Connor Johnston and Tara Lambert from Maffra Hockey Club are headed to Hobart for the 2022 Hockey Australia Under 13 Carnival.
The goalkeepers have been selected for the Victorian Under 13 Development Team, who will compete in the carnival from September 28 to October 4.
Connor was selected for the Hockey Victoria Academy for the second time; the first was in 2021.
Connor and Tara attended Hockey Victoria’s Draft Camp in June, a development program and selection event for Hockey Victoria Under 13 Academy.
Hockey Victoria’s Draft Camp program combines intensive skill development in small groups, modified games and match play, providing athletes with the opportunity to improve their skills and techniques under the guidance of high-performance coaches.
Hockey Victoria’s High Performance Department assesses athletes attending draft camp for their potential selection into the program.
After an extensive progression from Draft Camp to Academy, player assessment, then trials, Connor and Tara are two of the 64 athletes picked for the Academy
The 2022 Hockey Australia U13 Carnival is running for the first time since 2019.
Hockey Victoria Athlete and coaching manager Phil Burrows is optimistic about the squad.
“We’re incredibly excited to have the last of our regular programs back up and functioning,” he said.
“We can’t wait to see these young people start their representative journey.”
For the next six weeks, in the lead-up to the Hobart carnival, Connor and Tara will train twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, at the State Hockey Centre in Melbourne.
Wednesdays are reserved for more traditional training sessions, Connor and Tara tell, while Sundays host a round-robin game day, each match lasting six minutes.
Training in Melbourne is a highlight of the week for the young hockey players, but for mum and dad, it means a 4am wake up on Sunday and a midnight return on Wednesday.
Connor joined Hook in 2 Hockey, in 2017 as an eight year old – the national introductory program for children 10 years and younger.
He quickly advanced from Hook in 2 Hockey, playing in Maffra’s Under 11 and Under 13 teams in his very first season, and by 2018, was goalkeeping for Maffra Hockey Club’s Under 15 team.
This season, Connor is a goalkeeper for Maffra Hockey Club Under 15 team and plays a field position in the Under 13 team.
Connor has represented East Gippsland at the Junior Country Championships, and Gippsland at the Junior State Championships several times.
Tara started playing hockey for the Maffra Hockey Club’s Under 11 team at just seven years of age. The following season, she advanced to the Under 13 team.
Tara began playing for the Maffra Hockey Club Under 15 team last year, maintaining a field position on the team this year while playing as the Under 13 goalkeeper.
Tara only began goalkeeping late last season, quickly excelling in her skill and ability, so much so that she was selected for this year’s Hockey Victoria Under 13 Academy.
Connor and Tara say they are excited for what lies ahead in Hobart.
“I am excited to play hockey and just for the whole experience,” Tara said.
“We fly over on the plane by ourselves; our parents aren’t even allowed to stay in the same hotel.
“We only get to see them at our game when they are in the crowd.”
While the independence of the carnival is an exciting aspect for Tara, it is a worrying one for her mum Kylie.
“I am nervous,” she said.
“She’s only 12, she has gone on school camps before, but that’s not nearly as long.”
Like his hockey mate, Connor is excited about the upcoming event.
“Yeah I am excited,” he said.
“It will be my second time leaving Victoria.”
Ayrton Corben from Swan Reach Hockey Club will join Tara and Connor in Hobart for the carnival.
