SIMULATING city hockey fields by playing on a tennis court has paid dividends for 11 Bega boys.
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Bega’s under 15s representative squad took to the courts to mimic the conditions they would face in Goulburn and Sydney in the past two weeks.
Team manager, or “mumager” as the team calls her, Lisa Milton said she was thrilled by the performance the team has displayed.
“The hard-working boys trained on a tennis court to simulate pitch conditions,” Milton said.
Milton said the unique training method provided the squad a means of matching the synthetic pitch.
“They showed the city boys how adaptable country kids are,” Milton said.
“It was really lucky the Bega Tennis Club allowed us to do it.
“I called other clubs and they said no.”
Milton said the team had been competing in the regional representative games, which included teams from as far north as Newcastle.
The squad has been on the road, but had plenty of support from a fleet of families and coach David Rodgers.
“Most of the parents travel with the team, there is plenty of driving involved,” Milton said with a laugh.
Two weeks ago the squad competed in Goulburn where Milton said they had “several wins, a couple of draws and a few close losses”.
“While challenged, the boys held their own in good company,” she said.
Milton said the team had no reserve players, but plenty of enthusiasm.
“[They have] no substitutes, just sheer guts and determination,” she said.
The squad will head to Canberra this weekend to take on more teams.
“We know they will do the Bega Valley proud.”