2022 Perth Thundersticks Match-Day Program I Round 3

MATCH-DAY PROGRAM THUNDERSTICKS

Rolling Thundersticks look toward Brisbane match up

The Perth Thundersticks men and women are on a roll to begin the 2022 Sultana Bran Hockey One season.

The sides are both undefeated and lead the league through the first two rounds, with wins against the Adelaide Fire and HC Melbourne to begin their campaign and a highly anticipated match against Brisbane scheduled for Saturday.

Perth faced their first road trip of the year at the weekend and came away with two thrilling victories.

Four goals to Kookaburra Tom Wickham and two each to Cambell Geddes and Liam Flynn saw the men take a massive 8-5 victory over Melbourne on Friday night.

Meanwhile, the women claimed a 2-0 win thanks to fourth-quarter goals from Georgia Wilson and Line Malan in their matchup with the Victorian side.

The two wins on the weekend follow both sides claiming thrilling victories over the Adelaide Fire in round one.

The Thundersticks have four men – Wickham, Geddes, Flynn and Aran Zalewski – inside the top eight goal scorers for the tournament so far, while Line Malan is one goal clear on top of the women’s scoring table.

Two mouth-watering clashes await the Thundersticks on Saturday when they host the Brisbane Blaze at the Perth Hockey Stadium.

The men’s match is a top-of-the-table clash, with Brisbane sitting just one goal behind Perth on the ladder with wins over Tassie and Canberra to start their campaign.

Meanwhile, the Perth women head in as favourites for their match against a winless Brisbane women’s side.

Thundersticks women’s coach Phil Hulbert said his side could not afford to underestimate their upcoming opponents.

“I am expecting they will come out pretty hard this weekend,” Hulbert said.

“They probably haven’t had the start they wanted, and they are a quality unit, so I am sure they will be looking to bounce back.

PERTH

“I am expecting them to be desperate and I think it will be a challenging game.”

Hulbert said whilst Perth’s start to the competition had them well placed, there was still a long way to go in their campaign.

“To be two and zero is pretty good at this point in the tournament,” Hulbert said.

“You obviously don’t win or lose Hockey One in the first two rounds, but it is always nice to have some points in the bank.

“The girls haven’t had a lot of success over the last decade, so to be able to win the first two is really important and will hopefully start to build some belief.”

The first-year Thundersticks women’s coach said there was a positive atmosphere around the group which had them excelling on the pitch.

“We spent a bit of time on culture and our expectations, and I think the girls have really come along on that journey and are doing really well,” Hulbert said.

“They are quite a cohesive group; they have come from lots of different clubs but are really gelling together quite well.”

The women will play at 6pm on Saturday at the Perth Hockey Stadium, and the men’s pushback is scheduled for 4:30 pm.

THUNDERSTICKS PERTH WOMEN'S SQUAD

Sarah BYRNES

DOB: 19/10/2000

Birthplace: Perth Club: Curtin University Position: Midfield

Kate DENNING

DOB: 14/12/1990

Birthplace: Perth Club: Curtin University Position: Defender

Britney DESILVA

DOB: 31/03/2002

Birthplace: Perth Club: UWA

Position: Midfield

Georgina DOWD

DOB: 25/10/2001

Birthplace: Chelmsford (ENG) Club: Suburban Lions Position: Striker

Elizabeth DUGUID

DOB: 01/07/1992

Birthplace: Darwin Club: WASPs

Position: Goalkeeper

Career outside of hockey: Student.

Hockey links in family: Thundersticks teammate Kate Denning is my cousin

Career outside of hockey: Doctor Hockey links in family: My mum Elspeth Denning is an Olympic gold medallist (1988) and first woman to play 100 caps for Australia

Career outside of hockey: Student.

Hockey achievements: WA under-21s silver medal at the 2022 National Championships.

Passion outside of hockey: I enjoy creative outlets such as writing, drawing and painting. Little-known fact about me: I broke my hand teaching my English relatives how to play AFL

Career outside of hockey: Electrical Engineer.

Family background: Descendant of some of the first Chinese immigrants to the Northern Territory Great grandchild of Dr Charles Duguid, an Aboriginal rights campaigner

SUPPORTED BY

SUPPORTED BY

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THUNDERSTICKS PERTH WOMEN'S SQUAD

Neasa FLYNN

DOB: 13/08/2001

Birthplace: Perth Club: UWA Position: Striker

Rachel FRUSHER

DOB: 13/02/1994

Birthplace: Perth Club: Victoria Park Position: Defender

Annie GIBBS

DOB: 20/05/1998

Birthplace: Perth Club: North Coast Raiders

Position: Defender

Liné MALAN

DOB: 20/06/1992

Birthplace: London, UK Club: Hale Position: Midfield

Passion/interests outside of hockey: The environment, gardening, the beach, animals. Little known fact about me: Can drive a tractor

Career outside of hockey: Teacher

Proudest achievement: Back-to-back premierships with Victoria Park.

Hockey achievements: 2022 National Development squad member, Thundersticks debut in 2019, WA under-age representative.

SUPPORTED BY

Candyce PEACOCK

DOB: 07/06/1996

Birthplace: Bunbury Club: Westside Wolves

Position: Defender

Career outside of hockey: Clinical Exercise Physiologist Family background: Brother plays cricket for England, Dad used to be a state level cricketer, Mum is a keen golfer

Career outside of hockey: Mining Maintenance Planning. Little known fact about me: I spent time living in Japan as an exchange student for Year 7.

SUPPORTED BY

THUNDERSTICKS PERTH WOMEN'S SQUAD

Aleisha POWER

DOB: 01/01/1997

Birthplace: Northam Club: Victoria Park

Position: Goalkeeper

Anna ROBERTS

DOB: 07/08/1996

Birthplace: Bunbury Club: North Coast Raiders Position: Defender

Hockey links in family: My claim to fame is Rechelle Hawkes is in my family tree.

Little known fact about me: I'm forklift certified

Career outside of hockey: National Laboratory Excellence Passions/interest outside of hockey: Indoor hockey, lacrosse, floorball

Renee ROCKLIFF

DOB: 31/03/1999

Birthplace: Perth Club: Victoria Park

Position: Midfield

Jolie SERTORIO

DOB: 24/12/2001

Birthplace: Perth Club: Suburban Lions

Position: Midfield

Karri SOMERVILLE

DOB: 07/04/1999

Birthplace: Perth Club: Victoria Park

Position: Defender

Career outside of hockey: Physiotherapist.

Go-to karaoke song: Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield.

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Proudest achievement: Getting through two and a half years of knee rehabilitation.

Little-known fact about me: My cat and I tore our ACL’s a month apart.

Proudest achievement: Playing at the Tokyo Olympics. Passion outside of hockey: I love to cook (especially baking) You can never have too much cake!

SUPPORTED BY

SUPPORTED BY

THUNDERSTICKS PERTH WOMEN'S SQUAD

Penny SQUIBB

DOB: 09/02/1993

Bithplace: Tambellup Club: Curtin University Position: Defender

Shanea TONKIN

DOB: 28/04/1997

Birthplace: Perth Club: North Coast Raiders

Position: Striker

Jade VANDERZWAN

DOB: 21/06/2001

Birthplace: Perth Club: North Coast Raiders

Position: Striker

Kyra WHITE

DOB: 22/07/1992

Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe Club: WASPs

Position: Defensive Mid

Georgia WILSON

DOB: 20/05/1996

Birthplace: Perth Club: Victoria Park

Position: Midfield

Career outside of hockey: Exercise Physiologist and Health & PE Teacher Hockey achievements: Hockeyroos debut in 2018, re selected in 2021 2022 Commonwealth Games

Career outside of hockey: Nurse. Embarrassing moment on the hockey field: Diving for a tomahawk in the D, resulting in my top half stuck on the ground and my legs kept going over my head ended up with whiplash

Career outside of hockey: Student & special needs education assistant. Little known fact about me: I was born on the shortest day of the year (winter solstice).

Proudest achievement in hockey: Winning four Premier League premierships alongside my sister Erin. Passion/interests outside of hockey: Travelling and the beach/outdoors.

Proudest achievement in hockey: Returning from my ACL injury to play for the Hockeyroos after 14 months on the sidelines Passions/interests outside of hockey: Cooking/baking

SUPPORTED BY

SUPPORTED BY

An open letter from our very own Phil Hulbert to you, WA

By PHIL HULBERT, WOMEN’S PERTH THUNDERSTICKS COACH

The Thundersticks’ start to the season – across the men’s and women’s teams – has been fantastic… and we need you at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University this Saturday to help us continue to build the momentum.

Both the male and female sides are undefeated following their first two matches and now we are back on home turf following our Victorian interstate adventure for a huge match against the Brisbane Blaze.

It’s an honour to coach Western Australia’s best female hockey players. The start they’ve enjoyed and the form they’ve displayed this season has been nothing short of phenomenal.

The team is doing a tremendous job – led by our leadership team of Kyra White, Rachel Frusher and Penny Squibb. The entire squad deserves a big, passionate crowd to hopefully cheer us on to another victory.

We have only three home double headers across the 2022 Sultana Bran Hockey One League season – with this being the second – and we need to make every match at Perth Hockey Stadium count. We need you.

Get down to the Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University this Saturday October 15 for our second match and cheer as loud as you can to help us get across the line against the Brisbane Blaze.

Both the men’s and women’s sides have had a great start, but each match is vital and that’s why we need everyone from across the state backing our Thundersticks and showing their support… and being loud and proud!

We appreciate the support… and it makes a huge difference. To everyone backing our Thundersticks crew, thank you… and see you at the game!

Sincerely, Phil Hulbert

THUNDERSTICKS PERTH MEN'S SQUAD

Will BATTISTESSA

DOB: 23/04/1998

Birthplace: Perth Club: Victoria Park

Position: Midfield

Chris BAUSOR

DOB: 10/11/1989

Birthplace: Perth Club: UWA

Position: Midfield

James COLLINS

DOB: 25/02/2000

Birthplace: Perth Club: Victoria Park

Position: Midfield

Bryn DE BES

DOB: 04/07/1996

Birthplace: East Fremantle Club: WASPs

Position: Midfield/Defender

Liam FLYNN

DOB: 30/04/1997

Birthplace: Harare, Zimbabwe Club: Hale

Position: Striker

Proudest achievement: Homeowner

Family background: All four Grandparents were born outside of Australia - Italy, Italy, Scotland and Burma.

Career outside of hockey: Event Promoter Career achievements: 2009 Burras member, Kookaburras debut in 2011.

Proudest achievement: Debut for the Kookaburras. Passion/interests outside of hockey: I enjoy camping, making and drinking coffee and have a little dog (border collie cross kelpie)

Family background:

My parents thought it would be funny to put a Welsh name (Bryn) in front of a Dutch surname (de Bes), which has caused me grief ever since baristas started asking for names.

Passion/interests outside of hockey: Golf, Fishing, Yellowstone the TV show.

Hockey links in family: Sister Kyra is captain of the women's Thundersticks team.

SUPPORTED BY PANTHERS MASTERS MEN

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THUNDERSTICKS PERTH

MEN'S SQUAD

Brodee FOSTER

DOB: 21/06/2002

Birthplace: Perth Club: Reds Position: Striker

Cambell GEDDES

DOB: 18/06/2002

Birthplace: Perth Club: UWA Position: Defender

Tim GEERS

DOB: 27/04/1994

Birthplace: Perth Club: Melville

Position: Midfield

Harry GOLDING

DOB: 11/02/2000

Birthplace: Perth Club: UWA

Position: Striker

Ross HALL

DOB: 03/05/1994

Birthplace: Duncraig Club: Melville

Position: Defender

Passion/interests outside of hockey: Love my golf and play as much as i possibly can with the time i have Little known fact about me: When I travel I like to find the best parmy when out for dinner I have a top three and the rest I try to forget about

Career outside of hockey: Sparky

Proudest achievement: Under-21s National Championships gold medal in 2022.

Career outside of hockey: Jockey Manager.

Proudest achievement: Captain for back to back premierships with Melville and coaching two gold medal sides in the U18s and U21s.

Career outside of hockey: Public Service

Career highlights: WA under-age representative, Thundersticks selection and debut in 2022.

Little known fact about me: I own over 100 hats.

Passions/interests outside of hockey: Golf, Call of Duty, Peaky Blinders series, NBA and MLB, Collecting Jordan Sneakers.

SUPPORTED BY HANNES GEBAUER

BY

SUPPORTED BY

THUNDERSTICKS PERTH

MEN'S SQUAD

Jake HARVIE

DOB: 05/03/1998

Birthplace: Bunbury Club: Westside Wolves Position: Midfield

Tom HARVIE

DOB: 01/02/2000 Birthplace: Bunbury Club: Westside Wolves Position: Defender

Tyler LOVELL

DOB: 23/05/1987 Birthplace: Perth Club: YMCC Position: Goalkeeper

Alistair MURRAY

DOB: 22/01/2000

Birthplace: Perth Club: Westside Wolves

Position: Midfield/Defender

Proudest achievement:

Playing for the Thundersticks with my brother Tom excited! Little-known fact about me: Re introduced the long hair look to men ’ s hockey

Proudest achievement:

Being named as a Australian Development Squad player and being selected in the Thundersticks to play alongside my brother for WA for the first time.

Little-known fact about me: I like gardening and growing my own food.

Best advice you've been given

The goal you just conceded might not lose the game, but if you are still thinking about that goal and let another goal in, that one might lose you the game - Jason Duff (HA Performance Analyst)

Ben RENNIE

DOB: 28/09/1990

Birthplace: Perth Club: Fremantle Cockburn

Position: Goalkeeper

Proudest achievement:

Playing a full season of hockey this year after four injury interrupted seasons

Little known fact about me: Makes a mean pesto pasta and sticky date pudding combo.

Proudest achievement: Debut for the Kookaburras.

Little known fact about me: I have a chocolate tri border collie named Jarrah (@jarrah_thebordercollie).

THUNDERSTICKS PERTH MEN'S SQUAD

Benjamin TAYLOR

DOB: 16/03/1998

Birthplace: Perth Club: Victoria Park

Position: Defender

Sasha THOMAS

DOB: 28/05/1997

Birthplace: Perth Club: Victoria Park

Position: Midfield

Tom WICKHAM

DOB: 26/05/1990

Birthplace: Mildura, Vic Club: UWA

Position: Striker

Matt WILLIS

DOB: 21/02/1991

Birthplace: Tamworth, NSW Club: Melville

Position: Striker

Aran ZALEWSKI

DOB: 21/03/1991

Birthplace: Margaret River Club: Reds

Position: Midfield

Proudest achievement: Moved abroad to Belgium and lived there for 8 months where I played hockey for Royal Pingouin Nivelles Little-known fact about me: I am actually quite funny if you are close enough to hear me

Passion/interests outside of hockey: Love to play Guitar and collect records Little known fact about me: Massive fan of F1. Have had tickets to the Singapore Grand Prix since April and will fly out immediately after round 1.

Family background: Moved around a lot in my early years, living in Broken Hill, Alice Springs, Morgan, Adelaide, Goolwa, Perth Passion/interests outside of hockey: Cycling, golf, camping, coffee, reading, table tennis

Career outside of hockey: Teacher Passion/interests outside of hockey: Playing in the best 8-a-side cricket team in Perth the mighty SSS and riding my bike.

Hockey achievements: 201 Kookaburras caps, 26 goals, 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medal, 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games gold medal

PERTH

g y y p , p p her club side Hale at the Premier League level and was awarded the Charlesworth Medal as the competition's Fairest and Best player.

Malan said she put her success this year down to feeling comfortable and relishing the opportunity to play high-level hockey post the pandemic.

“I think it is just because I am enjoying my hockey at the moment,” she said.

“In the past, there used to be a lot of pressure to perform, but now I am just having fun really.

“It is a good team environment; it is nice to go down to training and not an effort.

“I love being competitive, so it is nice to be able to play at this level again.”

The midfielder said there was a good vibe around the team this year and everyone was focused on a common goal of bringing home a maiden Hockey One title.

“The coaching staff have been great, they are switched on and doing their homework, which makes it easier for us as players,” Malan said.

“I think we have a really solid team this year with some really good girls, which makes a big difference.

“We are quite unified and everyone is on the same page

“We haven't played together for two and a half years now, so it is nice to play at a very high level.

“It is also nice to be travelling with the team again and being away with the team you build those connections.”

Thundersticks women’s coach Phil Hulbert said Malan was a driving factor in the side’s undefeated start to the year.

“She has been really good, really attacking, breaks lines and is having a really good tournament thus far,” Hulbert said.

“She is really coachable, which is a big part to it as well.

“Having midfielders that can score is pretty fantastic and takes a load off leaving it to just one or two people."

Malan said the side were now determined to make the most of their strong start to this year’s Sultana Bran Hockey One season.

“We said before the first game we have always wanted to do well in the past, but there is really something special about this year’s group,” Malan said.

“We have a good balance with a lot of youth and some good experience.

“Yes, we are confident, but we are very aware there are teams that could throw anything at us, so we need to take it one game at a time, focus on the process and follow the plan.

“I am pretty confident about how we will go if we keep playing the way we are playing.”

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