The Orange native, who has become a prominent figure in the Hockeyroos, is good friends with Regional Coaching Director for Western Region Kate Pulbrook.

Kate was holding the clinic and when Edwina heard about it, she could not resist getting involved.

“I told Ed I was heading to Parkes and she asked if she could get involved,” Kate said.

“She had one of those rare opportunities for her when she was at home in Orange and had no commitments.

“We like to utilise high profile players as much as we can so the kids can meet them, ask them questions and realise our top athletes can be players from this region as we have many in the Australian squad at the moment,” she said.

The day was part of the Centre of Development (COD) program.

It is open to all Hockey NSW registered players and is designed to improve their basic skills, game play, give them something in the ‘off season’ and make sure they have fun doing it.

“Hockey NSW holds four home sessions for the players in the COD program, and this was one of them,” Kate said.

“They also have five regional sessions where they meet at a regional location with all the other players in the program which includes 110 total in the western region.

“The session in Parkes was great. 

“The players were able to meet Edwina, ask questions learn from her and show her all the skills they have been learning over the last few months. 

“It was also great to have so many other Parkes talented players there including Niamh Dixon, Jack Elliott, Matthew Job and Parkes Hockey Junior Coordinator, and still a pretty handy player, Laurie Wakefield,” she said.