This Truganina teen can take a hit with the best of them.
As a goalkeeper for Altona Hockey Club, Elizabeth Howell is very familiar with guarding the goals deflecting any attacking shots that come her way.
The 15-year-old is so good at it that she has competed at both state and national level for the past three years, has trained at the Victorian Hockey Academy and been coached by members of the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras.
Most recently, the year 10 Thomas Carr student received one of Wyndham council’s Mayoral Youth Awards for her hockey achievements.
“I was shocked – I didn’t think I would actually get it,” she said.
Elizabeth started playing with the Altona Hockey Club in 2010 and soon discovered a talent for the goalkeeping role.
“Mum and dad dragged me down one day, and I liked it,” she said. “I have fun and I get to meet new people.
“One of the best games I’ve been part of was the grand final in 2014 for our juniors team. By the end of the game we were tied nil-all … it went to a golden goal – whoever scores the first goal, wins – and we managed to get it.
“I want to go as far as I can with it, but I’m also looking at going to uni after high school because I want to be a physiotherapist.”
Elizabeth said she would use the mayoral award’s $500 prizemoney to buy her own goalkeeping equipment.
