Three Wimmera representatives will participate in the Junior State Championships, the pinnacle underage hockey event in Victoria, in Bendigo later this week.

This tournament involves six metropolitan and four regional zones that compete in both boys and girls divisions for Under 13, 15, and 18 age groups.

For the first time, the teams will converge on two regional locations, Shepparton for the boys and Bendigo for the girls, after previously being played across various venues in Melbourne. This move was scheduled for last season before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus situation.

All three locals will represent the North-West Lightning zone, with Kendra Clark who plays locally for the Nhill and District Sporting Club - Hockey Division to play in the Under 18 Girls, Hannah Mackereth from the Horsham Hockey Club will play in the Under 13 Girls, and Paul Mackereth, also from the Horsham club, will spend the tournament as part of the coaching team for the Under 13 Girls.

Above - The Wimmera representative at the Victorian Junior State Championships in Bendigo this week, (from left) Hannah Mackereth (Lightning U13 Girls), Kendra Clark (Lightning U18 Girls), and Paul Mackereth (Lightning assistant coach).

The teams from the Lightning zone, which includes players from the North Central, Hockey Central Victoria (Bendigo), Sunraysia, and Wimmera hockey associations, will gather in Bendigo for their last training on Wednesday ahead of the four-day tournament that commences on Thursday.

The teams in each age group have been divided into two pools, and over the first two days they will play the four others in their group.

Cross over matches will be played between the pools on Saturday will see each team play another two games before the finals take place on Sunday.

This tournament is an excellent chance for these girls to gain experience playing at a higher level alongside new teammates and learn from new coaches. It will also be a valuable learning opportunity for Paul to work alongside these experienced coaches to gain knowledge to bring back and share with colleagues in the Wimmera.

The Under 13 Girls’ are all scheduled to be played in the mornings, with their first game against the Melbourne-based Eastern Hotshots at 8 am on Thursday, and the Under 18’s play in the late afternoon and evening, with the Lightning’s first game at 4.35 pm, also against the Hotshots.