Hockey New England’s opens women’s team were one step away from a grand final at the state championships on the long weekend.
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The Armidale team bowed out in the semifinals after a 3-1 loss to eventual winners Central Coast. Coach Mark Low said the team held their own against some big hockey centres in NSW.
“They played really well together as an outfit,” he said.
“There were no standout individuals there.
“Everyone really dug deep for each other and played really well across the park, especially coming into the last games where we had a few injuries and were a bit short.”
For one of the smallest population bases to choose from, Low said his side made their mark on the rest of the competition.
“New England is definitely punching above its weight,” he said.
“I took the under 18 girls away the week before last and they made the semifinals as well so to take two teams away like that and for little, old Armidale to make the top four is a really pleasing result.”
From their performances in Sydney, three New England girls, Talia Constance, Brittany Parker and Sarah Parker, were chosen to represent Country NSW when the team was announced on Wednesday.
“We were fortunate enough to get three of our girls nominated in that,” Low said.
“Sarah has been there before, Brittany has been there before, Sarah just came back from Australia Country tour and Talia was previously in the under 18s state team.
“To get three girls names out of the New England team is a really big deal.”