Hockey: Melton’s juniors ready to hit centre stage

Five of Melton’s brightest young hockey stars are preparing to take centre stage at the coming Victorian championships.

Chloe Schwarze, Abbey Knight, Zali Ward, Amy Schwarze and Lucas Knipe have been selected to represent the North West Tigers later this month.

They will take on nine other representative regions in the state, with the lure of a dual prize on the line.

Not only will the Tigers be vying for the title of Victorian champions; the best players in the tournament will be selected in the state team for the national titles.

Melton Hockey Club president Ron Shadbolt says it’s great for the club to be represented by some of its best juniors.

“We’ve consistently got a few players selected in these teams,” he said.

“It’s a great stepping stone [to the state team] and it gives them the world of confidence. They get some really good coaching and every time they come back to the club, they return very confident players.”

The promising junior results follow on from what has already been an exciting 2015 for the Mustangs.

With the club’s long-term plan for success centred on building through the juniors, Shadbolt said the selections for the Tigers were a big tick for the club’s junior programs.

Melton is looking to further build its junior program and has launched a new competition for local players.

For more information, call the club on 0450 643 826 or, by email, contact@meltonhc@org.au.