Eight of Parkes Hockey stars have been named in the 2017 NSW masters squads for the national championships at Newcastle and Hobart later this year.
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Following bumper performances at the state championships and selection trials last month, four Parkes women and four Parkes men have been named in the over 35s, over 40s, over 45s and over 65s NSW squads.
Parkes also had four players named as shadow players.
Amy Thornberry will step up for her third national titles in the women’s over 35s, playing as goalkeeper, while Janelle Thompson is a shadow.
Aaron Huppatz will be making his debut for NSW in the men’s over 40s, playing in the mid-field.
But Huppatz is no stranger to state selection entirely after having played for NSW all through the junior ranks.
Also in the men’s over 40s, and who’s been chosen as vice captain, is mid-fielder Ian Westcott, preparing for his fifth titles.
Darryn Tanswell and Trent Thomson have been named shadow players for the men’s over 40s.
While striker Jane Mattiske is gearing up for her second year playing for NSW in the women’s over 40s.
This shows how hard all these players continue to work to maintain levels of fitness.
- Parkes Hockey president Aaron Huppatz
Denise Gersbach, also a striker, has clocked up 10 impressive years playing for NSW and will this year be the women’s over 45s leadership team’s captain.
Mandy Westcott is a shadow for the women’s over 45s.
Matt Searl will make his fourth appearance for NSW, as a mid-fielder with the men’s over 45s, while striker and vice captain for the same side, Laurie Wakefield prepares for his second representation.
And Parkes hockey veteran Maureen Massey will proudly represent the town and the state for the eighth year as a goal keeper in the women’s over 65s.
The Hockey Australia Women’s Masters Championships will be held at Newcastle and the Men’s Masters Championships in Hobart in September-October.
Parkes Hockey president, Huppatz, is thrilled with the Parkes representation in the NSW teams.
“This is a fantastic achievement for our country association and shows how hard all these players continue to work to maintain levels of fitness to compete at national championships,” he said.
“And the best thing is these players are active coaches of our juniors.
“It’s a good reward for them.
“Some players also still play in the Premier League competition.”
Massey, Gersbach and Searl are all current Australian Masters representative players and are hoping to bring recent International tournament experience back to their respective state sides.
“Us women are really excited because it’s the first time in 10 years that NSW has hosted nationals,” Gersbach said.
Huppatz believed that this year’s state trials was one of its biggest because it’s a home state nationals.
