Western Australia’s 2018 State Country Coaches are aiming to put regional hockey back on the map.
Hockey WA has announced that former State Country star Tenille Harrington has now been appointed to lead the team at this year’s National Championships as the 2018 women’s head coach.
Bunbury man Cory Letts, who took charge of Men’s side last year, will also reprise his role as coach.
Reflecting on her recent appointment, Tenille who is from Kulin in WA’s Wheatbelt region, said that although injuries had forced her out of playing, she was still keen to help develop the next generation of country athletes.
“There’s lots of talented country girls and that’s something that needs to be brought to people’s attention,” she said.
“I’m keen to get WA back up there for sure. I hope to bring a very positive approach and make sure the girls have fun off the field as well as making sure that competitiveness is there.
“That is the hardest thing and obviously you have got to do it quickly make sure everybody understands the game plan, as that’s where you’ll break down on the field, but off the field you have to make sure everyone gets on as well.
After leading Western Australia to a fifth place finish during his first time at the helm last year, Letts said he was keen to continue to engage, develop and encourage the State’s young athletes.
“It was a really rewarding experience. We had a really young side last year but it was really rewarding to see the improvement in the young guys and watch them gel together,” he said.
“I think about five or six of them made the Australian team off the back of it so that was really good. Their improvement from the first game to the last game was massive.
“We didn’t quite get the results we wanted, we drew a few we had to win to make the crossovers which was a bit disappointing but this year the guys will be a bit older and stronger and hopefully we can be a little bit better.”
The Country Men’s and Women’s Australian Championships will take place in Berri, South Australia, running from Friday, August 3 to 11.
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