Manypeaks' Slattery shines for Diamonds

Manypeaks hockey product Kathryn Slattery has been selected in the 2012 WA Diamonds Squad for the first time, in another major boost to her budding career.

Slattery, who now resides in Perth, will join Hockeyroos Kobie McGurk, Ashleigh Nelson, Hope Munro, Jayde Taylor and Fiona Boyce, who all competed at the London Olympics in the sandgropers team.

The 18-year-old said her selection was a dream come true and was excited by the opportunity ahead.

“I am pretty stoked,” Slattery said.

“It will be amazing to play with the Olympians, who have so much knowledge and experience.”

The initial squad of 28 players and four development athletes was named last week but will cut to a final team of 18 players in mid-September.

The Diamonds will play in the Australian Hockey League in Perth on October 16-27 later this year.

Slattery said she must continue her good form, from the under-21 women’s national championships last month, for her local premier league team WASPS.

“They have selected a lot from the 21’s,” Slattery said.

“But it’s important you are consistent at your club level as well.”

Her training schedule will increase even more now with the Diamonds commitments, who will train three times a week on top of Slattery’s one club session and three WA Institute of Sport training sessions.

Despite the increased training load, Slattery was confident she could make the final 18 Diamonds members.

“If I put a lot of effort into it and play good club hockey I think I can make it,” she said.

“I really hope things work out well…for a young player to break into that squad would be a big thing.”

This season the AHL has become a two-week tournament in one city rather than a round robin format played right around Australia across two months like previous years.

cameron.newbold@albanyadvertiser.com