US hockey players visit coast

jodie28011 Jodie Schulz

contributed

THE Sunshine Coast will play a key role in the Hockeyroos preparations for this year's London Olympics by hosting the team's three-match series against the US over the Easter weekend.

The two world class line ups will do battle at the Sunshine Coast hockey complex at Buderim from Thursday, April 5 to Sunday, April 8.

A practice match between the US side and a Queensland Academy of Sport or Australian Hockey League squad has also been proposed for Wednesday, April 4.

The Hockeyroos preparations for the upcoming Olympics will be crucial to its aim of improving on its fifth place finish at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Tournament event director of the Sunshine Coast Hockey Association Bruce Potts said the announcement of the series was a great thrill for local hockey enthusiasts and a credit to all who contributed to the local facility's upgrade.

"We are incredibly excited to host the upcoming series between the Hockeyroos and the US," Mr Potts said

"Over the last 12 months there have been significant upgrades to our facility, including the laying of a brand new synthetic surface, the complete re-installation of our lighting system.

"From Hockey Australia, along with the great support from Hockey Queensland, it is a wonderful recognition of what Sunshine Coast hockey can offer, not only as a top class facility, but also for the region by hosting this event here."

Mr Potts also commented that the timing of the series would enable hockey fans from all over Queensland to watch the Hockeyroos in action.

"The Easter weekend sees a huge influx of visitors to the Coast and we look forward to many hockey fans coming from all over the south-east Queensland region to watch the test matches," he said.

Jodie Schulz, 24, of Wamuran is one of the Hockeyroos newest and biggest stars.

In 2011, Schulz was a nominee for the Sunshine Coast Senior Sport Star of the Year award after debuting for the Hockeyroos and firmly establishing her position in the side as a penalty corner specialist.

Schulz also captained the Hockeyroos in two matches against China in Perth last year as a stand-in for regular captain Madonna Blyth.