A HUMBLE multisport event in a small country town has fuelled a passion for hockey in 12-year-old Petra Verster.
Petra was given the opportunity to try a number of sports when she was in Hopetoun as a second grader, but it was when she picked up a hockey stick for the first time that she fell in love.
“I love it. It’s a very fun sport and you get to run around, play as a team and everyone encourages you,” she said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWHard work and perseverance has paid off for the Foundation Christian College student and Rockingham Redbacks Hockey Club player, who next month will head to Bendigo after she was one of 14 young players chosen to represent WA in a national competition.
She said she had decided not to let a setback last year stop her from trying to make the state team.
“I really love hockey and I thought I had a good chance this year to make it. Last year I tried out but didn’t make it,” she said.
“I felt very happy, excited and joyful to make the team.
“I think we’ve got a good chance as long as we working together and I want to use the competition to learn new skills and meet new people.”
The young star has also set her sights on bigger and better things, with hopes of one day playing for Australia.
Frederick Irwin Anglican School’s Lauren Healey also made the team, while Mandurah Baptist College’s Tyler Johansson was chosen as the student umpire.