A group of young underwater hockey players converged on Bunbury for the chance to represent their country.
Forty Under 19 athletes from around Australia came together last week for three days of trials.
The three-day camp determined the final selections for this year’s Junior Trans-Tasman Championships in Rotorua, New Zealand from October 7 to 13.
Out of the 40 athletes, 12 to 14 boys and as many girls were picked to play in the tournament.
The athletes underwent a series of tests including swim sets and scratch matches.
Put through their paces, participants were examined based on fitness, skills, and swimming style.
Underwater Hockey Australia manager and WA Underwater Hockey president Clayton Jendrzejak said the trials tested the players’ resolve.
“It is important that we keep Australian underwater hockey going,” he said.
“As the kids start moving up, the next generation will need to come forward. Playing against the Kiwis makes for a great opportunity to have that happen.”
The program teaches each athlete about the Australian teams’ style of play, Jendrzejak said.
“It’s about getting them ready for the international stage,” he said.
“At the Australian level, we’ve got a very specific way we play underwater hockey.”
The chosen athletes will undergo a rigorous training schedule ahead of October’s event.
During the championships, the Australian and New Zealand teams will take part in a round robin event and a finals series.
After the Trans-Tasman Championship, Underwater Hockey Australia will focus on next year’s World Age Group Championship in Sheffield, England.
Jendrzejak was pleased to see athletes from Bunbury, Busselton, Collie, and Margaret River taking part in the program.
Bunbury underwater hockey player and trial participant Blake Jendrzejak, 14, said it was an exciting sport.
“It is really a fun but complicated game and it’s kind of technical,” he said. “You learn new skills in every game.”
Trial participant and Bunbury player Caitlin Van Shalkwyk, 15, has played for four years and has already competed in two national championships.
She said people of any age can have a go.
“Come down to Bunbury Underwater Hockey,” she said. “Everyone is nice and everyone teaches you how to play.”
The Bunbury Underwater Hockey Club trains at the South West Sports Centre on Monday and Thursday from 6.30pm to 8pm.
Head to the Bunbury Underwater Hockey Facebook page for more.
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