Wanniassa High hockey hopeful sets sights on the Brisbane Olympics

Lani Hill was just eight years old when she started playing hockey in teams full of teenagers.

“It was pretty scary,” she said.

“My opponents were much bigger, faster and more skilful than me.

“But that experience helped me develop a knowledge of the game at a young age. It made me the player I am today.”

The now 14-year-old has kicked off 2025 by winning four player of the match awards and the overall woman of the tournament gong at the annual Under 14 national indoor hockey championship, which was held in Lyneham in mid-January.

Lani, who lives in Monash, plays as a sweeper or fullback in indoor hockey and as a midfielder in the outdoor version of the sport.

“I’m known as a utility player who can play any position and help out the team wherever. I’m also the vice-captain.”

She took up the sport at age four and now trains up to six days a week, with Friday generally her only rest day.

“I have to pick her up from her south-side school at 3 pm and get her over to training on the north side of town by 4 pm, which can be a bit of a mission. We make it work and get it there,” explained dad Jai Hill.

“She has worked so hard. Words can’t describe how proud I am that she’s received this recognition.”

The Wanniassa High School student has a clear objective.

“My goal is to represent the Hockeyroos at the Brisbane Olympics 2032,” she said.

“I’m now trialling for the Under 16s, aiming to play in a tournament in Adelaide.”

She says that Kookaburra Eddie Ockenden is her favourite player.

“I also look up to my Dad, who plays hockey too, and Hockeyroo Rosie Malone,” she said.

Lani is also a proud redhead; an attribute she believes is an asset.

“Everyone says that redheads are better at sport!”

The U14 Indoor Tournament she aced was organised and run by the national body, Hockey Australia, and held at the National Hockey Centre in Lyneham.

The indoor teams were selected from trials in the ACT where around 23 athletes registered, with the final team narrowed down to 12 players.

Hockey ACT says it always welcomes new players to the sport.

A club ‘winter’ season, which is the outdoor 11 aside competition, runs from March to September for seniors and May to September for juniors.

Once the club’s outdoor season has finished, the club’s indoor season runs from October to March, with a break over Christmas and New Year.

In the lead-up to the season, Hockey ACT runs a few key events, the biggest being the Come and Try Weekend, to be held on the weekend of 1-2 March 2025.

There is also School Holiday Programs/Skills Academy for kids ages 5 to 16, where new kids can come and try or returning kids can refine their skills.

Further information on the above can be found at Hockey ACT.