AS EMMA Corcoran prepares to wear her country’s colours next month, another of Dubbo’s most talented hockey products believes there’s no reason the 16-year-old star can make it to the very top of the sport.
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Samuel Mould has spent the past two years acting as a mentor for Corcoran, helping her train and passing on advice whenever he returns to Dubbo and the former French National League player is backing the prodigious talent to fire at the upcoming Oceania Pacific Cup in Fiji.
Corcoran recently received a call-up to the Australian Country under-21s side which will contest the tournament despite being five years younger than some members of the team and having not even played for the NSW Country under-21s side.
But after some of the original squad pulled out the national Country coach had no hesitation in calling up the precociously talented St John’s student for the International Hockey Federation (FIH) recognised competition.
“I think she can go on and make the national side,” Mould said of Corcoran.
“She’s got good family support and that’s great and obviously a big thing but with her skill, talent and attitude I can see her going all the way to the top, to be in this Australian Country side at such a young age is incredible.”
Mould is a good a judge as any after playing for the Australian Country under-21s at the Oceania Pacific Cup in 2010.
Since then he has played first grade in Sydney as well as having the incredible experience of playing for Lille in the premiers French competition and while back in Dubbo recently he took the time to pass on some more advice to Corcoran.
“Being young and not knowing what to expect I think she was a little bit worried so I was just reassuring her and telling her to have confidence,” he said.
“I gave her a bit of info about the tournament too because the weather and country are different and it’s going to be quite hot and humid.
“But she’s quite mature and has a good hockey brain, being 16 in an under-21s team is a big step, especially with Australia on your shirt for the first time.
“I think she’ll do well, I’ve seen her play and I know a few of the other girls in the team so skills-wise she’ll fit in.”
The call-up to the Australian team caps off a stellar 2014 for Corcoran which including standout displays at state and national championships while next year she will travel to Europe as part of the Australian All Schools side.
Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Papua New Guinea and the New Zealand President’s team will join Australian Country in the Oceania Pacific Cup, which runs from December 6-13.