STILL GOING: Confederates will look to continue their development in 2013 with players like Hayley Wakefield. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0714fedshock5
CONFEDERATES will be out to continue their development in the women’s Premier League Hockey competition this season.
The side returned to the region’s top level competition last year after four years away.
It was a tough return as they recorded one win and a draw from 16 games to finish the 2012 season in second last on the ladder.
Confederates senior player Renee Burrell said the team hopes to continue to improve in 2013 with the season starting today.
“We’re still very much in the early stages of the development of the team,” Burrell explained.
“It’s the start of probably a five-year plan by the end of which we should be very competitive.
“We still want to build the side. If we give younger members more and more game time they’ll get stronger and more confident.”
Burrell said it looked like all the players from last year will return for this season and they will be joined by a few new faces.
Graeme Bell has returned to coach the side for a second season.
Confederates will have a tough start to the season going up against Parkes United today.
Parkes finished at the bottom of the competition ladder last year without recording a win.
Burrell said today’s season opener between Confederates and Parkes should be interesting.
“They probably view us the same way we view them - a sure win,” she said.
“It will be a scramble and we can’t give up until the game is finished.
“We’d love to start the season with a win. That would give us some good confidence.”
Confederates and Parkes United will meet at the Orange Hockey Centre today at 2.35pm.
