BREE Pensini admits she was only 'kind of' confident she'd make the NSW under 13 girl's hockey side when she was chosen to attend State trials last month on the Central Coast.
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She was one of 45 players named in a train-on squad. Thirty were selected in two teams, the NSW No 1 and the NSW Blues.
Bree continued on her good form from the NSW under 13 championships at the trials and was subsequently selected in the No 1 side for the Australian titles to be held in Sydney in September. She is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.
Manning produced an outstanding performance in division one the 13s championships held in Tamworth, making the semi-finals. Bree was named Manning's players' player at Tamworth.
She'll now be required to attend three training sessions on the Central Coast before the start of the nationals. Bree expects to play right midfield.
She's had a busy season on the hockey fields around NSW. The State meet at Tamworth was the third championship at that level since May. Bree was selected in the Manning Valley under 15s side that played at Lithgow in June. This team also nominated for the under 18 titles at Newcastle in May as Manning Valley No 2 as part of the preparation for Lithgow.
Bree started playing hockey when she was seven. She now plays with Tigers in the Manning juniors before backing up to turn out with Town in the Manning division two women's competition. Her mum, Bronwen, is a Town team-mate. She also fills-in for Town's division four side, playing with her elder sister, Jade.
Bree also show promise as a touch footballer. She's represented Taree Touch at the State Junior Cup for the past five years. Although only aged 12 Bree was named in the Hunter under 16 side for the State CHS championships earlier this year. Hunter finished second and Bree was the team's players' player.
In all Bree's represented has represented Hunter at school State championships 11 times between 2011 and 2015 in hockey, athletics and touch.
Bree says she enjoys all sports, but nominates hockey as her favourite.
It was a good week for the Pensini family. Bree's twin brother, Drew was named in the NSW Blues under 13 hockey team to play in the Australian championships in Darwin.
Drew will be in Darwin playing when Bree is in Sydney.