Sport
6 December, 2025
Shelby gets national call
SHELBY of Central Victoria’s brightest young sporting prospects are about to represent Australia on the world stage.
Wedderburn’s Shelby Giorlando will join the Australian Country Women’s Under 21 team on its two-week tour of Indonesia — a proud moment for the North Central Hockey Association and Wedderburn community and a reflection of the strong regional pathways supporting young players.
She’ll be touring alongside North West Lightning teammates Deacon Evans and Flynn Boyd, who have been preparing for months to take their place in the Australian Country Under 21 men’s team.
Evans and Boyd play with Bendigo clubs.
“It’s clear evidence of the strength of hockey development across north-west Victoria,” said tour manager Jeff Sly.
“To have three young people of this quality coming out of one region is just remarkable.”
Also joining the tour is North West Lightning men’s coach Chris Mitchell, who will step into the role of Australian Country men’s assistant coach for the first time.
“It’s a great chance to learn, and bring some of that knowledge back to local programs,” Mitchell said.
“Deacon, Flynn and Shelby have worked really hard to be selected, first for Victoria, and now the national country under-21s. They’re a great example of the pathways now open to young country players.”
The Australian Country Under 21 men’s and women’s teams will play seven games during the tour, including two matches against the Indonesian senior national teams.
Those games are scheduled for Jakarta’s national stadium this week.
“The Indonesian men are ranked 75 in the world, and the women 74,” Sly said.
“Both are in final preparations for the South East Asian Games, so it gives us a great opportunity to play against teams with plenty to play for.”