Remote Hockey Program appoints a new Indigenous Trainee Hockey Development Officer

Chris Benn is born and bred in Cairns and comes from a family with strong links to the Cairns Hockey Community.

Chris began participating in the sport of hockey at aged 6 and in 2009 captained the Cairns Under 18 Girls team which competed in the Hockey Queensland State Under 18 Championships.

Chris has already displayed leadership skills in her role as captain and in this position, she will be called upon to become not only a young indigenous leader but a role model for the whole of the community.

Chris will be trained and mentored by David McNeil the current Cairns Regional Coaching Director and Remote Hockey Program Coaching Manager.

David has extensive skills in delivering coaching programs in the indigenous and islander communities and will assist Chris in her advancement.

Chris will be part of a partnership between the Remote Hockey Program and Cairns Hockey with the view to develop programs with closer links with community, school and hockey clubs looking foward to increasing the number of indigenous people playing hockey in the Cairns Region.

Chris has already had her first experience with travelling to remote communities when she attended the Karumba Hockey Festival in September 2009. When asked of her experience - she replied:-

" The drive was over 12 hours from Townsville and it was a rough ride. I was really surprised at the number of people playing hockey and the overall standard of the teams. There is some seriously talented hockey players in the remote and indigenous communities.

My goal is to develop ways to increase their skills and enjoyment and create programs so more indigenous and islander people can play hockey."

We wish Chris all the best in her future.