With the women’s AHL rapidly approaching, The Hockey Show put the hard word on Viper’s coach Toni Cumpston, who just happens to be the Assistant Coach for the Hockeyroos – to find out her thoughts about the Big V’s chances in Perth over the coming weeks…

THS: Toni, thanks for taking the time to speak to us. We know you’re chock-a-block with preparations and all so we’ll try to make this as quick and painless as possible so you can get onto the job at hand…

TC: No worries THS.

THS: It appears a much younger and inexperienced team than previous years this year, what has the selection criteria been for AHL 2008 and how are they fairing?

TC: The selection criteria for 2008 is the same as in previous years – players are selected from trials that are open to any female player who is a resident of Victoria. A minimum of level 10 on the beep test is required to be considered for selection in the Vipers squad and players are tested at the trials.
Not sure about the team being much younger than previous years but we have one of the oldest lists in the competition with an average age of 25. Queensland are the other state with the same average age and all the rest range from 22-24. Vic & ACT have the most players making their AHL debut with 6 each (this figure doesn’t include current international players) so in terms of AHL experience yes, we are one of the least experienced teams in the competition this year.

THS: How have you felt about the preparation of the girls?

TC: I have been really happy with the preparation of the girls. We started training in November last year focussing mainly on conditioning pre-Christmas and then starting on-ground in early January. From the end of January we have played practice matches most weeks on Saturdays and Tuesdays and these were great in terms of getting some much needed match conditioning leading into the AHL. We played against the men’s 40 division one vet’s team on Saturday mornings which was really good for the girls in terms of strength on the ball. We also had two week-ends with matches against SA & TAS which were again very useful.

THS: Who do you think is your main opposition heading into the tournament?

TC: QLD & WA have played off in the grand final for the last couple of years so I would expect them to figure in the finals again – both of these squads boast 7 & 5 Hockeyroos squad members. We played NSW in the play off for 3/4 last year and NSW have a similar squad to last year with 6 Hockeyroos so they will be up there again also. There are a number of changes in the other 4 states with ACT and SA both picking up 2 NZ international players each, NT have only 6 NT athletes included in their 18 with the rest being made up of WA, NSW, QLD and 3 overseas players. Tasmania have Victoria’s Rachael Lynch in goals who will certainly strengthen their defensive unit.
I think the competition this year has the potential to be the closest it has in a while so I think everyone will be our main opposition!

THS: You finished third at last years championships, what has to change to get the girls over the line?

TC: I think we need to be better able to convert our attacking circle penetrations – score more goals than the opposition! Yep – I reckon that would do it!!

THS: You’re the assistant coach to the Hockeyroos, with your inside knowledge what are the things that players will need to do in Perth to secure a place in the Olympic Squad?

TC: I think that players looking to break into the Hockeyroos squad will need to perform well in every match in the AHL and have an impact on each game. With only 4 months from the end of the AHL to the Olympics players not currently in the National Squad would have to stand out in Perth consistently to force their way into the squad at this time.

THS: Of the Victorian Vipers, who are the players to watch?

TC: I hate this question as I think all my players are worth watching.
In terms of National players obviously Imison and Trost, our two current Hockeyroos will both be looking to cement spots in the Olympic squad. Kary Chau, Stacia Joseph, Claire Messent and Sarah O’Connor who are all in the National Development squad at the moment will be trying to stake a claim for Hockeyroos selection also. We have a number of new young players who have brought some excitement into our game and enhance our scoring capacity in Schubach, Riordan, Cohen and Peake. Jess Monkivitch has returned from Holland and brings with her strength to add to our midfield. Merrett, Waley, Trahar & Elzinga have a wealth of experience between them and are all playing well at the moment and we have three overseas players in Burns, van Veenendaal and White who are currently playing hockey in Melbourne and will be playing their first AHL with the Vipers, these 3 have been training well and have fit into the group nicely.
Oops – I think I mentioned everyone, well there you go!!

THS: After the squad is announced, what happens in preparation for Beijing?

TC: The Hockeyroos squad is currently based in Perth and have been since mid to late January of this year. Any new squad members added at the end of AHL would need to relocate to Perth to join the group. The Hockeyroos have the Champions Trophy in Germany in May and matches against Japan in late June early July and then the Olympic team heads to Beijing late July.

THS: Thanks for your time Toni and all the best for the AHL.

TC: No worries guys, anytime.

The Victorian Vipers play off in the Australian Hockey League Championships in Perth from the 24th of March till the 5th of April.

The Hockey Show wishes them the best of luck.

Related posts:

1. VIPER’S STRIKE NOT SO POTENT.
2. BUSINESS SOCS
3. Victorian U21 Women
4. 2008 HOCKEYROO OLYMPIC SQUAD ANNOUNCED
5. Tulloch and Jenner amass 350

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