Tornadoes represent nation, credit junior program

THREE Torquay Tornadoes are still feeling the excitement of representing their countries on a recent visit to Jakarta, Indonesia last month.

Under 21 hockey athletes Jaydan Schram and Olivia Jenkins (both from Torquay), and Jet Mitchell, were selected to the Australian Under 21 Country squad following last year’s Hockey Australia Country Challenge in Albany.

While in Indonesia, the players took on the Indonesian national team and an array of regional teams.

Jenkins said it was surreal to represent the country on an international stage.

“It’s still a bit unreal to say out loud, to be honest.

“It was a really great experience, and it was the first time I had ever played international hockey. It was really fun.”

Jenkins first fell in love with hockey 10 years ago when she was invited to the Hooked in2 Hockey program at Torquay, the same program Schram was a part of.

She believed it could provide similar opportunities to youngsters keen to learn the game and perhaps thinking of joining a new club.

“I’ve been coaching the program for a couple years now and basically the program goes to various schools in a bit of a ‘roadshow’-like format,” Jenkins said.

“It provides the perfect introduction to the game, explaining all the basic fundamentals needed to get the ball rolling.

“Things like travelling with the ball, trapping and pushing, and then putting it into practice through really simple yet very fun drills. An example being ‘octopus’, which we call ‘hoctopus’.”

While wearing the green and gold was a tremendous experience for the 20-year-old, the focus moving forward will remain the same, as she splits her time between the Tornadoes and representative side Geelong Sharks.

“I’m just trying to continue loving and enjoying the game, it’s been really great for me socially and I’ve gotten a lot of joy out of playing,” Jenkins said.

“It was a terrific tool for my mental health during and after COVID-19 and while it was great to represent Australia and I look forward to doing it again, I’m not stressing myself out about what’s next, I’m just going to enjoy myself.”

Torquay’s Hooked in2 Hockey program recently resumed again on February 15, but there are still spots available.

Register for the program at hockey.org.au/plahy/hookin2hockey or contact president Andrew Crowley at [email protected]