Services’ Kimmy Hill shakes off Olympians’ Alice Arnott durung a Tamworth women’s competition match this season. Hill has been picked up by Tasmania to play in the upcoming Australian Hockey League. Photo: Barry Smith 220712BSB09
SERVICES’ Kimmy Hill thought she’d finished with her stick, shin pads and mouthguard for the year but she couldn’t have been more wrong.
Instead she finds herself winging her way to Perth to play in Australia’s premier hockey tournament – the Australian Hockey League – after being picked up by Tasmania.
“It’s exciting but a little bit scary,” Hill said.
It will be her first experience of the AHL although not first national championships.
She played for the NSW U21s a few years back and has been a regular at the Australian Country Championships, and in Australian Country sides. This will be another step up though.
“It will probably be the highest level I possibly ever play,” she said.
“I’m with the big girls now.”
She’ll be playing against players she’s watched on television and admires, like Casey Eastham and Anna Flanagan.
It will also pit her against a few former team-mates in Kate Jenner and Hollie Webster.
Both are playing for NSW and played with Hill at Services.
Hill won’t be the only link to the Tasmanian side.
Jeff Aldridge is also helping out in a coaching capacity and helped facilitate Hill’s involvement with the Van Demons.
“He asked me to play,” she said.
“I thought I might as well have a go.”
It will be a good opportunity to test herself against the best players in the country.
“It will be a tough couple of weeks,” she said.
“I’m not expecting to be the strongest player but if I can hold my own I’ll be happy.”
She isn’t sure where exactly she’ll figure but it will be in the back four somewhere.
The two-week tournament gets underway on Tuesday and will see the local connection clashing on the opening day, with NSW taking on Tasmania.