Sport
27 October, 2022
Europe can wait
EXCITING Wedderburn hockey player Shelby Giorlando has teamed with top Australian coach Luke Doerner. The Olympian now playing with Tassie Tigers has taken on Shelby after performances on the international and national circuits this year. Shelby had...
EXCITING Wedderburn hockey player Shelby Giorlando has teamed with top Australian coach Luke Doerner.
The Olympian now playing with Tassie Tigers has taken on Shelby after performances on the international and national circuits this year.
Shelby had been offered a training slot in Europe after representing Australia against top European and and North American sides in the 16 and under mini-World Cup in Europe in August.
Father Steve said: “Shelby was really pleased to be offered a spot in Europe where for some countries, hockey is the No 1 sport.”
“But Shelby decided not yet ... perhaps in a few years.”
“We went over to watch Shelby play and the Netherlands were the No 1 one team in the age group with players 6’ 1” tall.”
The Australian girls came second in the international tournament and within weeks of returning, Shelby was lining up for Victoria at the national schools’ event in Hobart.
That was where the link was made with Doerner, said Steve.
“Although another daughter Chelsea had to sub for Shelby in the final three games when Shelby dislocated her thumb.”
Steve said Shelby was excited to be training with Doerner.
Doerner won a bronze medal for Australia in men’s hockey in 2008.
The Victorian defender was a late bloomer in his sport, not making his international debut for the Kookaburras until he was 25. Doerner performed strongly at his Olympic debut in Beijing. As well as his energetic defence, Doerner scored twice from penalty corners in the tournament.
This included a goal in Australia’s 6-2 win over the Netherlands in the bronze medal final.
His other successes with the Kookaburras included a gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2005 Champions Trophy title.
Shelby has also been selected in the Melbourne Futures squad after trialling with 120 girls for selection.
And continuing the Giorlando family’s participation in high level hockey, daughter Sam has just returned from umpiring the gold medal match in the Australian Masters tournament played in Cairns.