by Dylan Stone
Donna-Lee Wynen has hit her way into a busy hockey season, recently returning from the South Australian State Hockey Trials and the Copper Coast Masters Games.
Donna-Lee played for Tatiara in the Masters Games, travelling with her fellow teammates Bordertown and her team drew the first game, won the second, lost the third, and then won the fourth game.
“This overall put us in third position, so then we played the fifth game, which was the semi-final, but unfortunately we lost 4-0. We were down a few players due to injuries.
“We finished with what we call a rise gold medal, and overall, it was a super fun weekend, and I played with a group of great girls. It was a friendly, supportive team atmosphere.
“The girls on the team have this closeness because they’ve played together for years,” she said.
“There’s one particular lady called Clarry, and she is the dress up Queen of the world!” Clarry bought fancy dress costumes to the share-house in Wallaroo which housed Donna-Lee’s teammates for the weekend.
“What was great is that she had all the accessories and costumes, and we got dressed up and then some of us even acted in character for the whole night. When we arrived at the restaurant, we walked in and the whole restaurant just paused and people were filming us as we came in,” Donna-Lee laughed.
“Clarry also bought grey haired women’s wigs for everyone to wear on the way to the hockey fields on Saturday, and some of the players even wore their wigs during the first game while Clarry wore her bright green Leprechaun outfit. She made it fun.”
Donna-Lee also took part in the 2023 South Australian State Masters’ Hockey Trials.
“There were many exemptions, basically players who are seeking a spot but couldn’t trial on the day due to the current hockey season, so I’m not sure how the selection process will work.
“It’s sounding positive that South Australia will take four teams away for the Masters’ Tournament in Perth, which is one more team than last year.
“Tasmania is looking like they’ll have two teams, which is helpful as Tasmania has an alliance with South Australia if states cannot field enough players for a ATATW Team,” she added.
The news on Donna-Lee’s selection for the South Australian Masters’ Team may still be weeks away, but nonetheless, she says, “it’s been a great experience, and I am excited to see how everything goes this year.”
