FOR Medowie residents, Grace and Hannah Baxter, sporting achievement runs in their blood.

Not only have they played for the Hunter PSSA Girls Hockey Team, but they will be representing their school, Soldiers Point Public, at zone and regional level, in a variety of other sports.

Grace, year six, has already represented Port Stephens in netball, touch football, hockey and cross country, and will be going to zone for athletics in August.

She has qualified in every event.

She will also be playing hockey in Moorebank then Wagga Wagga (under 13 State Championships) as part of the Newcastle team.

Their mum, Jenny Baxter, will be the coach.

This is Grace’s first year back playing hockey after a two and a half year rest, due to a serious leg break, a double compound fracture of her leg.

The Hunter PSSA State Hockey Carnival was held in Albury 21-23 June.

This saw both sisters playing together, through low temperatures and rain.

Grace has also been called up to play for the Hunter PSSA Girls Touch Football team for the State Carnival in August.

Hannah, year five, who has also recently gone to Zone for cross country and hockey, will be going for athletics as well.

She has been selected to play for Newcastle under 11 hockey team in their annual tournament in Tamworth.

Team sports runs in the family, as their mother, Jenny, also coached the Newcastle Open Women’s Hockey team, recently becoming State Champions in Division 2, meaning a promotion to Division 1 for next year.

She played for NSW in various teams, since the age of 12, and has gone on to coach many NSW teams in various age groups.

Grace and Hannah’s father, Paul, played for the Australian Country Men’s Hockey team, and has coached the NSW under 16 Boy’s All Schools team for the past few years.

Jenny told News of the Area, “I’m so pleased to see our girls enjoying sport the way I have throughout my life.”

“It’s rewarding to see them making friends that will last a lifetime, to develop a love of being active and appreciating all the benefits that come with team sport.”

 

By Simone JOHNSON