Sibling hockey players to compete together

AFTER years of representing Victoria in hockey events on the national and international stage, Lachlan Flett’s next time competing will have a familiar addition.

Competing in both the state’s under 13s and under 15s teams in the upcoming Skate Australia Inline Hockey National Championships, Lachlan will be joined by his sister Piper in her first state competition.

Lachlan, who will also be an assistant captain, said he’s looking forward to playing alongside his sibling, who’ll be competing in under 9s.

“It’s really cool she tried out and made the team as well,” he said. “It’s cool to share the experience.

“I’ve been teaching her to do things like how to move the puck and how to pass properly, how to shoot, things like that.”

Piper said she was inspired to pick up the puck after seeing the social aspect of the game through her brother’s competitions.

“I wanted to play so I could be like Lachy,” she said.

“I’ve enjoyed getting goals and celebrating afterwards. It’s been a great bonding experience. He’s been supportive.”

Both siblings will travel to Queensland later this month to compete, and are practicing every Thursday at the Lilydale Rats Inline Hockey Club, which Lachlan joined last year.

The pair’s mother Kate said Piper has been further encouraged by their hockey community.

“There’s girls who are Lachlan’s age who’ve been encouraging of Piper, as Lachy’s little sister, to play,” she said.

“We’ve been making the four-hour roundtrip from Teesdale to Lilydale and they opened their arms to both the kids.

“Piper had a few friends there and they said ‘you’re here anyway, would you like to come and play?’ She’s made some really good friends who are giving her tips as much as her brother.

“After going to the tournament last year, she watched all the bonding and all the games, she said on the way home ‘I want to start playing hockey properly and be part of the nationals next year.’

“She’s managed to achieve that.”