Melton women’s hockey team is benefiting from a more professional approach, with the club’s Vic League 2 side right in the finals mix.
After narrowly missing finals last season, coaches David Gorton and Ron Shadbolt decided to start preseason for the women’s teams in December.
“We decided to have two coaches for the sides to try and replicate what happens at a more professional level, where they have more than one coach,” Gorton said.
“We did three months of fitness training and then started preparing for the season on the pitch.
“This season we’ve been video-analysing and fitness-testing for the first time, and we have a bank of data that recognises our strengths and weaknesses.”
Gorton said the players had taken on the increased professionalism as a challenge.
“The training numbers are up and we have a third team for the first time this year.
“We use to train two nights a week, but not everyone would come to every session.
“They are now, and people are competing for spots.”
Gorton said the increased training was showing in both the senior and reserves sides.
“Last year we just missed finals, but we are definitely aiming at them this year.
“We’re ahead in goals scored and have had fewer goals conceded compared to last year.
“The reserves side is a world apart from last year when it took them halfway through the season to get any points.”
Gorton said most players had improved from last season.
“Sarah Gorton is our highest goal-scorer this year and Laura Brown has made a big difference,” he said.
“Melanie Lake, who has been at the club from junior level, is the person who binds the team together. She’s been able to get consecutive games on the park, which helps us gel together.”
The Mustangs lost their most recent match to MHSOB 1-0 and are third on the ladder.
“We had never played them before and, despite the loss, it’s the best we’ve played all season,” Gorton said.
“We made one mistake for the game and it cost us a goal … we couldn’t get the finish we needed.”
The Mustangs Vic League 3 men’s side had a 1-0 loss to RMIT on Sunday.
