MADDIE Drewitt and Teleah Walker will look to continue their indoor hockey success after being selected in the NSW under-13 girls side for the state titles.
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Their selection for the Blues comes after strong performances in Orange in November where Port Macquarie claimed their first division two title.
Drewitt starred up front, scoring 10 goals in the tournament while Walker proved difficult to pass in goals.
Port Macquarie representative coach Col Pursehouse was not surprised by the talented duo’s selections.
“Maddy was picked in the under-13 outdoor team this year and Teleah made it into the squad, but didn’t make it into the team so to make the indoor state team is well deserved,” he said.
Pursehouse has coached both girls for the last three years on the local representative scene and said they would bring a strong level of commitment to the state team.
“They put in all the hard work themselves and have that willingness to have a really good go,” he said.
“They’re both great kids who have a great attitude and just love the sport.”
Walker is an energetic goalkeeper who looks to own her defensive part of the field.
Teleah is quite happy to move out of her goals, attack the opposition and own her circle.
- Colin Pursehouse
“She is quite happy to move out of her goals, attack the opposition and own her circle,” Pursehouse said.
“She takes ownership of that and tries to stop everything she can; she doesn’t sit back and wait for things to come to her; she’s willing to go out and get it.”
The fast-paced nature of indoor hockey means Walker will be called into action on many occasions throughout a match.
Drewitt’s fitness and ability to slot in anywhere on the field makes them both valuable assets to the team.
“Indoor hockey is really fast-paced and you have small sided games,” Pursehouse said.
“It’s a higher scoring game; in outdoor hockey you might have wins of two or three or four goals, but in indoor you can have games with 8-12 goals.
“It requires a lot of tactics and set plays.”
Drewitt will fly the flag for Tacking Point Thunder in the team where she is expected to be one of the two attacking players.
“Maddie plays anywhere you put her,” Pursehouse said.
Maddie will probably play as a striker most of the time, although she might get to play in the middle occasionally.
- Colin Pursehouse
“But she will probably play as a striker most of the time, although she might get to play in the middle occasionally.
“You generally only have two strikers, one midfielder and two defenders a lot of the time.”
Walker plays for Camden Haven locally.
Pursehouse said there were high hopes for a strong tournament from New South Wales.
“They look like they have a strong team which is different to previous years when it hasn’t been the case,” he said.
“The girls are at that age now where they have a bit more experience and size about them so they should be strong especially on their home ground.”
The indoor state championships will be played at Goulburn in February.
