OUTSIDE expectations on Ex-Services have grown after the side finished an admirable third last season, but blue and golds stalwart Leanne Kennewell said her side won’t even think about their goals until much later in the year.

Ex-Services produced some stunning hockey toward the back end of the 2015 women’s Premier League Hockey season, before bowing out in the preliminary final courtesy of a shoot-out loss to Bathurst City.

Considering the side had a number of new inclusions last year but still gelled well, many in the hockey community are suggesting with a year together under their belts Ex-Services should, realistically, be among the title favourites in 2016.

“We started playing some really good hockey at the end of last season in the last five or six games, so hopefully that can roll into this season. But, we’re not going to be focussing on any of that this early in the year,” Kennewell said.

“We have kept the majority of our group together though. We’ve lost a couple and gained a couple, but the nucleus of the side is still there.

“Girls like Chloe (Barrett), Madie (Smith), Ellen (Van Hoek), Haley (Butcherine) and Shian (Duboc) are playing again, as is Erin Horan who was one of our better players in goal last year, and Tiff Atkinson really stepped up too so I’m looking forward to seeing how she goes.”

Kennewell said the club is yet to officially confirm their 2016 coaching staff, but have “a pretty good idea” of who will mentor the side.

The club started training on Wednesday night.

“We [did] start training on Wednesday night. A lot of the girls have been doing their own thing, and we’re all active,” Kennewell said.

“We all play touch or do something over the off-season, but everyone knows where they need to be (at this time of year).”

Ex-Services will train at 7pm every Wednesday, at Orange Hockey Complex, and anyone interested in playing for the club should contact Kennewell on 0418 630 975