The Illawarra's top junior girls hockey players will be shooting for gold later this month at the Australian Under 15 Field Hockey Championships.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lucy Nash and Lilly Twigg will represent the top NSW team, while Madison Agnew will feature for the NSW Blues at the competition in Narellan.
Both Nash and Twigg previously represented NSW under 13s at the 2018 field and 2019 indoor championships throughout the past year.
Despite her experience representing NSW, Nash said she was still elated and shocked to be picked for the under 15 field team.
"It was amazing to be selected for NSW," Nash said. "I was nearly crying, I was so excited. I am also a little nervous.
"I'm excited to play with a new team and being one of the younger players, it will be a new experience.
"It's really good having Lilly in the team, she was also in my team in Hobart for under 13 nationals last year. Madison should also go well, she's been in my Illawarra teams for the last couple of years and she's very strong."
At 13-years-old, both Nash and Twigg are among NSW's youngest. For Nash, this presents its challenges, with many of her rivals bigger and stronger than her.
She's confident, however, she possesses the skills to match it with her bigger opponents.
"The other girls are a lot bigger than me, but my NSW teammates have been really nice and encouraging.
"It can be challenging playing girls bigger than me, I just have to be a lot stronger on the ball."
Nash said the ultimate goal is to take out the gold medal at the competition, however she's also looking forward to developing friendships, having fun and improving her skills as a player.
"I'm hoping to improve as a player and work well with my teammates and then obviously also to win gold.
"I love meeting new people and playing as a team, it's nice to know people are there for you, so I'm looking forward to getting to know my teammates better.
"They're all really nice and it's been really good to hang out with them."
While you're with us the Illawarra is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3.00 a week. Terms and conditions apply.
Cameron Mee
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
Sports reporter at the Canberra Times
