Douglas Cool Runnings

Local sportsgirls here in Douglas and beyond have emulated the Bobsleigh team’s grit and determination and made it into the final of the Under 13 State Championship Division 3. The girls, who play with the Douglas Hockey Association, were in Ipswich to play in the Hockey Queensland State Championship and fought their way into the final. A fairy-tale whichever way you look at it.

The team was made up of 5 Douglas players, 4 Atherton players and 5 from the Brisbane area. The 14 girls met for the first time the day before the tournament and trained together for only one hour with a coach who obviously had a magic wand. Many of these girls had never played on turf fields either. Lots of people, even within their own club, had written the team off before they left on their journey, and it took a long time to recognise just what was unfolding.

For example, Kaydee Reynolds mum Veronica told Newsport “As parents, we were praying for a few goals to be scored to give them a boost, but you can imagine what the first win reaction was from us here in Douglas? and to beat a Cairns team was ridiculous” she said.

The motley crew that no one knew, soon became the talk of the tournament and many parents had to change their flights home as the team advanced further up the ladder. Eventually they made it into the final. They were beaten by the team from Tweed, the only team that conquered them the entire competition.

Goalie outstanding and team magnificent

Their coach Louise Oliver told Newsport that captain and goalkeeper Mia O’Neill showed leadership skills way beyond her years “in fact all of these girls have demonstrated the essence of team sport by supporting each other every step of the way while being backed by family and friends” she said. Ms Oliver went on to say they the girls have forged friendships for life within the team and she couldn’t be prouder of them as a group.

What do they say? A champion team will always beat a team of champions. That was no more evident than at Ipswich recently.