Lower Great Southern Hockey Association with five players in WA Country side for Country Challenge in Albany

The Lower Great Southern Hockey Association will have a strong representation in the WA Country women’s team for the national championships in Albany next month. Five LGSHA players have been named in the 18-strong WA Country women’s team for the Hockey Australia Country Challenge, which is returning after a two-year hiatus. North Albany’s Beck Gallimore, Mt Barker pair Zali Spencer and Laura Archer, Spencer Park’s Bonnie Crook and Manypeaks’ Laura Cinanni will all pull on the yellow and black shirt in front of home fans from August 6-13. They are part of a strong WA country side that will do battle with New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Defence Force. Spencer will play for WA Country for the fourth time while Gallimore and Archer will represent their State for the third time. This year will be Crook’s second selection with the WA team and Cinanni will make her debut in State colours. The LGSHA contingent are looking forward to playing at home in the major national carnival. Gallimore has returned to hockey after the birth of her child and said playing for WA in her hometown meant a lot. “This one is probably the most special,” Gallimore said. “Getting back three months after having a baby. “I’ve been trying to hang on, I’m probably the oldest in the team, and go to the Albany one and it’s finally here.” The 35-year-old will play a prominent role in midfield for WA and said the hosts had a strong team. “I think we’ve had a fair few changes to the original team (announced) so it will just be a matter of gelling,” she said. “There is always games you can win and always going to be some difficult games that if you play well you can still get on top.” Spencer, originally from Wagin, recently moved to Frankland River and has just returned to the pitch after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The 22-year-old made her WA country debut as a teenager in 2015 and this will be her fourth championships. “Think this is actually the most special tournament I’ve had because I did my ACL at the start of last year,” Spencer said. “I’ve had 15 months off and played all of two games before country week. “It’s really special, it’s on home ground and I’ve worked incredibly hard to get back here and get back into the side so I’m damn excited to get back out there.” Archer will be in her third carnival for WA and said it was really pleasing to have a big LGSHA representation. “This is big for Albany and the (LGSHA) but to have 10 locals playing between men and women is even better,” the 28-year-old midfielder said. “I think lot of the locals are pretty excited to come down and watch and see some good hockey being played. “We will have a pretty even, well-balanced side and a lot of strengths, not too many weaknesses.” Crook is one of two goalkeepers named and played in the last championships contested in 2019. “I think it’s really special, I don’t think there will something like this in Albany for quite a long time, especially not for hockey,” the 22-year-old said. “So to bring it down here and to have five of us representing WA is special for each of us and just really exciting.” Cinanni will be on debut and said she was not sure what to expect. “Individually just hold my own a little bit, it’s always a bit nerve-racking when it’s a big competition and just make sure you do your part for the team,” the 23-year-old said. “I have no expectations of what will come of the tournament, I haven’t played in one before, don’t really know what to expect but hoping we come away from each game happy and proud of what we’ve put out on the field. “I’ll be playing striker, so hopefully come away with a few goals, get a few shots and keep the pressure on up front.” Tenille Yandle will be the head coach of the WA Country women’s side for the third time. WA Country women’s team Beck Gallimore, Zali Spencer, Laura Archer, Laura Cinanni, Bonnie Crook (Lower Great Southern), Emily Ballantyne, Zeta O’Rourke (Upper Great Southern), Tess Rowling, Cassie Nicol, Emma Storm, Erin Harwood, Nelmarie De Swardt (Eastern Goldfields), Melanie Baldwin (Eastern Districts), Emily Hegney (Esperance), Lauren Newman, Emma Bowen (Geraldton), Bellwyn Fairclough (Avon), 18th player to be named.