Senior Hockey At 12 Years Of Age

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30155, 12 June 1963, Page 13

Senior Hockey At 12 Years Of Age

A SENIOR player since she x * was 12, Miss G. Le Comte, a member of the New Zealand women’s hockey team which will tour the United States in August, must be one of the team’s keenest members.

Before becoming a valued member of the Tinwald senior team, which competes in the Ashburton association’s competition. Miss Le Comte for several years had to travel upwards of 23 miles by motor-scooter to play in senior competition. Notwithstanding this handicap. she has developed into a versatile player, quick in anticipation and strong in defence. Although a left-

half, Miss Le Comte is equally at home as a ce nitre - half and has also played many games as a forward. Miss Le Comte’s first introduction to hockey was playing for the Coalgate Hockey Club in the Malvern association's senior grade competition. She was only 12 at the time and confessed that it “was not much of a team.”

Eight years ago she moved from her parents’ farm at Whitecliffs to stay with her married sister in Methven. Because there was no hockey in the district, she played basketball for six months. However, a hockey club was formed, and she played for the senior team for two years.

When no senior team could be formed, Miss Le Comte had' to travel to Rakaia, where she played with success.

Her association with the Tinwald club began when she moved to Ashburton, and she is now in her third year with the team.

No stranger to representative hockey, Miss Le Comte first played for Ashburton in 1955.

“Although I travelled to tournaments. I was never selected for the inter-island matches,” she said. Miss Le Comte has also tried her hand at indoor basketball, skating, tennis, and fishing.