Hockey star earns silverware

By Lachlan Ellis

A Moorabool hockey player has won the premiership with her club, capping off a fantastic year for her hockey career.

Zali Ward hails from Darley and played with the Essendon Hockey Club in the Hockey Victoria Women’s Premier League Grand Final on Saturday 17 September, with Essendon claiming a convincing 4 – 1 victory over Footscray.

The 19-year old said the win was the culmination of a hard-fought season for the team.

“I was super stoked, especially because our team deserved it. We’ve been working hard all year, we have that respect and admiration for each other, so we just felt like we got the job done,” she said.

“A couple of my friends and family from Bacchus Marsh came to watch, so it was pretty special to see them there as well. Personally, I think I just had a role to play, so hopefully I did the job…as a team, we work together so well, and it was a huge effort.”

Essendon won 16 games and dropped just 2 during the regular season, and Ms Ward said it had been fantastic being a part of such a strong and close-knit team.

“We take on every game no matter what opposition it is, we play our game and trust our process and the result takes care of itself. Playing for a club is almost like another family, you build relationships throughout the season,” she said.

“To be able to get the result together, across such a lengthy amount of time, is super satisfying. Whereas a tournament is quite a quick amount of time, and while it is exhilarating, it ends quite quickly.”

The dream is to one day play for the Hockeyroos, which Ms Ward has one foot in the door for – having already been named in the 23-woman National Development Squad in March.

“If the time comes, I would be absolutely honoured to play for my country, but I’ll keep putting in the work, so until that time comes, I’ll keep chipping away. But so far, I’m just enjoying my hockey, and trying to get better every day,” she said.