Inline…
HOCKEY
BLUEY’S FORESIGHT
JOHN FORSYTH
Inline Hockey became popular in
Cairns in the mid 1990s and the city
has not failed to produce top Australian
players ever since.
Cairns is the adopted home of the
current Australian Women’s team
captain, Kylie Grevell, who has recently
returned from the World Cup Roller
Games in China.
Originally hailing from Gladstone,
Kylie’s move to Cairns five years ago
has been a bonus for local skaters. No
doubt, Kylie’s 20+ years of experience
in the sport is helping the younger
players reach their potential as she is
also a highly accredited coach.
Kylie is proud to have the honour of
captaining the team as they achieved
their highest world rankings - placing
eighth overall, a marked improvement
on previous achievements.
“Team bonding is slightly challenging,
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when your team members come from
all over the country,” Kylie says. “We
improved our world ranking this year
at the World Cup, mainly because we
have been together as a team for a few
years now. We know how each other
thinks.”
She was joined in China by Cairns
skaters, Emily Conley, who represented
Australia in the Junior Women’s team,
Des Sutton in the Australian Masters
World Cup team, and Byron Maher in
the Junior Men’s team.
Cairns was well represented at
the National Titles in Victoria in
September, with eleven individual
players attending in a variety of
divisions.
The youngsters, Tuskan Sheridan
(U9s), Ryder Sheridan (U13s) and Eli
Reid (U15s) travelled with Jeremy
Coates, Darby Conley, Byron Maher,
Emily Conley, Kylie Grevell, David
Elms, Scott Wingate and Des Sutton
showed the southerners what Cairns
is made of.
“I am so proud of all these kids. They
have worked hard, they know what’s
required at training and they go over
and above the regular training to
improve their skills,” Kylie beams with
pride.
No one can question the dedication
and commitment of these kids,
especially as they were faced with the
prospect of the closure of the Cairns
Skating Rink last year.
I look forward to watching the progress
of these youngsters and no doubt
there are others in the Cairns skating
community who will also be destined
for the green and gold.
Be well, Bluey