Thundersticks Cup provides high-level hit out

Aspiring and current female Perth Thundersticks recently competed in the Thundersticks Cup, a three-match series comprising of WAIS and Thundersticks athletes, acting as a selection tool for the upcoming Sultana Brand Hockey One season.

Players were selected into a Thundersticks ‘White’ and ‘Black’ side, with the Thundersticks White coming out on top, winning two of the three matches in a hard-fought series.

Head Coach at WAIS, Stephanie Andrews, says the series provided much needed competition play for WA’s high performance players heading into the hockey season.

“Anytime you get to play high-quality matches – it is great for the players and provides an opportunity to test themselves against some of the best players in WA,” Andrews said.

“Obviously with the build-up into the Ric Charlesworth Classic and club competitions, we thought it provided players with that added exposure and quality match play leading into those games.

“Every training or game played – whether that be through initiatives such as this, the Ric Charlesworth Classic or at club level – plays a crucial role in selection across the WA high performance sides.”

The series provided players with their first ‘real’ hit out ahead of the season, with Andrews stating that the intensity was fierce, especially for the player’s first big taste of hockey for the season.

“For the first hit out of the season, we thought that the quality and standard of play was at an extremely high level,” Andrews said.

“We had a great mix of players who have performed consistently at a high level, including Under-21s and Under-18s State Team athletes, Premier League stars and Thundersticks stalwarts.

“We also have some players to come back into the group who were not available, playing in the domestic series on the east coast or players in the national program, so it’s really exciting for hockey in WA.”

RESULTS

Game 1

Thundersticks White 2

Thundersticks Black 1

Game 2

Thundersticks White 4

Thundersticks Black 3

Game 3

Thundersticks White 2

Thundersticks Black 4

TEAMS

WHITE

BLACK