By Dongyun Kwon
While other students were taking a break to get ready for the next school term, four Healesville students had special experience, representing Victoria at the nationwide competition.
Inline Hockey Australia National Championships 2024 was held from 29 September to 5 October in the City of Logan, Queensland.
Healesville High School Year 7 student Madison Prendergast participated in the event playing for the U11 Victorian Team along with a student from Healesville Primary School and two students from St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School.
“I was really excited to represent my state,” Madison said.
“It was a really good experience because I got to meet a lot of new people.
“I’ve learnt how to be a team and social skills [through the experience of Nationals].”
To represent Victoria, she had to get through try-out showing her skating and hockey skills to the coaches and was selected as a defender of the U11 Victorian Team.
Unfortunately, the U11 Victorian Team lost all of its games, unlike last year when they finished second place.
“Last year, we had a lot of better players,” Madison said.
“This year, other teams were really good [compared to last year].”
The defender learns inline hockey through Lilydale Rats Inline Hockey Club, having training on every Tuesday and practice game on every Thursday.
Her brother, who joined the club one year earlier, motivated her to start learning inline hockey.
“My little brother started playing three years ago. I saw him playing Nationals, and then I decided to play,” Madison said.
“I’ve played for two years.”
