Almost a dozen Orange Women’s Hockey Association stars have been named in the 2017 NSW masters squads for the national championships at Newcastle later this year.
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Following bumper performances at last weekend’s state trials 10 of the colour city’s best were named, Orange has representation in all of NSW’s squads from over 35s up to over 65s.
Australian representative and Ex-Services ace Leanne Kennewell headlines the 35s group, she’s joined by Canobolas’ Tamara Keegan while Confederates’ Belinda Lewis is a shadow.
Former Orange guns Naomi Sparks and Melissa Mendham both made the 40s squad, with Feds’ Belinda Ferguson a shadow there while Mary-Ellen Betts and Karin Horan are shadows for the 45s and 50s squads, respectively.
NSW mainstays Deb Orrock and Kerrie Wood have once again been named in the 60s and 65s squads, respectively.
“It’s great to see so many from Orange making these sides,” Kennewell said.
“Orange has always had a lot of really talented players, plenty didn’t try out when they probably should have in the past though.
“I think there was maybe a bit of an ‘oh I won’t make that side so I won’t bother trying out’ mentality, when really so many players would make it.
“We convinced a few more this year and I think the training sessions we had in Orange, we invited potential players from all over the region and had a few from Sydney come, really helped convince a few more to go to the trials as well.”
On a personal front, it’s Kennewell’s second year in the masters division and to once again be named in the NSW squad is a big milestone.
“I’m very proud,” Kennewell enthused.
“Probably more so this year being that it’s in Newcastle, so there’s a little bit more to play for on our home turf.”
It’s great to see so many from Orange making these sides.
- NSW star Leanne Kennewell
Kennewell’s NSW side finished fourth of five last year. The sky blues performed well throughout the competition, but could only manage one win and a handful of draws.
“We’ll look to build on that performance this year, there’s something like eight new players so it’s a pretty fresh squad,” she said.
Donning green and gold again is a massive goal, Kennewell said, after earning a taste of international hockey in 2016.
“Definitely, I want to be in that Australian side again,” she fired.
“I probably didn’t play as much as I would normally, but being an Australian side with a lot of talent and no weak links any game time you get is great.
“I think I’ll really need to step it up a bit this year though, I’ve got a feeling it might be even tougher this year.”
The Hockey Australia Women’s Masters Championships will be held at Newcastle from September 29 until October 7.
A number of other central west stars have also been named, among them the likes of Parkes’ Denise Gersbach, Amy Thornberry and Marcia Scally and Bathurst’s Lisa Quinn.