Andrew Scanlon will break new ground as the first Victorian to represent Australia at an official international Hockey 5s tournament.
The 5s format is hockey’s answer to Twenty20 cricket, rugby sevens or netball’s Fast5.
Scanlon, a bright young western suburbs prospect, was chosen to represent Australia in 5s at the Youth Olympic qualifying tournament in Vanuatu next month after impressing at a ‘futures’ camp in February.
While he is a traditionalist, preferring the 11-a-side game, Scanlon is excited by the 5s format and intrigued how it will go on the international stage.
“It’ll be hard and you’ll move a lot more, but it’s going to be fun,” he said.
“You’ve only got three people to pass to, so you’ve got to really pay attention and know your team well.”
Scanlon has only ever taken one sport seriously and wants to make a career in hockey. The 17-year-old from Werribee is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to one day play the Australian Kookaburras.
“I’ve been playing it all my life, so hopefully I can keep going with it,” Scanlon said. “It’s all I’ve really known since I was about three.
“I’ve been given the opportunity to train with the Victorian Institute of Sport. Hopefully, long term, one day I will play in the senior Australian team, but right now I’m focused on Vanuatu and the under-18 nationals [in April].”
Scanlon needs to look no further than his home club Altona for inspiration.
Luke Doerner came out of the Seagulls nest and went on to represent Australia at multiple Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Champions Trophy and World Cup events.
“It helps that he was from there and could make it that far,” Scanlon said.
Among state and national duties, Scanlon is focused on becoming a regular senior player for Altona in the Premier League.
“I’m trying hard to get my fitness up so I’m up to scratch with that,” he said. “Then it’s proving I can use the ball and play well enough to stay in the top side.”
