Mount Gambier’s Connor Grant will be jet setting abroad in January 2023 for the Australian Under 21 Hockey team competition which will be held in Indonesia.
After playing a couple of tournaments early this year, one being for the Lower South East team in Adelaide, Grant was selected to play for the SA team in Albany, Western Australia, where he was selected as a part of the under 21 squad.
The Under 21s will tour Indonesia in January, where they will play the Indonesian national team and regional teams.
Grant started his hockey journey at age seven and did a full year of training with his family and the Redbacks hockey club
“I did a full year of training when I was like seven years old for the club,” he said.
“I played with them for a few years, starting the year after when I was eight years old.
“And after a few years I decided to switch clubs to Tigers Hockey Club for a better suit for myself and I am still playing for them now.
“I coached and played in the A grade men’s side last year.
“I have been playing for about 12 years now all within Mount Gambier.”
As time draws closer for Grant to head abroad his expectations are high and he is looking forward to the challenge.
“It is all pretty fresh, I have never done anything to this extent,” he said.
“I have played in quite a few SA teams throughout Australia throughout my career from under 13 to mid 18 youth levels, but there is just this next level going internationally, it is going to be a whole new ball game.
“Playing with a whole different variety of players is just a bit different and looks like a bit of a fresh sign and I’m keen to do it and perform on the international stage.”
As a pivotal member of the Limestone Coast Hockey Association, Grant is looking for some backing to get him there and represent his country.
“We have built a few small little fundraisers throughout my workplace at the moment and I have got a bit bigger Go Fund Me fundraiser online through Facebook and few other places as well,” Grant said.
“Mostly for the cost to fly over and the accommodation.”
Anyone interested in contributing to Grant’s international trip can contact him via his Facebook page or visit the Go Fund Me site.
