In a massive feat for Parkes and its hockey fraternity – two of the town’s hockey veterans have been selected in the inaugural Australian Masters Indoor Hockey teams to compete at the Indoor Masters World Cup in Hong Kong in February.
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Goal keeper Lee Hodge and Denise Gersbach were selected in the women’s Over 40s and Over 45s sides respectively following the inaugural Hockey Australia Indoor Masters Challenge in Goulburn on December 14-16.
Players from NSW, Queensland, ACT and Victoria were represented across the Over 40s, Over 50s and Over 60s divisions.
Parkes entered a team in the Over 40s and won the silver medal.
From this tournament Hockey Australia announced its Australian teams to head to the world cup in the Over 40s, 45s and 50s women's age groups and the Over 40s and 50s men's age groups.
On top of this, just last week Gersbach received the exciting news she was named team leader of the women’s 45s, joining teammate Karen Seaman at the helm.
Both Gersbach and Hodge have only ever played indoor hockey at state level, and both are still pinching themselves at their national selection.
“I still can't believe it actually,” Gersbach said.
“I am thrilled to have been selected in two Australian sides this year - I was selected in the Over 45s team to compete in the Trans Tasman Challenge in May on the Gold Coast and now the Over 45s Australian Indoor Team.”
Indoor hockey is a relatively new sport to Parkes, with Gersbach only starting to play in 2009 when the town sent its first masters team to the NSW state championships.
“However, I have been playing field hockey since I was five years old,” she said.
“I find indoor hockey much tougher on the body than field hockey, playing indoors in extreme heat is a challenge as we play our championships in the summer months.
“I love indoor hockey as you are always involved in every play both defensively and in attack. I love the technicality and structure of indoor hockey.”
Hodge has been playing indoor hockey for seven years.
“As a keeper in outdoor hockey you may not see much of the play in your circle, where as in indoor hockey, due to the smaller playing area, the use of the side boards and the smaller number of players, you are constantly called upon and are involved in setting up attacking moves as much as you are involved in stopping shots on goal,” she said.
“Every player on the court in indoor is involved in attack and defense and the game moves from end to end much quicker than field hockey so you really don't have any 'down time', you always have to be 'on' and ready to change from attacking mode into defensive mode or vice versa.”
The duo has plans to be the best they can be come February.
“I would love to come away with a gold medal but ultimately I would just like to be a valuable team member and play my best hockey,” Gersbach said.
“As we don't have a regular indoor competition here in Parkes my aim is just to get as much playing time as I can under my belt and soak up as much knowledge from the coaching staff, my team mates and the opposition as possible,” Hodge said.
Gersbach and Hodge head to Hong Kong to play from February 14-17.
Once the world cup is over, there won’t be too much respite for the international reps.
Gersbach intends on continuing her training program in preparation for the Trans Tasman Challenge in May upon her return home.
“I also look forward to continue to develop the talented junior players in my local Rovers Hockey Club,” she said.
While Hodge is looking to preparing herself for the upcoming field hockey season.
“[I have] an aim to play for Parkes at the state championships in Bathurst and trial for NSW to compete at nationals on the Gold Coast later in the year,” she said.
Gersbach and Hodge would like to say some thank yous to those who have helped them get to where they are today in their hockey.
“I would like to recognise the contribution that David Mike has had to the development of masters indoor hockey in Parkes,” Gersbach said.
“David is a state and Australian level coach and has been coaching our Parkes indoor team since 2010.
“He has been invaluable in my development as an indoor hockey player. He regularly visits Parkes to train us and run coaching sessions.
“David will also be attending the world cup in Hong Kong as the Over 40s coach.
“I am extremely excited to be sharing this world cup experience with Lee Hodge who earned a well-deserved spot as goal keeper in the Over 40s team.”
Hodge would like to thank her fellow Parkes players.
“[Those] who have trained and played through some of the hottest conditions, year-in and year-out so that we have been able to field sides at the state championships and this year at the National Masters Indoor Challenge,” she said.
“But especially to Denise Gersbach and Dave Mike, as without their drive and commitment we wouldn't be among the top teams in the country and I certainly wouldn't have this fantastic opportunity.
“I would also like to thank my employer, Linda Reilly, for her support and encouragement, and allowing me time to pursue my hockey.”
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