SPORT
Aaron representing WA in Hockey
Year 7 student Aaron Klages ( 7Wb ) has had an amazing year , travelling to Cairns to represent Western Australia in the School Sports Under-12s Hockey Competition .
Aaron ’ s passion for hockey started when he was 5 years old , when he was asked to join the hockey team that his best mates Hamish and Angus Adamson ( 7SG ) belonged to . Not only did Aaron love being on the same team as his mates , he also loved playing the game .
Aaron has been fortunate to be able to play a sport he loves with his mates and also represent the State .
Aaron started playing minkey hockey at the Harlies Hockey Club in Dianella and when he was in Year 3 , he moved to YMCC Hockey Club in Floreat where he currently plays .
The more hockey Aaron played , the more passionate he became . Aaron spends hours upon hours mastering his skills , attending coaching clinics and training , both on and off the field . He has been fortunate to have been mentored by some wonderful and experienced coaches , including his dad , who also coached the undefeated 7A Guildford Hockey team this year .
Aaron has played various positions on the hockey field , including right and left wing ; centre half ; right and left half and full back . His favourite two positions are centre half and full back .
One of Aaron ’ s first goals was to represent WA in the Under-12 School Sports Hockey Competition . The trial process for this competition included four trials , followed by a weekend in Bunbury at the South West Hockey Championships for those who made it to the next stage . The selectors were looking for boys who not only had exceptional hockey skills but who had strong team skills , overall attitude , speed , endurance and strength .
Aaron Klages , aged 5 years .
Over 100 boys registered for the trials , and at each trial boys were eliminated until they reached 16 boys . A further two boys were to be dropped after the South West Hockey Championships , and were selected as trainons . Competing in the South West Hockey Championships was both exciting and nervewracking , as this was the final trial and the selectors were making their final decision .
Aaron was over the moon when he was selected . Leading up to the competition , which was held in August in Cairns , Aaron participated in five hockey training sessions per week , which included one for the State team ; two for Guildford Grammar School and two for his Club . On top of this he also played a game for the School and one for his Club . It ’ s fair to say that Aaron lived and breathed hockey for a while !
Travelling to Cairns for the School Sports Under-12s Hockey Competition was an unforgettable experience . Not only did Aaron bond with his new hockey friends , he played exceptional hockey and the WA Team won gold . Aaron played full back during the tournament and one of the highlights was that overall the team only conceded four goals .
Aaron has been fortunate to be able to play a sport he loves with his mates and also represent the State . Aaron draws his inspiration from Jamie Dwyer , who has been named as the World ’ s best hockey player five times , and as an added bonus plays for YMCC .
Aaron ’ s next goal is to trial for the Under- 13s WA State Hockey team and continue to improve and master his skills .
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