Lower Great Southern Hockey Association’s super seven selected in Outbacks side for international Gryphon Cup

Seven Lower Great Southern juniors will get a taste of international hockey after being selected to take part in the prestigious KSMB Gryphon Cup in Perth next month. The super seven will represent WA Country team Outbacks in an event which includes sides from Japan, Singapore and Malaysia as well as representative teams from all corners of Australia. Stella Gordon (North Albany), Zoe Mills (Manypeaks) and Bella Post (Mt Barker) all played for Outbacks girls in the 2024 tournament. They will be joined by Mt Barker’s Olivia Riggall this year. Spencer Park’s Mitch Pike represented the boys last year and he will be joined by Manypeaks’ Mitch Eley and Ben Blechynden this time. Blechynden said he was looking forward to stepping up a level, even after a busy season. “I tried out for the team last time but didn’t get in, so I am really excited to be taking part this time,” he said. “Hockey has been going well — in fact I really don’t do anything else except play hockey and go to school. “The tournament definitely will pose a new set of challenges and it’s great to be playing for a country team because it means we all get a look-in with the selectors.” The event, which is for under-16 teams, claims to be Asia’s leading youth hockey event and ran successfully for the first time last year. Matches will be played from November 19 to 23 at Perth Hockey Stadium and at the University of WA. Players were selected after two days of trials in Perth. The Outbacks boys struggled last year, finishing 11th overall while the girls were eighth of 11 sides.