Five players from the ADF men’s and women’s hockey teams have been selected in Australian Country teams for the Arafura Games in Darwin from May 12-19 next year.
Those whose selection resulted from good performances at the recent Australian Country Hockey Championships in Bendigo were CAPT Glenn Miller (1 Avn regt), MIDN Christie Underwood (ADFA), SGT Phil Southern (ALTC), LS Talei Tuilawa (HMAS Larrakia); and PTE Tristan Hunt (APA Sydney).
“These selections are a public acknowledgment of the strength and depth of ADF hockey and that key players from the ADF teams can be recognised for their elite skill and performance during the country championships,” ADF Hockey’s public relations manager, LEUT Stuart Cayzer said.
‘Several other players were extremely unlucky not to be selected after very strong performances during the week’
– LEUT Stuart Cayzer
SGT Southern reached a significant milestone in playing his 50th representative match for the ADF hockey team at the titles, having first been selected n 1998 and has been in the ADF squad every year since.
In his long representative career, 2001 was the only year in which he was unable to represent ADF Hockey. He has played matches at the Australian Country Hockey Championships all around Australia, ARAFURA Games in Darwin and in England as part of the 2005 the ADF hockey tour of Britain.
“Phil typifies ADF hockey at this level – skilful, and passionate about the team’s success,” ADF coach, LEUT Andrew Bewick said.
ADF Hockey, which presented SGT Southern with a photograph to mark the occasion, believes this is the first time that this feat has been achieved in its men’s ranks for a considerable time.
ADF Hockey is calling for nominations for the management positions for all ADF hockey teams – men’s and women’s.
Positions to be filled are: ADF men’s and women’s coaches; men’s and women’s assistant coach; ADF squad tour manager; ADF squad assistant tour manager, men’s and women’s team manager; medical support personnel (physiotherapist /strapper).
Successful applicants will take up duties immediately and will be expected to fill the roles for two years.
ADF Hockey teams tour within Australia and internationally and successful applicants are expected to be available for all tours during their tenancy. An in-depth level of knowledge or elite level of participation in hockey is not required for all positions but could be beneficial.
Resumes should be sent to ADF Hockey Secretary LTCOL Brenda Sharp by COB on December 1.
