KYAH Gray’s preparation for the 2018 indoor world cup is well and truly on track, after turning in another strong showing in the green and gold.
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The Shoalhaven Heads product has recently returned from helping the Australian women’s indoor hockey team dominate their European tour.
“Our team went well – all the games were tough but over the 13 games we played, we managed to win 11 of them,” Gray said.
“The two games we didn’t win were against the Dutch national team and a club team that was on top of the first division comp over there.
“The Dutch were definitely the team to beat as they won the last World Cup.
“So losing one game and having a draw in the other was a pretty good effort.”
Gray, 22, was over the moon with the way she played on the 17-day tour – learning plenty that she intends to use in future international trips.
“Personally I felt that I played really well and helped the team as best I could,” she said.
“I felt really confident and scored lots of goals off drag-flicks on short corners.
“I got a hat-trick in the Belgium game and was also named player-of-the-match.”
Grays believes this tour was perfect preparation ahead of next year’s world cup, as her team now know the standard of hockey needed to be successful.
“The highlight of the trip was definitely drawing against the Dutch,” she said.
“They are such a good, well structured team and in all the games I have played against them, we have never gotten that close.
“Compared to other trips, I felt as a team we attacked more and controlled the game more.”
The team will rejoin at a camp in July, which will decide whether or not Gray will be picked for her second consecutive indoor world cup.
“Next we have a camp in July this year, from which they will be picking the World Cup team for 2018,” she said.
“So it’s important that I stay fit and in the best condition possible, to give myself the best chance of making that squad.
“Until then though, my attention turns to outdoor, where I will be playing for Sydney University in the Sydney Hockey Association.
“Our preseason has just started for that and I’m looking forward to the season ahead.”
The Sydney competition starts on March 25.