SWAS hockey players Keeley Allsop and Montanna Randell (pictured) have been selected to represent Western Australia at the 2010 Australian Under 18 Women's Hockey Championships. Fellow SWAS hockey player Grace Jilley was also chosen.

24th February 2010

The last time field hockey aces Keeley Allsop and Montanna Randell competed in a national hockey tournament together they helped their team bring home gold.

That was back in 2008 – and the talented athletes are crossing their fingers that their second matching in a State hockey team will result in another victory.

The South West Academy of Sport hockey players are hoping to replicate the success they enjoyed at the 2008 Australian Under 15 Women's Hockey Championships when they compete at the upcoming 2010 Australian Under 18 Women's Hockey Championships at Port Lincoln.

Since learning of their selection to the Western Australian Under 18s hockey team, 15-year-old Allsop and 16-year-old Randell have intensified their training schedule in preparation for the tournament in April.

Being in a State team means regular trips to Perth for training, but thanks to the high level of training available from SWAS and head hockey coach Matt Mellor, the teenagers have also been able to train in the South West region.

Randell said she was looking forward to playing at a more challenging level of competition.

“Under 18s is the next step – it’s a more professional State team and it’s where you start getting noticed,” she said.

“It’s going to be great to play hockey at that level and we’ll be aiming to win gold.”

…ENDS