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Subscriber only LIKE players rising up the representative ranks, umpires have to continue learning and adjust to different situations. That s exactly what Ipswich hockey duo Hayden Michel and Natalie Walker achieved at the latest Australian under-15 championships in Bathurst. Michel, 21, officiated in the boys bronze medal match won by Victoria over Western Australian Gold. As a dual registered Ipswich and Brisbane competition player and Australian indoor hockey representative, Michel offered an honest insight into his latest challenge. I had a rough start, said Michel, who plays for Hancock Brothers in the Ipswich competition. I had a banger third match and then just got consistent from there.
Friday (Field, Time, Umpires, Tech Bench) -
A2 Grade: Northern Strikers v Swifts, 1, 7pm, H Hocking/M Eleison, E Klepzig; Hancock Brothers v Wests 2, 8.30pm, H Hocking/S Hudson, R Chandler
Saturday: R2 Grade - Easts Black v Easts Gold, 1, 1pm, S Brown/B Kinnane, T Doyle; Bellbowrie v Wests, 1, 2.30pm, B Kinnane/S Hudson, T Doyle; Hancock Brothers v Norths, 2, 4pm, H Hocking/S Hudson, E Klepzig.
Reserve: Wests v Easts, 1, 4pm, N Walker/B McManus, L Haley/M Eleison.
A Grade: Wests v Easts, 1, 7pm, H Michel/R Arthur, J Walker/E Klepzig.
Sunday: J2 Grade - Hancock Brothers v Norths, 1, 10am, T McPeake/A Wells, L Haley; Easts Black v Easts Gold, 3, 10am, K Roberts/A Meloury.
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Subscriber only IT S just as well Ipswich s everywhere player, coach and captain Sara Rogers is so fit and focused. Her impressive time management skills will be tested even further in three competitions and as a Queensland head coach this season. Rogers has mentored the Hancocks men and captained the Hancocks women in recent seasons along with her Brisbane competition (Ascot) and other representative commitments. She s added three more roles to her incredible list. Rogers is going to coach the Hancocks women as well as the men in the Ipswich competition starting on Friday night. The Hancocks men open the new season against Wests in a 7pm encounter at the Ipswich Hockey Complex.
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Subscriber only CONFIDENCE playing Ipswich hockey this season is growing with a healthy number of teams returning and clubs combining forces to strengthen the 2021 competition. They seem to have bounced back, Ipswich Hockey secretary Margret Mantell said of teams confirmed for the new season starting on March 12. I think there are some players who are still a little bit hesitant because there s still a bit of COVID around. They are concerned they will pay their money and then it has to shut down again. But if we get through the next couple of weeks and nothing happens COVID-wise, we might even pick up a few more numbers.
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Subscriber only IN an Olympic year and with two national players back coaching, Paul Malcolm sees an exciting year ahead for Easts Hockey Club. After weathering last year s COVID storm without losing many players, Malcolm was confident the Tigers would field competitive teams across the Ipswich competition grades this season. Having two players with international experience return to the A-Grade coaching ranks is a massive boost. Former Australian Country teammates Chris Fazel and Chris Mantell are guiding the Tigers top men s and women s sides respectively in the 2021 Ipswich competition starting March 12. Defence force sportsman Fazel has come back from Townsville, having played for Easts some years ago.