2023 Perth Thundersticks Program | Round 1

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MATCH-DAY PROGRAM THUNDERSTICKS

PERTH
1 V CANBERRA CHILL SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023
ROUND

Perth Thundersticks chasing glory in 2023 Hockey One season

Men

After that heartbreaking 2-0 loss to NSW Pride left us with a silver medal last year, you can imagine how motivated the Perth Thundersticks men’s squad is going into the new season.

Last year, the Thundersticks boasted red-hot form by kicking off their 2022 campaign with a 5-2 win over Adelaide Fire, where Zalewski scored a second-half hat-trick

The Thundersticks rode that strong form into the next two rounds, with an 8-5 win over Hockey Club Melbourne – where Tom Wickham racked up four goals for the match, and a 3-2 victory over Brisbane Blaze in round three.

The Thundersticks strong start hit the skids when they were handed their first loss of the season, falling just short 4-3 against NSW Pride

Despite suffering a tough penalty shootout loss to Tassie Tigers and a 4-2 loss to Canberra Chill in the rounds that followed, the Thundersticks held on to finish third on the ladder and advance to the semifinals.

After enacting revenge on Canberra Chill with a 6-3 victory to progress to the grand final, the Thundersticks found themselves dismantled by NSW Pride, going on to finish the season taking home the silver medal.

Embarking on the quest to bring home the gold will be Will Battistessa, James Collins, Bryn De Bes, Liam Flynn, Brodee Foster, Cambell Geddes, Tim Geers, Jake Harvie, Tom Harvie, Tyler Lovell, Alistair Murray, Ben Rennie, Tom Wickham and Aran Zalewski

PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023

PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM

While there are plenty of familiar faces returning to the PTX squad for 2023, the Thundersticks have also welcomed some fresh talent and returning players into the ranks

New additions to the squad include Matt Bird (Fremantle Cockburn Hockey Club), Josh Bowen (Hale Hockey Club), Frank Main (UWA Hockey Club), Marshall Puzey (YMCC Hockey Club), and James Day, who moved west from Canberra Chill following last season

Returning to the Thunderdome this year are Brayden King and former Kookaburra Trent Mitton, both of whom make their comeback after missing the 2022 season

King ran out for Hale Hockey Club during the 2023 Premier League season, featuring in 16 games and forming part of the 2023 premiership team, while Mitton featured in 20 Premier League matches for WASPS Hockey Club and scored 14 goals

Women

After claiming the bronze medal with a convincing 3-0 win over Hockey Club Melbourne last year, the Perth Thundersticks women’s squad will look to continue improving in its third Hockey One season

While the Thundersticks started strong with a 31 win over Adelaide Fire, followed by a 2-0 clean sheet victory over Hockey Club Melbourne, the squad hit a slump in form when they suffered consecutive losses to Brisbane Blaze and NSW Pride

However, the Thundersticks got themselves on track with two quick goals via Georgia Wilson helping them notch their second clean sheet win of the season, defeating Tassie Tigers 3-0.

That form was backed up the following week by holding off Canberra Chill 3-1 to finish in third place on the ladder with a 4-2 record

Despite falling short against NSW Pride 1-0 in the semi-finals, the Thundersticks bounced back in the third-place playoff against Hockey Club Melbourne, with two early goals via Penny Squibb and Georgina Dowd helping them on their way to claim the bronze medal

ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023

PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM

Lining up for another season with the Thundersticks this year are Sarah Byrnes, Britney Desilva, Georgina Dowd, Elizaberth Duguid, Neasa Flynn, Rachel Frusher, Annie Gibbs, Liné Malan, Aleisha Power, Anna Roberts, Renee Rockliff, Karri Somerville, Penny Squibb, Shanea Tonkin and Georgia Wilson

Along with the many players returning for another season with the Thundersticks, a few new faces have emerged within the squad.

Hoping to make their debut with the Thundersticks this year are Elyssa Melville (Whitford Hockey Club), Kayla O’Sullivan (Victoria Park Xavier Hockey Club), Saysha Pillay (UWA Hockey Club) and Belle Ramshaw (UWA Hockey Club), while Lexie Pickering and Jessie Reid join the squad after moving to WA from NSW Pride and Brisbane Blaze in 2019 respectively.

Making her return to the Thundersticks after missing the 2022 season is Pippa Morgan, who comes into the squad fresh off a stellar Premier League season with UWA Hockey Club featuring in 14 caps and scoring 5 goals for the season

Fixtures

Round 1 – Perth Thundersticks vs Canberra Chill

Saturday 7 October 3:30pm @ Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University

Round 2 – BYE

Round 3 - Tassie Tigers vs Perth Thundersticks

Friday October 20 3:30pm @ The Tasmanian Hockey Centre

Round 4 – Perth Thundersticks vs Hockey Club Melbourne

Sunday October 29 1:30pm @ Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University

Round 5 – Adelaide Fire vs Perth Thundersticks

Sunday November 5 10:30am @ MATE Stadium

Round 6 – Perth Thundersticks vs NSW Pride

Sunday November 12 1:30pm @ Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University

Round 7 – Brisbane Blaze vs Perth Thundersticks

Sunday November 19 12pm @ Queensland State Hockey Centre

ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023

4

SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER

PERTH HOCKEY STADIUM AT CURTIN UNIVERSITY

GET TICKETS v ROUND
6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 22 Sarah BYRNES Georgia WILSON Shanea TONKIN Jesse REID Rachel FRUSHER Liné MALAN Lexie PICKERING Elizabeth DUGUID (C, GK) Belle RAMSHAW Annie GIBBS Renee ROCKLIFF Georgina DOWD Anna ROBERTS 5.00PMSAT7OCT|PERTHHOCKEYSTADIUM

THUNDERSTICKS PERTH

WOMEN’S SQUAD

DOB: 20/05/1998

Nickname: Pip Club: UWA

Favourite hockey memory: Playing Bunbury carnival as a junior. Something about you that would surprise people: I'm a vegetarian for sustainability reasons but I work in oil and gas.

DOB: 27/03/2001

Nickname: Kimmy Club: Victoria Park Xavier

Celebrity you'd most like to meet: Michael B Jordan. Your favourite turf to play on in WA and why: Perth Hockey Stadium - not as hard on the legs.

DOB: 13/08/2001

Nickname: Neas Club: UWA

When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: Vet. What are you most excited for this Hockey One season: Playing with a great bunch of girls again and getting the opportunity to win a flag.

DOB: 04/07/2004

Nickname: Lys Club: Whitford

Which of your team members is your favourite to warm up with: Whoever's around when I finally get my kit on since I'm usually the last one ready. Something about you that would surprise people: Scary movies put me to sleep.

COASTEDGE DEVELOPMENTS

DOB: 01/01/1997

Nickname: Leish Club: Victoria Park Xavier

Which of your team members is your favourite to warm up with: Anyone who will warm me up is my favourite person. Do you have any pre-game superstitions? If so, what are they: None - I just rock up and hope for the best.

ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023 PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM
1. Pippa MORGAN 2. Kayla O'SULLIVAN 3. Neasa FLYNN 4. Elyssa MELVILLE 5. Aleisha POWER

DOB: 19/10/2000

Nickname: Byrnesy Club: Hale

Your go-to coffee order: Almond long mac. Do you have any pre-game superstitions? If so, what are they: Always re-tie my shoelaces after putting my shinnies on.

DOB: 09/02/1993

Nickname: Squibb Club: Curtin University

Your favourite hockey memory: Playing my first international game at home here in Perth in 2019 against Great Britain. Your favourite show to binge-watch: Any - recently just finished The Quarterback on Netflix which is pretty good.

DOB: 20/05/1996

Nickname: Willow Club: Victoria Park Xavier

Your go-to coffee order: Chamomile tea. Something about you that would surprise people: I've never drunk alcohol.

DOB: 28/04/1997

Nickname: Nays or Nae Club: North Coast Raiders

Do you come from a hockey family or are you the only player: My whole family plays hockey whether it's social, club, state or for Australia. Very family orientated for me. Celebrity you'd most like to meet: Dua Lipa.

DOB: 13/12/2000

Nickname: Jess Club: UWA

Your favourite show to binge-watch: Grey's Anatomy. Do you come from a hockey family or are you the only player: Hockey is in my blood. Grandad (dad's side) and mother both wore green and gold. #slay

DOB: 13/02/1994

Nickname: Frush Club: Victoria Park Xavier

When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: Gymnast. Something about you that would surprise people: I played college hockey in America for Maryland University.

ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023 PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM
8. Georgia WILSON 9. Shanea TONKIN 10. Jesse REID 11. Rachel FRUSHER . Penny SQUIBB 6. Sarah BYRNES

12. Liné MALAN

DOB: 20/06/1992

Nickname: Lion or Linnie Club: Hale

13. Lexie PICKERING

DOB: 26/06/2001

Nickname: Sexy Lexie Club: UWA

Something about you that would surprise people: I can speak three languages. Which other sport/s would you play if you couldn't play hockey anymore: Probably do Triathlons or play golf or tennis

Your favourite hockey memory: Scoring the winning goal at an U/11 carnival in Lithgow. We were playing on grass in -5 degrees, and our opposition were wearing pyjama pants. Hockey at its finest.

Elizabeth DUGUID

DOB: 01/07/1992

Nickname: Lizzy Club: WASP

Which of your team members is your favourite to warm up with: Anyone who is willing to warm up the goalie!

Something about you that would surprise people: I'm 5th generation Darwin Chinese.

DOB: 15/11/2002

Nickname: N/A Club: UWA

Your favourite turf to play on in WA and why: UWA Superturf because it has a home feeling to me and always has a good atmosphere. Something about you that would surprise people: I have my forklift licence.

16. Saysha PILLAY

DOB: 31/05/2004

Nickname: Saysh Club: UWA

Something about you that would surprise people: I'm a citizen of 3 different countries. Your favourite hockey memory: Winning silver with U/21s in Perth.

17. Annie GIBBS

DOB: 20/05/1998

Nickname: N/A Club: North Coast Raiders

Your favourite hockey memory: First state trip in Alice Springs. When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: Paramedic.

ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023 PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM
15. Bellé RAMSHAW

18. Renee ROCKLIFF DOB: 31/03/1999

Nickname: Ren Club: Victoria Park Xavier

Your go-to coffee order: Small almond cap extra shot ALWAYS Your favourite show to binge-watch: Quite embarrassing but The Great British Bake-Off.

19. Georgina DOWD DOB: 25/10/2001

Nickname: G Club: Suburban Lions

Your favourite hockey memory: Scoring in the first minute of Thundersticks vs Canberra last year in Hockey One. An amazing feeling to play a game at such a high level, alongside amazing people and good quality players.

20. Karri SOMERVILLE DOB: 07/04/1999

Nickname: Karri Club: Victoria Park Xavier

When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: A farmer. Something about you that would surprise people: I only buy clothes from the op-shop.

22. Anna ROBERTS DOB: 07/08/1996

Nickname: Anna Club: North Coast Raiders

Your go-to coffee order: Cup of tea. ��

Do you come from a hockey family or are you the only player: My brother and I used to play together, but not much hockey in the family.

24. Britney DESILVA DOB: 31/03/2002

Nickname: Brit/Britty Club: UWA

Your favourite hockey memory: Playing in the U/21 gold medal match in front of a huge Perth crowd in 2022. Celebrity you'd most like to meet: Hamish Blake and/or Andy Lee.

ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023 PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM

Day excited to make Thundersticks debut against old team

Perth Hockey Stadium is sure to be set alight this weekend as the Perth Thundersticks get set to open their 2023 Hockey One campaign with a sizzling double-header against Canberra Chill.

The Thundersticks' season opener on Saturday 7 October is made all the more exciting with a potential secret weapon in the form of former Canberra Chill great James Day donning the WA kit for the first time.

James Day moved to the West from ACT five years ago, playing and dominating for Melville City Hockey Club, scoring 36 goals for the Men's Premier Division 1 side this year alone.

In his 2022 Hockey One season with the Canberra Chill, Day scored a total of 8 goals - all from penalty corners - making him the competition's fifth-highest goal-scorer, behind Thundersticks'own Tom Wickham who racked up 9 goals.

Day's connection to Canberra and his bond with his teammates in the Chill was enough to continue travelling East each season. However, with the travel becoming increasingly difficult to managed and the draw of the Thundersticks, he is excited to make his debut into the team

"Canberra is obviously a smaller state, and with WA being such a big hockey state, the Thundersticks are a powerhouse of hockey," he said.

ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023 PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM

"We have always considered them one of the ones to beat, so it was good (for the Chill) to get a win over them when we could."

Day admits that the Thundersticks have a different game style, environment and team structure from what he had been used to playing with Canberra, but is excited and ready to take on the challenge the team has to offer

"I have good mates in the Canberra team, so it will be different playing against them rather than for them," he said

"They've got some new players in there too, so I expect their style will evolve with the team

"They're going to be tough to play against, I'm just hoping I can carry over my form from last season and play the best I can."

He congratulated the Thundersticks on their silver medal win last season, admitting the Chill's semi-final loss against them was a gut-wrenching feeling, but shares the Thundersticks' hunger to go one better this season.

"I'm just keen to see if we can win it this year," he said.

Not only does Saturday offer Perth hockey fans the Hockey One season-opening match and Day's Thundersticks debut, it also marks Indian International superstar Rupinder Pal Singh's first game for the Canberra Chill.

Widely known as one of the best drag flickers in the world, Singh has represented India on the international stage in two Olympic Games, as well as two Commonwealth Games, leading his team from the front with his role as vice-captain.

While in the Australian A side, Day was able to play against the Indian team, including taking on Singh.

PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023

He acknowledged that it will be immensely tough to play against the drag-flicking afficionado, but that he is looking forward to being on the field with him once again

"If he's anything like what he was back then, he'll be drag-flicking the ball pretty hard," Day joked.

Throughout his career, Singh has totalled a remarkable 119 goals, in his 220 international appearances for India and will be a massive addition to the Hockey One league

The last time the Chill and the Thundersticks met was in round 5 of the season at Canberra's National Hockey Centre.

The women's team emerged victorious, besting the home team 3-1, with a thrilling field goal and goal conversion in the first 2 minutes from young gun Georgina Dowd, and an effortless penalty corner goal from Penny Squibb

When the men's team met the Chill last year, they suffered a tough 4-2 defeat, with goals from Tom Wickham and Matt Willis. However, a barrage of goals from Will Battistessa, Brodee Foster, Cam Geddes, as well as a hat-trick from Wickham saw them enact revenge with 6-3 semi-final win.

Witness the opening whistle of what is sure to be the Thundersticks' most thrilling season yet, Saturday October 7 from 3:30pm at Perth Hockey Stadium

PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023
3 4 5 9 11 13 14 15 17 18 23 25 26 Tim GEERS Jake HARVIE Tom WICKHAM James DAY Tom HARVIE Brayden KING Matthew WILLIS Liam FLYNN Aran ZALEWSKI (C) Ben RENNIE (GK) Cambell GEDDES Trent MITTON James COLLINS 3.30PMSAT7OCT|PERTHHOCKEYSTADIUM

THUNDERSTICKS

MEN’S SQUAD

DOB: 19/11/1996

Nickname: Birdy Club: Fremantle Cockburn

Do you have any pre-game superstitions? If so, what are they: Always wear double socks, first layer has to be Australian socks. Which other sport/s would you play if you couldn't play hockey anymore: Does fishing count?

23/04/1998

Nickname: Wilba Club: Victoria Park Xavier

Your favourite hockey memory: Playing a season in England. When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: Ice-cream taster.

27/04/1994

Nickname: Geersy Club: Melville City

When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: WWE wrestler. Something about you that would surprise people: Outside of hockey, I'm heavily involved with owning and training racehorses.

05/03/1998

Nickname: Specs or Snakeo Club: Westside Wolves

Your favourite hockey memory: Playing for the Thundersticks with my brother Tom and winning two Commonwealth Games with the Kookaburras. Your favourite show to binge-watch: The Office.

26/05/1990

Nickname: TJ Club: UWA

Which of your team members is your favourite to warm up with: I like warming up the GK's. Do you come from a hockey family? My mum played when I was a child. That's how I got into hockey in the first place.

ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023 PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM
1.Matt BIRD 2. Will BATTISTESSA DOB: 3. Tim GEERS DOB: 4. Jake HARVIE DOB: 5. Tom WICKHAM DOB:
PERTH

6. Bryn DE BES DOB: 04/07/1996

Nickname: Brynno Club: WASP

Celebrity you'd most like to meet: Patrick Cripps. Something about you that would surprise people: II was an actor in a Bollywood movie, Soorma, which is on Netflix.

7. Tyler LOVELL DOB: 23/05/1987

Nickname: Big T Club: YMCC

Do you have any pre-game superstitions? If so, what are they: Sit down and relax with a coffee. Your go-to coffee order: Long black.

8. Marshall PUZEY DOB: 26/02/1999

Nickname: Mildura, Vic Club: YMCC

Your favourite turf to play on in WA and why: YM Stadium - home of the mighty YMCC. Celebrity you'd most like to meet: Kevin Hart.

9. James DAY DOB: 26/06/1994

Nickname: Daisy Club: Melville City

Your favourite hockey memory: Melville's first premiership. Something about you that would surprise people: Eat Maccas before games.

10. Josh BOWEN DOB: 25/01/1997

Nickname: JB Club: Hale

When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: Professional tennis player. Your favourite turf to play on in WA and why: Hale Turf - I've scored the most goals there!

11. Tom HARVIE DOB: 01/02/2000

Nickname: Harvs Club: Westside Wolves

Your go-to coffee order: I don't drink coffee so a hot/iced chocolate. Something about you that would surprise people: I love fishing.

ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023
PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM

12. Alistair MURRAY

DOB: 22/01/2000

Nickname: Muz Club: Westside Wolves

Something about you that would surprise people: My first primary school in the country had less than 10 kids in it when I was there.

Do you have any pre-game superstitions? If so, what are they: I like to drink coconut water.

13. Brayden KING DOB: 20/03/1998

Nickname: Kingy Club:Hale

14. Matt WILLIS

DOB: 21/02/1991

Nickname: Matt/Willo Club: Melville City

Your favourite hockey memory: Scoring my first Hockey One goal! Something about you that would surprise people: I can beat Josh Bowen in tennis.

Your go-to coffee order: Anything but coffee. Something about you that would surprise people: I have umpired an international hockey match.

15. Liam FLYNN DOB: 30/04/1997

Nickname: Rowdy Club: Hale

Your favourite show to binge-watch: Yellowstone. Your favourite turf to play on in WA and why: Hale - home club bias.

16. Brodee FOSTER DOB: 21/06/2002

Nickname: Brod Club: Reds

Which other sport/s would you play if you couldn't play hockey anymore: Golf for sure.

Your favourite turf to play on in WA and why: Aquinas when it's wet. Just nice and slick, easy to do everything on.

17. Aran ZALEWSKI DOB: 21/03/1991

Nickname: Moose Club: Reds

Your favourite hockey memory: Playing in the muddy grass of Margaret River.

Something about you that would surprise people: Love my cooking.

ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023
PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM

PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM

DOB: 28/09/1990

Nickname: Rennie Club: Fremantle Cockburn

Which other sport/s would you play if you couldn't play hockey anymore: I would love to give Ice Hockey a go!

Celebrity you'd most like to meet: Michael Jordan - I have a feeling he would have some great stories!

DOB: 06/01/1992

Nickname: Franky Club: UWA

Your favourite show to bingewatch: Succession

Something about you that might surprise people: I went to Chandigarh to be in a Bollywood hockey movie called Soorma which is on Netflix!

DOB: 18/06/2002

Nickname: Geddes Club: UWA

Your go-to coffee order: English Breakfast. Something about you that might surprise people: I'm good at Rubik's cubes

DOB: 26/11/1990

Nickname: Mitts Club: WASP

Do you come from a hockey family or are you the only player: Father and Grandfather played hockey for Australia. Brother has played 300 games for WASPs. When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: Chef

DOB: 25/02/2000

Nickname: Jimmy Club: Victoria Park Xavier

Your favourite show to bingewatch: I enjoy binge-watching The Mentalist and The Office (US) Something about you that would surprise people: I won a hip hop dance award when I was young.

18. Ben RENNIE 20. Frank MAIN 23. Cam GEDDES
ROUND 1 V CANBERRA CHILL I SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023
25. Trent MITTON 26. James COLLINS
HOCKEYWA.ORG.AU

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