Jane Thompson has officially been in the head coach’s role at Dubbo Blue Jays for just a couple of weeks but she’s already creating a positive atmosphere within the side.
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The side’s previous coach, Simon Allen, had to depart due to the need to be playing for the struggling Dubbo Lions each week and Thompson, who has been heavily involved in hockey for years, stepped up.
Since taking on the top role, Thompson has been putting a real emphasis on the attitude of her side as much as the gameplay.
“I’d been around the side and had seen what was happening but for a few weeks now the focus has been on mental discipline and playing for the full 70 minutes,” she said.
“We’ve had to goal of locking in that first 10 minutes, building from there and then going on right through for the full 70.”
This weekend Thompson and the last-placed Blue Jays make the trip to Bathurst to take on Souths.
The two sides met once earlier this season and it was the Bathurst side who ran out convincing 6-1 winners.
But with Thompson now at the helm and the likes of Amy Davies and reigning Premier League Hockey (PLH) player of the year Alex Waters returning to the side, things are looking far more positive.
Unfortunately, Waters will miss the match but Thompson is still confident her side has what it takes to finally break through and score their first win of the season.
“We’ve got the ability and the mindset to match it with any team in the competition and we’re capable of achieving anything,” she said.
Sammy Lincoln will again be key in goals having impressed so far this season while youngster Courtney Hogan will again be required to carry much of the load at centre back.
While goals have been an issue for the side this season, Thompson has complete faith in junior representative striker Phoebe Bloink Hollier.
For Souths, the match is another step towards what they hope will be a finals berth.
They are just four points outside the top five and having scored 23 goals this season compared to the Blue Jays’ paltry total of eight, will start the match at home as favourites.
“We should go into it thinking that we are going to win, as long as we are not over confident we should do it,” Souths’ coach Adrian Cox said.
“The girls know they need to keep winning, every game is a must win.”
The match begins at 1.50pm at Bathurst’s Bob Roach Fields on Saturday.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
