Big Hockey Hit Out This Weekend

The Big Hockey Hit Out (BHHO) -  Queensland's newest and most competitive event - hits off this weekend at the Gold Coast! The BHHO is Hockey Queensland's High Performance Event that will showcase the best players in Queensland, coached by some of Queensland’s best coaches.

Spectators are invited to come and watch the best of the best and Queensland's rising stars fight it out for a shot at Brisbane Blaze selection, bragging rights, and a share in $4,000! Games run Friday night - Sunday early afternoon, and entry is FREE for spectators all weekend! 

About The Event
The Big Hockey Hit Out comprises four Women’s and four Men’s teams - Thunder, Reef, Rays and Stingers. For the first time for hockey in Queensland, athletes nominated to compete, and the coaches of each of the four teams (Men and Women) selected their team from the draft list. Each team will play in a round robin competition over three days with the finals on the Sunday.  Competitors include former Australian Hockeyroos and Kookaburras, 2019 Brisbane Blaze team members, and QAS athletes.

Players to watch over the weekend include: 

• Joel Rintala - Rays

Australian Development Squad member
2019 Blaze Striker
Top Scorer at the Hockey QLD Championship in May – 15 goals

• Hugh Pembroke - Thunder

2019 Blaze Midfielder
Australian Development Squad member

• Adam Imer - Rays

2016 Rio Olympian for Brazil

• Mitch Nicholson - Reef

2019 Blaze Goalkeeper

• Blake Wotherspoon - Stingers

Australian Development Squad member
2019 Blaze Member 

• Claire Colwill - Thunder

2019 Blaze Midfielder
Australian Futures Squad Member
2021 U18 Australian Nationals Champion
2021 U18 Qld State Championships Div 1 – Gold Medal – Mackay
2021 U21 Queensland Team Member – preparing for U21 Nationals in August

• Hannah Astbury - Reef

2019 Blaze Goalkeeper
Australian Development Squad member

• Morgan Gallagher - Rays

2019 Blaze Midfielder
Australian Development Squad member

• Britt Wilkinson - Rays

2019 Blaze Striker
Australian Development Squad member

Plus there's a star studded line-up of coaches for the teams including Olympians, Qld Blades and Scorchers, and Premiership winners. 

Olympic Gold Medallist and Stingers Women's coach Angie Lambert OAM said, "I am hoping with my experience at an elite level I can assist my players to perform well and continue to develop their game. I have lots of talented players in my team including nationally identified Juniors - Ruby Harris and Kendra Fitzpatrick, experienced and well-respected goalkeeper Emily Burrows and seasoned National Hockey League representative Maddie James." 

Olympic Gold Medallist and Rays Men's coach Troy Elder OAM, "I think our team will fly under the radar. All of our players are 'ones to watch', they will all be bringing something to the team. They are playing for selection so there will be inter-position competition and fire that comes with that."

The Thunder Women's coach Tom Brough said, "Given the lack of hockey for our U21 & senior groups over the past 2 years, such an event will allow Queensland’s best to compete against each other. Additionally, it will provide a opportunity for Brisbane Blaze selection leading into Hockey One and there is prize money up for grabs - what more motivation is needed."  

Event Details
What: Big Hockey Hit Out
Date: Friday 30 July - Sunday 1 August 2021
Location: Gold Coast Hockey Centre, 125 Musgrave Ave, Labrador QLD 4215

Proudly supported by City of Gold Coast

CLICK HERE FOR ALL EVENT INFORMATION INCLUDING:

• Coaches Information
• Draw
• Team Lists