Only high flying Wolves 15s stop Marconi Stallions stampede
Marconi Stallions proved too strong for the Wollongong Wolves last weekend in all grades of soccer’s premier youth league except for the well performed Wolves 15s. Wollongong’s 15s came back from their first loss to Blacktown the previous weekend to score a convincing 4 nil win over their high placed opponents.
In the other grades Marconi teams picked up wins without conceding a goal. The full results of Round 10 for the Wollongong Wolves and the Marconi Stallions were:
Under 18: Marconi 3 Wolves nil
Under 16: Marconi 2 Wolves nil
Under 15: Wollongong 4 Marconi nil
Under 14: Marconi 2 Wollongong nil
Under 13: Marcon1 1 Wollongong nil
Casey’s Chase for an Olympic Dream.
By Reece Carter.
 Casey Eastham may be only 19-years old, but the teenage sensation is on the verge of becoming the youngest Hockeyroos player to represent our country at this year’s Beijing Olympics. In 2007, Casey faced the daunting task of having to relocate to Perth to train at the Australian Institute of Hockey, but the ‘baby’ of the squad now sees it as a challenge and experience for the better.
Alone on a plane, it could’ve been easy for Casey to regret her decision to leave home. However, in between the sobs of homesickness and a churning stomach, she was able to set her sights on her goals.
“It was really sad leaving but I knew it was the chance of a lifetime and I had to give it a shot,” she says. “The trip to the airport wasn’t the best, I cried the whole way and didn’t stop until a week later.”
But if all this rewards Casey with a place in the Hockeyroos Olympic team, the tears and hard work will be worth it. And there has been a lot of hard work.
Casey has played hockey ever since her parents let her hold a stick. Even at the age of five, she had the steely determination that would see her one day move up the ranks to the hockey elite. Playing at club level for Albion Park however doesn’t come with the hype and pressures of being in the public eye.
“I think I’m recognised a bit more now, you catch people staring and pointing at you and sometimes overhear things, but to tell you the truth it’s kind of nice to know that people notice you and it’s for something good,” Casey says.
If she wasn’t already, Casey Eastham is now a name to be familiar with. She has escaped the shadows of being an ordinary schoolgirl and is now known as the local “hockey chick” with a big future.
“I don’t mind being in the spotlight as such, because you don’t see us splashed across the front page of the paper every day so we don’t get hassled, but it’s nice when kids in the hockey community come up and want autographs.”
Her mother, Janette, says that Casey has handled the attention extremely well and has always had the talent and potential to succeed having played well above her age throughout her junior career.
“Casey has been fantastic with it all and very realistic about her chances. She has a good head on her shoulders, her feet are on the ground and she has been very mature about it all considering her age. Living away from home hasn’t been easy either; she doesn’t have the advantage like the WA girls being close to home with family and friends.”
“Five years ago she was obviously playing under 14 hockey with the older girls and boys and has come through in leaps and bounds as she made her way up the ages. The family is very proud of her.”
 The Hockeyroos have been crowned Australia’s Team of the Year five times, and from the past four Olympic Games have won an astonishing three gold medals. However, this year’s Olympics aren’t going to be easy, with the side ranked fourth behind the Netherlands, Argentina and Germany.
“This year, every team is actually really strong in their own way,” Casey says. “The Asian teams- Japan, China and Korea - are always a challenge because they’re really fit, disciplined and extremely good with the basics… it’s going to be very close.”
With the Hockeyroos squad full of experienced players, Casey is battling for one of four midfield spots. After an outstanding performance at the recent Australian Hockey League (AHL) tournament however, her chances are as good as the rest of the field.
“I was really happy with my performance as I was named Players Player in the team so hopefully that’s a good indication that I went well. I have always hoped that I would make an Olympic team but I just wasn’t sure how life would pan out, but so far is has been all good and hopefully will stay that way.”
Dapto almost end Wests unbeaten run
Wests Cardinals extended their unbeaten run in the 2008 Illawarra Baseball League premiership with a 9-8 win over Dapto Chiefs in the round five fixture at Cringila Park on Saturday. Despite being outhit 12-10 and committing five errors to the opposition’s three, Cardinals fought hard in the middle innings after the visitors took a 6-4 lead with five runs scored in the top of the fourth.
Josh Dean powered Cardinals to a lead they would not relinquish when he slugged a grand slam home run in the bottom of the inning. Chiefs attempted to make up the deficit scoring in the sixth and eighth but pulled up one run short in their effort.
Trent D’Antonio (3 from 4) and Chase Richardson (3 from 5) headed Cards batting while Mitch Thompson recorded three hits for Chiefs.
Blake Handley and Jamie Simon shared the pitching duties for Cardinals with four innings each. Handley allowed three earned runs on seven hits and Simon allowed two earned runs on five hits. Tim Inglis pitched four innings for seven earned runs and reliever Aaron Wirth was effective with one earned run and one hit in three innings.
In the other game premiers Berkeley Eagles took out their revenge for last week's loss with a 16-1 trouncing of Kiama Braves at Kiama Downs. Eagles outhit Braves 12-7 but Braves cause was not helped by the six errors committed.
Chad Blanch, Keith Ward and Stuart Thompson all registered two hits for Eagles, Thompson monstering a solo homer in the seventh. Evan Hayes and Josh Parker gained two hits each for Braves.
Next week’s round six fixtures has Berkeley Eagles playing Wests Cardinals at Eagles Field, Fred finch Park, Berkeley and Bulli Pirates hosting Dapto Chiefs at Thomas Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow. Kiama Braves have the bye but play lower grade games against Shoalhaven Mariners at No. 2 Field, Fred Finch Park, Berkeley.
Sports officials can now learn online
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is pleased to announce that the online Introductory Level Officiating General Principles course is now available on the ASC Learning Portal at https://learning.ausport.gov.au
The course is aimed at beginner level officials, and covers three modules of training; Self Management, Managing the Competition Environment and People Management. The course takes approximately four hours to complete, and there is assessment included within the course. The online course is available free of charge to Australian officials.
For further details go to portal or contact Nicole den Duyn, Senior Sports Consultant, Coaching and Officiating Unit, Australian Sports Commission, Tel: 62147970; Mob: 0407 401 867; nicole.denduyn@ausport.gov.au; ausport.gov.au
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