News

Lynkon eyes hockey goals

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 05:34:00

One of Sunraysia’s brightest young hockey players says encouragement from mentors and role models has raised the bar on his expectations for the season now underway.

16-year-old Lynkon Thorpe, took up the sport after a Hook into Hockey Program at primary school, and has had a stick in his hand virtually ever since.
“I did play footy last season, but hockey is really where I want to be,” Lynkon said.
“I’ve just always liked it and it’s always come naturally to me, but this year I’m really focussed on just seeing what I can do,” he said.
Lynkon has received sponsorship through Mallee District Aboriginal Services to help support the demanding travel program needed to try out, potentially in two states, for representative honors.  He’s also received sponsorship from equipment supplier Hooked on Hockey, the Blue Light committee and the Clontarf Academy.
“Living in Mildura, you can try out both for South Australia and Victoria, so I haven’t really decided which way to go, yet, but you are able to do both,” Lynkon said.
“It’s not just the games and the tryouts, but there’s training as well, so it is a fair bit of time and expense, so I’m lucky to get the support of so many people.”
Also on Lynkon’s schedule this season are the Under 17 Junior Country Championships next month; the SA Junior State Championships in June and the Victorian Junior State Championships in July.
Lynkon said although he had always been drawn to hockey, it was a talk from former women’s Hockeyroos star Nova Peris that inspired him to pursue the sport seriously.
“I was already right into hockey but when Nova Peris gave us a talk at school about two years ago, I got pretty pumped, knowing there were other Aboriginal players playing and at the top levels,” Lynkon said.
“She basically told us it was all about never giving up and keeping on trying even when you get setbacks.  That’s what I intend to do,” he said.
Lynkon plays both B and A-Grade Men for Koowinda, in the Sunraysia Hockey Association, getting in “as many games a week as I can”.
Although he spent underage seasons as a goalkeeper, he’s relishing playing forward.
“I love scoring goals, preferably a lot of goals!  But I just look to play my role, really, whatever the team needs me to do.”
Association president Jane Green said she had no doubt Lynkon was one of the brightest hockey prospects she’d seen in recent years.
“His skills are terrific and his attitude is spot-on – it’s great to see him getting a little bit of support to see just how far he can go,” she said.
Sunraysia Hockey Association’s 2018 season kicked off on Friday night and Saturday.