Winmalee ice hockey player Imogene Alexander will compete in Spain this month for Australia.
The 16-year-old was selected in the under 18s national team to compete in the International Ice Hockey Federation Under 18 Women’s World Qualifying Championships in Spain from January 12-18.
“I’m so excited,” she said.
Imogene flies out on January 3 for a week-long team training camp in Norway, then on to Spain for the tournament.
The Winmalee High student only started the sport two years ago, becoming interested after watching an Australian Men’s League (AIHL) game in Penrith.
Imogene said she likes the speed of the sport. It follows other unusual hobbies such as stilt-walking and uni-cycle riding, (and also gymnastics), before she let these go to focus on ice hockey.
“She’s always been a bit of a dare devil. She likes to do things out of the ordinary,” mum, Kate Alexander, said.
It wasn’t long before Imogene was standing out at Penrith-based club The Flyers, going on to play in mixed and women’s competitions. She made the NSW under 18s team the NSW Bombers, playing in the Australian Women’s Tier 2 Showcase Series in Adelaide in July, where they won every game, but had to forfeit the grand final due to a clash with local grand finals.
The left-handed forward spends five hours a week on the ice, and shoots 100 pucks a day in an imitation ice rink set up in the backyard.
She has big dreams for the future.
“I definitely want to play for the national women’s team when I’m older and the Sydney Sirens in the Australian women’s league,” Imogene said.
