The game runs in their blood and now they’re ready to take the next step.
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Gisele Townsend and Dylan Plumridge have both received an Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS) scholarship in hockey.
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Following her brothers footsteps into the game of hockey, Gisele didn’t have an easy time getting the IAS scholarship.
“I wasn’t really expecting to get in because the trials were quiet difficult,” she said.
Gisele found the IAS workouts hard and doubt crept in.
“We had to do a lot of running in the trials,” she said.
“Fitness is my weak point and I feel I didn’t perform at my best.”
Gisele may have found the trials difficult but her natural talent and determination powered her through the pain and she succeeded.
“It felt pretty good to get in,” Gisele said.
The joy of hearing she had received a scholarship made it all worth while.
“I felt pretty proud of myself when I found out I was in,” Gisele said.
“My dad told me I got in and I told all my friends about it.”
Gisele’s next year with the IAS is stacked full.
“I’ll be doing a lot of skill development and team development stuff,” she said.
“Also some injury prevention, stretching techniques along with fitness training and nutrition education.”
Next April she and the team will be heading over to Newcastle to represent the IAS in a tournament match against another academy.
This is just the start to her hockey dreams.
“I’d like to continue developing my game,” Gisele said.
“I want to work towards trying to make the state team one day.”
Following the same pathway as Gisele did into hockey, fellow IAS scholarship recipient, Dylan Plumridge also got into hockey due to his brother.
“He played goalkeeper,” Dylan said.
“I went to all his games, loved it and then I started playing.”
Playing up to three positions, wing, inner and right half, Dylan’s next 12 months will be developing in those positions.
“I’ll have a lot of training,” Dylan said.
“I’m aiming to learn new skills and keep getting better and essentially wait for the new season to start.”
All the hard work felt like it paid off when Dylan got a IAS scholarship.
“I was really excited when it was announced I had got in,” he said.
“I told everyone I got in and I’m really happy I got in.”
The future certainly looks bright for these two.