A young Shepparton hockey star has made another leap in her already blossoming career.
After representing Victoria at the national championships in Hobart earlier this year, Strikers Hockey Club’s Emme Cole has been invited to be a train-on player for Hockey Club Melbourne’s Futures side.
Hockey Club Melbourne is the only Victorian elite men’s and women’s side in the Hockey One League — the highest-ranked competition in Australia.
Cole said she was thrilled to be part of an elite futures program.
“It feels really good,” Cole said.
“Last year, I wasn’t on the team, I didn’t even try out.
“This year, I thought I would give it a go and just to make the squad was a big surprise.
“I am very grateful for that.”
A tough and dashing defender in her own right, Cole now has the opportunity to learn from some of the best hockey players in the country.
Cole said she was excited to learn how to train like an elite athlete from some of her hockey heroes.
“With the HCM — the Futures team — there is an adult team called Hockey Melbourne,” she said.
“Being on the Futures team is great due to that connection.
“Sometimes you are training with them and get to go to their games and observe them.
“Through the program, you go to Perth, Canberra and Queensland to play other states’ academies that they have.”
Cole was ecstatic to make the state side in April, although the 16-year-old said she and the team were disappointed with the results they got, as Victoria came fifth out of 12 sides — most states had two teams compete.
However, the young gun defender said her time with the state side was still an invaluable learning experience for her hockey career.
“Because it's the state team, the coaches really help with developing your skills and performance,” she said.
“They push you further — it is the same with Futures.
“We are getting amazing coaches and the quality of coaching will be fantastic, along with the drills and the fitness.”
Cole will train with the Futures side two times a week at Hockey Club Melbourne’s home base in North Melbourne.