Kimmy McLean’s hockey talent and passion saw the Tamworth star recently celebrate a decade of excellence representing her country.
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The Services coach has just returned from a two-week tour of Hong Kong and Vietnam with the Australian Country women’s side.
It was the centre-midfielder’s 10th tour with them.
Over that time she’s also been to Fiji, New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia.
“I’ve been very lucky.
“I wouldn’t have seen that many places without it (playing for Australian Country),” she said.
The tour was a successful one for her Wattles side.
“We won all our games and didn’t have a goal scored against us,” she said.
“The team really clicked with the system and all clicked with each other.”
It was the first time the Australian Country sides have toured Vietnam and McLean’s first time visiting the country.
Hockey is very much a fledgling sport there but the national body is working to develop the sport.
“It was a very interesting week that one,” McLean said.
After arriving in Ho Chi Minh City to heat and humidity, their first game, later in the day, was cut short by a torrential downpour.
“We were meant to play another couple of international teams but they pulled out a couple of days before.
“A team from Singapore ended up coming over and playing us,” she said.
They then moved on to Hong Kong, where they played five games.
“The quality there was much better and the facilities were amazing,” McLean said.
The leg started with fixtures against the Hong Kong national sides, who were preparing for the upcoming All China Games.
The Wattles produced some resolute defence to record a 5-nil win.
The remaining four games were against local club sides, and included two games at Happy Valley, site of the famed Hong Kong Jockey Club racecourse.
“That was cool.
“I remember playing there the last time we went (2013),” McLean said.
On Sunday she was back in Services colours, helping them to a 5-3 win over Olympians.
She said it took them a little while to get a handle on a new-look Olympians side, and in the first half it wasn’t quite happening for them.
“At half-time we spoke about a few things,” she said.
“The second half I thought we were in total control.”
“Our communication and marking of our players was a lot better.”
They were two of the things they’d spoken about.
Kate Perrett worked her backside off as usual, McLean said. Sarah Dicker was also strong through the midfield.