SWAS 2023: National stage beckons for young hockey champions

The South West Academy of Sport’s proud track record for producing top-level hockey players has continued, with another batch of quality athletes being called up to represent Western Australia on the national stage.

SWAS athletes Luke Blee, Toby Blee, Caleb Bray, Sienna Ramshaw and Milly McLaurin have been selected to wear the black and gold colours of WA at the upcoming Hockey Australia Under-18 National Championships.

SWAS alumni athletes Blake Murdoch and Charlie Johnston will also compete at the tournament taking place in Hobart from July 1 to 9. Current SWAS athlete Ruby Williams was selected to train-on.

Held annually, the national championships are a crucial part of the hockey pathways program and feature the best hockey talent at the respective age levels.

Goalkeepers Austin Northrop and Isabella Duff, who have benefited from specialist coaching from Wally Foreman Coach of the Year Keith Old, will head to Adelaide in August. They will defend WA as part of the 16-and-under sides that contest the School Sport Australia Hockey Championships.

SWAS hockey head coach Nicole Arrold, a former Australian hockey player and Hockeyroos assistant coach who now mentors academy athletes, said gaining selection to a State team was a significant step up for the young sportsmen and women.

“These athletes have been in a pre-season type phase with the SWAS program since January, when they worked hard on their fitness, “ Arrold said.

“The SWAS skills training program, combined with the work they do with their clubs, has prepared them well for these trials.

“It’s challenging for country athletes to travel to Perth for trials. They don’t know many other athletes at trials, so to build that connection with players and show that they’re capable is a significant challenge for them.”