Announced at the CL1’s Brophy McKay Presentation on September 15, Bone was the only University of Canberra Hockey Club (UCHC) player named in the 11-strong team dominated by Tuggeranong Vikings and Australian National University stars.

The UCHC skipper was named at left striker in the side.

“It’s been a good couple of years for me,” Bone said, banging home 11 goals in 16 games for her side.

“If you’re scoring a few goals you’re getting noticed, which is nice. Obviously I’m captaining UC as well and it’s a pretty young squad with the number of juniors we’ve got coming through. I’m not the oldest but I’m probably one of the more experienced players in the team.

“I’m sort of a captain-mentor for the girls. I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Making this year even more enjoyable has been the presence of another former Orange product, Reita Holmes, in Bone’s UCHC team.

“It’s nice to have another Orange girl in the side,” she said.

The CL1 Team of the Year is decided by the league’s coaches, with each mentor nominating players they think have shone in each position throughout the season.

“It’s a pretty cool process,” Bone added.

And the honour will no doubt serve as a confidence-boosting springboard heading into the Australian Hockey League in October.

Bone has been named alongside twin sister and Australian Commonwealth Games gold medallist Edwina in the Canberra Strikers team to contest this year’s women’s AHL premiership from October 4, and with Edwina flying back from Perth on Friday and then on to Brisbane on Monday, Meredith was pumped heading into this year’s Strikers campaign.

“Seeing Eddie play at the Commonwealth Games and at the World Cup, you sort of sit back and reflect and I’m definitely excited to be playing in the AHL this year,” Bone said.

“It’s a step up, obviously it’s not a step up to World Cup level or anything like that, but in terms of national hockey it’s going to be a different level for me. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

Team of the Year: Peta Sutherland (goalkeeper, ANU), Tamika Bostock (left back, TVWHC), Sassie Economos (right back, TVWHC), Tina Taseska (left half, Central), Jessica Smith (right half, ANU), Shelley Watson (centre half, ANU), Jenna Cartwright (centre half, ANU), Naomi Evans (left inner, St Pats), Kalindi Commerford (right inner, TVWHC), Meredith Bone (left striker, UCHC), Laura Gray (right striker, St Pats).