HOCKEY: A setback like the Coronavirus pandemic wasn’t going to stop young Owen Taylor from chasing his dreams on the hockey field.
The 13-year-old was set to attend the National Hockey Championships in Hobart last September with the help of a $500 Hervey Bay RSL Community Grant, but the event was unfortunately cancelled.
Instead, Owen played with the Under 13 Boys Queensland Cutters team at a Brisbane camp in late November and won four and tied two games played over the three-day competition.
The young go-getter’s skill was evident on the field after being one of 10 players selected to attend the U15 Queensland Boys Trials this month.
Owen first stepped out onto the field as a four-year-old and as his skills grew, so did his dream of one day representing Australia in the Kookaburras Olympic Games team.
The success of the camp has put him one step closer to this dream.
“My goal is to continue to make Queensland teams from representative hockey and school hockey and continue to improve my skills and fitness to be the best hockey player and teammate I can be,” Owen said.
“I want to lead by example on and off the field with a positive attitude and willingness to do my best to achieve my goals to play in the Olympics ultimately.
“One of the best highlights of the camp was being able to play with a number of other high skilled players, learning from high-performance coaches and Olympic athletes.”
The RSL is proud to support passionate athletes like Owen.
The grant helped cover the cost of a compulsory uniform, team levy, transportation, accommodation, and food.
“I would like to thank the RSL for the assistance in helping me achieve my goals with this grant.
“It all helps with costs as sport is very expensive to participate in, and it’s businesses like this that help young people like me to achieve my goals.”
If selected at the Queensland trials, Owen will go on to compete in the Nationals in New South Wales later this year.
Best of luck, Owen!
