A TRIO of talented Coffs hockey juniors have been selected to represent their state.

Hockey Coffs Coast juniors Breah Fischer, Hayley Fischer, and Ambrose Page were selected to the Hockey NSW state junior representative teams who will take part in next months Under 18’s Men’s and Women’s National Championships in Launceston.

Sisters Breah and Hayley Fischer were selected for the NSW under 18’s women’s teams, while Page was selected to the NSW under 18’s men’s Blues team.

The Fischer sisters play for Beaches Hockey Club, while Page plays for the Urunga Hockey Club.

The talented trio were selected last year in Hockey NSW’s development accelerated athletes program, and have been training weekly locally and attending training camps.

Breah Fischer is a central defender while Hayley plays in the dominant position of centre midfielder.

Ambrose Page is in the vial shot-stopping position of goalkeeper.

Both the Fischer sisters have previously represented their state at national championships.

Rick Fischer coaches the talented trio putting them through their paces each Monday and Thursday morning.

Fischer told News Of The Area the junior players earnt their state selection through pure hard work and desire.

“They all push themselves pretty hard and are dedicated to making state teams,” he said.

“They are all very focused to get to training and work, and it’s no big deal for them.”

In addition to their morning coaching session, the NSW reps also take on their own fitness regime.

“Both my daughters do swimming and surfing as part of their own training. which helps them with their overall fitness in a different way to hockey,” he said.

The Hockey Coffs Coast juniors’ state selection didn’t come overnight as their coach explained.

“To gain selection to the state teams, they go away to a series of camps starting in July where they train at Sydney Olympic Park,” he said.

“There is another camp right at the end of Christmas and then in February, where they name the NSW squads.

“It’s intense and they get put through their paces against the best in the state and in the country.”

Fischer was confident the local reps would represent their state well in Tasmania.

“I’m confident all three will hold their own at the national championships, and I rate them highly,” he said.

Coaching his two daughters can sometimes be a tricky proposition for Fischer.

“I am their father but I put my coaches hat on, and sometimes we have the occasional argument,” he said.

“We do have our differences on the field, but they are very receptive to what I say as they get down to work and they are pretty switched on.”

Fischer said enjoying your hockey was the main message he tried to instil to his young players.

“I sort of say to them don’t do it unless you enjoy it,” he said.

“If you stop loving it then don’t do it, and I try not to push them too hard.”

The three NSW representatives will head down to Sydney for an Easter training camp, before heading to Launceston for the National Championships in April.

 

By Aiden BURGESS