg Regional Hockey Team and was selected as goalie to play in the Junior Country Championships in Melbourne. I had a great time playing in this comp, so I was spurred on to trail for the South West Country Eagles team for the Junior State Championships (JSC). After playing in the JSC, this really opened my eyes up to the exciting world of playing hockey in Melbourne against Metro teams and sparked my interest in attending trials for the State team. I had the benefit of being guided by my hockey mentor family, who introduced me to the Hockey Victoria Academy and trying out for the State team. At the same time, I was travelling to Melbourne twice a week for a Hockey Victoria Goalie Development Program, to try and improve my skills.

My mentor family also suggested I look at trying out for the School Sport Victoria State Hockey Team, which I managed to be selected for as the emergency goalkeeper. This meant that I had the benefit of training with the team and being coached by them for a couple of months prior to the Australian Championships in NSW.

Towards the end of last year, I was selected for the hockey Victoria Under 13 State Girls Team and started my journey training with the team in preparation for the Australian Championships in Hobart, Tasmania.

My journey to the State Team was helped by the fact that I had the support of my now current school, The Hamilton and Alexandra College, who allowed me to access their hockey pitch to train after hours, in preparation for the hockey trials. Without being able to train in front of goals on a hockey pitch, it would have been almost impossible to improve my skills. Prior to that, I was training on the only thing I could access, and that was my primary schools down-ball court!

 

 

Have you always been a goalie, did you ever play in other roles?

When I first started playing hockey I was a field player. I still enjoy getting out on the field every now and then, and having a hit with the other players.

 

I personally have never had anything to do with hockey, for someone like me, can you explain the game in simple terms?

It’s a lot like soccer really in a way, but with a stick to hit balls with. You have a ball and you try to get a goal by working it down the mid field, towards the goal. There are two sides playing each other, each with 11 players per team. Each team has 10 field players and a goalkeeper. The formations include five forwards, three halfbacks, two full backs, and one goalkeeper. In the state level competition, you play four 15 minute quarters over the entire game.

 

Can you explain the equipment that you would wear and need in your on field role?

I wear body armour to protect myself from being injured when I get struck by the hockey ball. This includes a special padded chest plate, arm guards and a pair of specially designed protective shorts. I use all parts of my body to block the ball, which includes my hands, legs, chest and feet. I use anything really…just to stop the ball! That’s my job and my sole focus!

I have a special light weight hockey stick, as goalies need to hold their hands up with the stick a lot, to block high strikes on goal. My stick only weighs a few hundred grams. My goalie helmet is light weight as well, as it’s made of carbon fibre, so its strong but doesn’t weigh my head down when I move. I have just recently got newly designed OBO kickers from New Zealand, which are made of a high rebound material and have a square shaped toe. This means I can control the direction of my kicking better and it will rebound further away from the goals. My leg guards and gloves are made of the same high rebound material as well. I haven’t always had these high tech pieces of equipment, as I started out with borrowing my local Dunkeld Hockey Club’s goalie gear. Eventually I got my own set of body armour & equipment, which lasted me about a year of wear and tear, before I progressed into higher quality equipment. The goalie gear is very colourful and you see a lot of different variations of colours in the leg guards, kickers and goalie smocks…which adds a bit of fun to the position. One thing you have to be careful of, is to take care of the gear and always air it out to dry after games, as goalkeepers always get very hot wearing all the body armour, even on a cold day!

 

What has been your favourite competition so far?

I would have to say playing in the Hockey Victoria Under 13 Girls State Team in Hobart, Tasmania last year, was my favourite competition so far. Tasmania is really into its hockey and Hobart has a great hockey facility with 3 turf pitches. It was an amazing experience flying over with the team and training with them & competing in the Australian Championships. You live all together with your team and coaches and after the games, you either do training & planning tactics for the next day, or you might do a wind down session like swimming at the beach, for instance. Some nights we were able to catch up with our families and have dinner with them, but then it was back to the accommodation to work through the team tactics, before getting some sleep.

 

What does a week in the life of Emily look like?

I am playing in 5 hockey teams at the moment, so life is pretty busy, and it’s about to ramp up when I start going to the Hockey Victoria Academy training in July twice a week in Melbourne. I train for A and B grade hockey teams on Wednesday nights, which I alternate with South West Academy gym training at HILAC as well. I play A grade games on Friday and Sundays as well as B grade games on Sunday too. I play Division 4 games on Saturday for my local Dunkeld hockey Club, who started me off on my hockey career. I also have recently been selected into the Glenelg Junior Country Championship team and the South West Country Eagles team for the Junior State Championships, so I have to squeeze in training with these teams also before the competitions start. It’s really important as a goalie to get to know your team and to attend the training sessions so that you can all learn to work in with each other and get to know how they play on the field. As a goalie, I have the job of controlling the full backs and controlling the defence, so I have to yell out (through my helmet) where I want them to be on the field and where the opposition players are, as I have a better vision of the field from my position.

 

Do you train every day?

No, I don’t train every day, but I do train about three times a week. Some of my training is just physical fitness training to increase my speed, so that I will be quicker in my movements as a goalkeeper. I do the ‘Beep’ Test a couple of times a week to ensure my fitness is improving all the time, as well as the gym sessions at HILAC with the South West Academy. I also do extra training with my mum and dad who use a ‘Bola’ ball throwing machine, to help me practise my foot and kicking skills against fast balls. The other nights of the week I train with the teams to practise on the hockey field.

 

Do you train locally?

Yes at the moment most of my training is local, except when I train with the Eagles, which is either in Ballarat or Warrnambool. I’m lucky enough that my school, The Hamilton and Alexandra College, give me access to train on their full size hockey pitch, to help support my development.

I’m also about to start travelling twice a week to train in Melbourne with the Academy at the State Hockey Centre over the next couple of months, so it means lots of time spent travelling in the car!

 

Is there one player you particularly try to play like?

I would love to play like Rachael Lynch, who is the goalkeeper for the Australian Hockey Team. Her skills are amazing and she is very dedicated to her training.

 

Any hockey heroes?

Maddie Hinch is a hockey hero for me, who is the world number 1 goalkeeper and plays for England. Rachael Lynch is also my hero though and I have been lucky enough to meet her a couple of times!

 

What events do you have coming up?

I have the Junior Country Championships and the Junior State Championships coming up in a couple of weeks, so that should be lots of fun. I play in these competitions every year and I really enjoy the comradery!!

 

How do you manage school and sport commitments?

I have to be very organised with my time and schedule in homework very early, as soon as I get it, to make sure I get it done around all my hockey commitments. I also make sure I try and get to bed early so I get my rest, as I have such a busy schedule.

 

If you could give some advice to players just starting out in hockey, what would it be?

Have a go and just jump in! Don’t be afraid to stick your hand up to try goalkeeping. Goalkeeping is fun and is an important part of the team, as you can be the difference between whether the team wins or loses a game. I would advise anyone starting out in goalkeeping to get in touch with other goalkeeping families, to see if you can get some tips and training from a fellow goalie, to start you out, and also to try and find a goal keeping coach, as you progress up the line. I would also advise young goalkeepers just starting out to make sure your goalie equipment fits you correctly, as it really hampers your performance if the equipment doesn’t fit you properly. Lastly, I was always told to remember that if a ball gets through your goals, just remember that it had to get through the other 10 players before it got through you, so don’t take it too much to heart if one gets through!

 

Callum Bridge

 

Hi Callum, today you are our focus for our spotlight on series, our readers would love to get to know you a little better.

 

For those who don’t know, you are a State level hockey goalie, and you have been playing for quite a while now,  can you tell us where your hockey journey began?

Well I’ve been playing hockey since I was 6 years old. I started playing on the field, when I started playing U13. The team had to put a goalkeeper in each week and no-one wanted to do it so we rotated it around everybody so we all could have a go. When I had my go I was told that I was really good at it and I also enjoyed it so I guess it started there.

 

I believe your dad had a bit to do with hockey as well, has he had a big impact on your career?

Yes he has, I would have been able to be at this level, playing for the state, without dad. He has helped me, along with mum, through the toughest part of playing cause when your 10-nil down you don’t really feel the best and they just help bring my spirits up.

 

What is the thing that you love most about your sport

To be honest I don’t really know. I guess that it’s an outdoor sport and you can meet new people that love the sport

 

Have you always played in the same position, is it your favorite.

As I’ve said before I haven’t always played the same position but I wouldn’t really say that it’s by far my favourite position because I enjoy playing midfield when I get the chance but I do enjoy playing in goals.

 

Going forward, where do you hope for your career to lead you.

Well, I would love to one day represent Australia in the Commonwealth games, Olympics, and the World Cup, that’s the long-term goal but I need to make the state U21s team first though. So yeah I’ve still got a long way to go.

 

Do you have any advice for younger players wanting to become better, or more experienced in hockey.

To always listen to your coaches because they are there to get you to perform at your best ability and I couldn’t have done any of this without my coaches.

 

You live regionally, is it hard to get to the high levels of your sport living so far from Melbourne?

It is a little bit but gratefully I have very dedicated parents that drive me to and from Melbourne each week. I couldn’t be able to do it if they weren’t dedicated and help me follow my dream.

 

We have been doing 1,500km per week with state training but that will drop down a bit once that finishes up.

 

How much training do you do each week and where?

I start the week of in Ballarat training for 1.5 hours with the WestVic team there, then on a Wednesday night I’m going up to Melbourne to train with the state team for 2 hours, Thursday night is with my local team technique, and I finish the week of back in Melbourne to have another 2 hour training with the state team.

 

Then I’ve got games in Melbourne on a Friday night which is anywhere from Greensborough, the City or Footscray. Dad picks me up after school and we head off straight away. Then I play 2 games in Warrnambool on a Saturday.

 

What does a typical game day involve?

I don’t exactly have a set program for a game day.

 

What are your recovery procedures?

I have an electrolytes drink that I have and I also have something with protein in it after the game.

 

Have you had any major injuries?

I haven’t had any major injuries but I’ve had a few minor ones like I have had a few knocks on my knee during playing field once but I only bruised the bone.

 

Anyone you would like to thank?

I would like to thank Mum and Dad for everything they do and have done for me so far in my career, from driving me to and from Melbourne 2 to 3 times a week to bringing up my sprites after a loss. I would also like to thank all my coaches for helping me and giving me tips.

 

SWAS has also played a big part in it with the strength and conditioning sessions, Dallas was great last year and I am looking forward to this years sessions.

 

Thanks so much for letting us learn more about you.

Tara Elliott

Hi Tara and Congratulations on being the focus of this episode of Spotlight On.

 

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

 I am 17, I’m currently completing year 12 at Warrnambool College as part of their accelerated learning program. I was born in Port Fairy, and have lived in Terang, Kolora, Wangoom and Warrnambool. I have spent most of my life living on a farm before dad injured his shoulder so we moved into town and I went to Terang College for my primary schooling.

 

You are one of 5 children, were all of your family sporty?

 I’m actually the second oldest, so my brother Harris(15) plays cricket and football, I play netball, my older brother Liam(21) played football when he was younger but doesn’t anymore, my mum never really played sports, but my dad played cricket, football and tennis quite competitively, and still plays and actually works in cricket.

 

Being part of a big family, are any of your siblings involved in netball as well? 

 None of my immediate family have played netball before, although Lucy is planning to start NetSetGo next year.

 

At what age did you begin to really enjoy netball? 

I started NetSetGo when I was 6 and have played ever since then and have always enjoyed it, but I think when I got to Under 15s and it got a bit more competitive and I was learning more detailed skills and really working on my game, I enjoyed it just that bit more.

 

Have you always played with the same club?

I did NetSetGo, Under 13’s and my first year of Under 15’s at Kolora-Noorat, before then moving to North Warrnambool FNC. My first year for north was actually in their U14’s team in the Sunday competition when I was also playing with Kolora-Noorat, before then moving into their U15’s team the next year, and I’ve been there since.

 

 

What is your favourite netball position on the court? 

 I always find this the hardest question!! I love GA and GD as you get to be present up the court and influence the play just that bit more, but I also enjoy playing GS and GK.

 

What has been your greatest achievement on the netball court? 

 Making the U17 state team top 50 in 2018, getting asked to fill in a game for the Ballarat Sovereigns in the VNL, the various Western Region and league representative teams I have been a part of, my U14 HFNL league B&F and playing seniors with North Warrnambool.

 

What does a usual training week look like for you? 

Monday- SWAS strength & conditioning program (1 hr)

Tuesday- game of netball (1 hr)

Thursday- Netball training(U17s & seniors) (3 hrs)

Saturday- two games of netball

As well as this, I complete individual strength and conditioning at home, shooting practise and I travel to Melbourne once a month for the Victorian U19 Regional talent academy that I’m in.

 

Do you have to travel much for your sport? 

 At this point not really as I’m not playing VNL or in the state team, but as previously mentioned I travel to Melbourne once a month for Academy, as well as Shepparton/Melbourne etc. for various competitions (state titles, association champs).

 

What do you suggest is a good way for young kids interested in netball to do, to become involved? 

 Find a club that is welcoming and supportive, start playing for fun at the stadium as it is a great way to build connections and see if you want to pursue the sport, and train like you want to play!

 

What is your favourite part of being part of a team and being involved in a team environment? 

 I like playing a sport where you can influence the game but the outcome isn’t reliant on you. I love playing with my friends and building friendships with my teammates, coaches and supporters around the club, and I especially love the support you get from those around you, on and off the court.

 

Have you ever suffered any major injuries?

 I’ve sprained both ankles playing basketball, as well as jarring most of my fingers in basketball and netball, but otherwise I’ve been pretty lucky in terms of injuries.

 

You have been a member of SWAS for a few years now, and have stayed in the program as an Individual Athlete after completing the Netball Program.

Can you possibly explain the overall benefits that being a SWAS member has given you.

 I think having an extra group of people that are constantly backing you in your journey, whilst also providing you with a specialised gym program, giving you an insight into being an elite athlete, sharing your story, providing people to come and talk to you about the different aspects of sport, and always being open for a talk, are just a few of the benefits of joining SWAS and some of the main reasons I chose to stay a part of it after completing the netball program.

 

What was your favourite part of the SWAS program?

 The friendships you make, the bonds you build with your coaches and the s&c sessions.

 

Thank you so much for your time today!

 

 

Sara Quinn

Hi Sara, so today I have some questions about what lead you to be the head coach for SWAS’ netball program and to find out about the woman behind the team.

 

How long has netball been a passion?

I have been playing netball since I was 8 years old, and have loved the game since day 1. That’s over 30 years now

 

What made you want to coach?

I love the technical side of coaching and the ability to pass my passion on to others. I also enjoying being able to improve a player’s knowledge and skill level.

 

Do you have a particular highlight within your coaching career?

I have coached a few premiership teams which is always a highlight, but also gaining an apprentice coaching position with the Netball Vic Western Zone Academy was a fantastic opportunity for me.

 

What lead you to SWAS?

I have been with SWAS since the initial development of the netball academy and was approached by Sarah Wall, due to my involvement in junior development within the South West.

 

What is your favourite thing about helping SWAS athlete’s achieve their dreams?

Watching their confidence in their own skill soar and for them to realise their own potential.

 

If you could have played any other sport, what would it have been?

Is there another sport apart from netball???….. I really don’t know.

 

Do you play netball still; tell us a bit about that?

Yes I still play. I currently play in the A grade competition for Old Collegians FNC, in the WDFNL league. I have the pleasure of playing with my eldest daughter this year, which is an exciting thing to be able to do. I’m hoping my body can hold out for the entire season.

 

Getting to know the real you now, what’s your favourite pastime away from the courts?

When I’m not playing, coaching, umpiring or training; I spend a lot of time being a mum taxi for my four daughters commitments. However I love attending concerts, eating delicious food and spending time with my favourite people.

 

Where did you grow up, family etc.?

I’m originally from Mildura, and moved to the South West in 1994 with my family. I am a single mum of 4 daughters (17, 11, 10 & 5) and love living in the South West.

 

Looking back is there anything you would go back and change in your career?

If I had been more aware of pathways to elite level, then I would have definitely would have pursued this avenue.

 

If you could give one bit of advice to a young child wanting to start playing netball what would it be?

Do it. Netball is one of the best sports in the world. Some of my best memories and friendships are due to netball.

 

 

Thank you so much for giving us the chance to get to know the person behind the program!

 

 

Harry and Tom Clark

Ages: Harry 16 years, Tom 13 years.

So guys, Today we focus on your amazing success at the recent Australian Clay Target Association National Titles in Roma, Queensland.

Leading up to a major meet like the one you have just been to do you do anything differently in your preparations?
We try to shoot as many local events leading up to the competition.

How many years have you been involved in clay target?

Harry 4 years

Tom 12 months.

Now tell me, is there a rivalry between the two of you?
Yes there is. There is always bragging rights up for grabs.

Do you ever get grumpy at each other? Do you find it easier, or harder having a sibling that does the same disciplines as you?
 

Yes we get grumpy at each other if we are in the same squad standing next to each other competing.
For Tom it is easier because he has been watching Harry for several years.

Do you get to travel a lot?
Yes we do. We have just returned from Roma in Queensland where we both competed at the National Titles.

Earlier this year we competed at the Tasmanian State Titles and in November the Victorian State Titles.

Are your competitions mostly local or does it involve going to many different places /states to compete?
We compete most weekends at local competitions in preparation for major competitions.

Where has your favourite competition been so far?
Our favourite competition is Roma Queensland for the National Titles.

With the recent Championships, what did they involve?
It involved competing for 6 days over 6 different events and the last 3 events were qualifying for representing Australia at the World Championships in England.

How many people were you up against?

There were 450 plus people competing.
 

Were they all the same age? Or is there a big range in age groups?

The ages of competitors ranged from 12 to 92 years old!

Can you let someone who may never have been involved in clay target shooting, help to understand what it involves.  What do you do at a local level to become involved?

Clay Target Shooting involves shooting a target from a shot gun thrown from a trap that oscillates and the shooter has no idea which direction the target is going. The target is travelling at approximately 64 kilometres an hour.

At local level it involves turning up at a local Club, express interest and someone will assist you.

Where to from here? What are your long term aspirations?
Harry – to take shooting as far as I possibly can and to represent Victoria. Tom – to shoot 50/50 and improve my grade.

Where is your next competition?
Our next competitions are local in preparation for the Victorian State Championships in November in Echuca.

Is your school supportive of your training/ competition? Do you do any events that are through your school or is it only from your club?

Monivae College conducts Clay Target Shooting as part of their extra-curricular activities in Term Three. We compete in 4 School Competitions during this time.

Does competition go all year round?
Yes, you could compete nearly every day of the week if you wanted to.

Do you think living in the country helped or made it harder to become good at your sport?
Being in the country you get to shoot in a lot of different local competitions in different places against a wide variety of shooters.

If you could give one bit of advice to someone who wants to get involved in clay target, what would it be?
Push yourself as hard as you can, do your best and enjoy it.

Who are you heroes?
Harry – Russel Mark, Phil Grainger and Bill Isles.
Tom – Alan Pollack, Roger Duthie, Gavin Height and Sandy Ellis.

Is there someone in your sport that you particularly want to emulate?
Harry – Darryn Nichols
Tom – Alan Pollack

What are your long term goals?
Harry – To represent Australia
Tom – to get into a Victorian team.

Is there anyone you would like to Thank or mention that has made a difference to your sporting career?

We would like to thank our Parents for supporting and encouraging us through our Shooting journey.

Thank you so much for your time! We look forward to following your progress!

Caytlyn Sharp

Age: 16

Hi Caytlyn, So today I’d like to ask you a little about yourself, your sporting journey, your hopes and your plans for the future.

At just age 14 you won the World Championship in High Jump for your Para Classification,T/F20.

Can you tell us a little about what that meant to you?

Winning the Championship was cool, The only coaching I had was at Camperdown Little Athletics, it was special to compete against much older athletes that had been training their whole life to win.

To stand up on the medal Dais with My Australian Flag and to hear the National Anthem play, so far away from home was cool.

It was also different to get to compete against only Intellectually Disabled Athletes, as usually its against every type of Disability.

What are you hoping to achieve in the next 6 months?

I find out this week if I have made the INAS Global Games in Brisbane.

I am one of only two world INAS #WeareSport ambassadors and would love to get to compete in the games and show people that Women and Girls with a disability can achieve a lot through Sport.

I also am heading to Darwin for the Arafura International Games in two weeks, where I hope to try to break my Australian Under 18 Long Jump record again.

I just need to remember to hit the board and keep my head up high.

Do you have any hopes and dreams?

I want to better my results to one day make an Athletics Australia World Para Team.

So how did you get started in Athletics?

I started with Camperdown Little Athletics Club as an under 9. I competed able bodied. I hated it

My mum used to have to lift me screaming into the car each week, but at the end of the season I won an medal for improvement and the next year I just wanted to go back and get more medal, as I got older I just liked the feeling that athletics gave me, it made me feel happy, safe and free.

What was your first major National Competition?

I didn’t know about Multi Class athletics until a lady from SSV told us about a pathway for me at the Regional Cross Country.

I made the State team, and then made the national team that competed in Melbourne at Albert Park. (I never knew we would almost be there all the time one day.)

Some of the people I met at that event have gone on to represent Australia and the World.

Two of my Team mates are now Australian Para Basketballers and Jaryd Clifford is a Rio Paralympian Middle and Long Distance runner!

What is your favorite thing about Athletics or Sport in General?

I like showing other people with a Disability that you can do it, that just because people think you cannot do something, it doesn’t mean that with help Support that you really can do it. I also like getting to see Australia and compete in new places, I used to be really scared of going to new places, but now It means I get to make new friends and see different things.

Thank you so much for your time! And Good Luck