Deemed not old enough to play, she attended every training session she could, now that dedication has payed off.
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In a flurry of amazement, Ruby Hines played her first game of hockey for Moss Vale Hockey Club and it was so overwhelmingly spectacular, it went by too quick for her.
Reflecting on her first game, Ruby explained how hard she has worked to get her first game under her belt.
"I found the game very fun and exciting," she said.
"I wanted to play for the school team last year, but I wasn't old enough, so the teacher said I could do all the training and learn how to play.
"I went to every training and it was so much fun. This year I was old enough to join the school team, but then the school competition was cancelled because of COVID.
"I was so happy that I could join and play on the weekend. I found some friends in my team that I haven't seen for a while and I made some new friends.
"It was the best."
In a blur of entertainment, Ruby can't pinpoint an exact moment she will remember in her debut, but she loved seeing the ball go into the back of the net.
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"I enjoyed my first game very much," Ruby said.
"I couldn't even pick a favourite part because it was all amazing, but when we scored the first goal and in the last five minutes we scored another goal. That was awesome."
Besides reaping from her hard work and dedication to the game of hockey, she made new friends and reconnected with old. This season is looking really exciting for Ruby.
"Honestly, it felt the best seeing all my friends," Ruby said.
"I couldn't see friends and couldn't play with them during COVID. It was good to be able to actually play with them.
"I am finally playing a sport with some of my best friends."
With an excellent work ethic and love for the game at such a young age, the sky is the limit for Ruby.
She doesn't know names, or how to get there just yet, but with her mindset Ruby will have a bright future in whatever she puts her mind to.
"I don't know any names of players, but I really like the Australian hockey team because they were able to make a career out of playing hockey," Ruby said.
I had a lot of fun playing, but I would like to try and make a career out of it."
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