Future hockey stars rub shoulders with Olympians

FUTURE stars were able to rub shoulders with Olympians in a Tweed team packed with talent at the Hockey Queensland State Championships.

The open women’s team was coached by Hockeyroos player Kalindi Commerford with former Tweed teammate Madison Fitzpatrick playing in the side.

Commerford has been sidelined with a concussion injury and has coached the team for the last two years.

She lived with Madison and her older sister Savannah Fitzpatrick in Perth when the trio played for the Hockeyroos together.

“We had two Olympians, national development players, state reps and some junior Tweed players in the team,” Commerford said.

“It was great to coach the younger players and see how they performed with that depth of experience we had on the field.

“I try and create an environment where everyone enjoys it and gets to play their style of hockey.

“We were a bit unlucky in the semi-final; the rain affected the way we play with our short passing game.

“I don’t think it took away from the experience and I’m really happy with how it went.”

Commerford was impressed by the performance of Alana Albertini, Grace Crimson and Kendra Fitzpatrick.

She said the youngest Fitzpatrick sister is in the national development squad and has a bright future in the sport.

“Kendra has a long defensive reach and tackle and adds to that with some really quick hands,” Commerford said.

“She is so creative and can shoot and score from the midfield, which is rare. I think the national team would be lucky to have her.

“It was also great to see Grace grow in confidence throughout the tournament.

“The craft in her passes and ability to think outside the box was really impressive.”

The team was managed by Margie Coleman, who has been instrumental in hockey on Tweed.

She is the mother of the Fitzpatrick sisters and has helped oversee the growth of the Casuarina Hockey Club.

“She has unmatched passion for the game and it’s so great to have people like her on board,” Commerford said.

“Tweed is impressive as a regional development and it’s important we don’t lose visibility in these areas.

“There is a lot of competition with the rise of other women’s sports, and it helps when you have quality players return to their local associations.