THERE are players with state and Premier League Hockey experience, there are players who are versatile and players who boast a whole lot of skill - that's why Bathurst Green is hoping to make an impact at the Under 18 Girls Field State Championships.
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The Bathurst Green outfit forms part of the 10-team division two competition at the Lismore-Ballina hosted state titles and coach Trevor Weal is excited by the potential he has to work with.
His Green squad includes the likes of sisters Millie Fulton and Macey Fulton, Lily Kable, Charlize Fitzpatrick and goalkeeper Ellen Dolbel - all of whom have represented NSW in recent times.
"They are all very talented, all the way from the front right through to the goalkeeper, I'm very happy with the team we're taking away. I think we've got a really good chance of having some good results this weekend," Weal said.
"There is a lot of versatility in that squad, we've got a lot of midfielders who can be strikers and even if one player falls injured or needs a break, you can pull someone out of striker and put them into defence and they'll do a good job.
"Of course you go away trying to win, last year we didn't go away because of COVID, but the year before that we won C division in Wagga.
"So it's a good, strong side and they are getting used to playing together and having some good results."
As well as the skill, speed and versatility within the Bathurst Green side, there is also a good camaraderie. Weal knows that is another important quality as they chase a state title.
"We've been training for the last four-five weeks, but the girls just click, they get along really well. You see them down there on Saturday mornings and it doesn't matter what club they are playing for, they are all hanging out together - it's a really good environment," he said.
"They're really easy to coach, they're a great bunch of girls and I have Brad Fulton as an assistant coach with me and he's got a very smart hockey brain. Between the two of us we tend to work a few things out."
For the three-day tournament which commences on Friday, Weal's side has been placed in a pool which includes Manning Valley, Grafton, Far North Coast and Port Macquarie Hastings.
Should they rank in the top two after the pool rounds, they will advance to the semi-finals on Sunday morning.
Playing semi-final hockey will also be the goal for the Jess Watterson coached Bathurst White outfit which will line up in the nine-team division three.
Their pools rivals are Illawarra South Coast, Metro South West, Sydney East and Far North Coast.
"It's different for Bathurst to have two 18s teams. In the past they've struggled to have numbers but it's really good to see to two, especially that they are travelling to Ballina which is so far away, to see they are willing to play is great," Weal said.
"They're in third division and they've got a strong side as well. I think they've got a really good chance of having a strong weekend as well.
"There are a few kids in that side who haven't gone away to district before and they'll have an amazing weekend of just learning."
BATHURST GREEN: Samantha Brown, Megan Cooke, Charlize Fitzpatrick, Millie Fulton, Macey Fulton, Lily Kable, Clare Mawhood, Olivia McCauley, Brianna Weal, Kelsey Webb, Kelsie Whyte, Hayley Willott, Giaan Willott, Ellen Dolbel.
BATHURST WHITE: Cleo Cheney, Isabelle Cobcroft, Paige Cooke, Jessika Day-Stephen, Ciara Edwards, Chelsea Lane, Harriet Lowe, Georgia Milligan, Caitlyn Sherlock, Grace Sherlock, Emily Weal, Lauren Weal, Lily Erskine, Amy Ioane, Maree Ioane.
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