CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Rory Aiken has considered what things might be like at the national under-18 women’s field hockey identification camp she’ll attend today through Friday in Victoria, B.C.
“It will definitely be very high intensity and have lots of competition. I have to work my hardest and show them what I can do well and showcase my best,” said Aiken. “Got to have the right mindset and stay positive, have a fresh (outlook) every day and worry about the things I can control.”
Aiken, 16, flies out today. Fitness testing, skills work and drills begin Tuesday (the day she turns 17). Days will be full for the centre midfielder.
She’s one of a solid supply of Island field hockey players, which includes former senior national team captain Katie Baker and Abbey MacLellan of the national university champ UBC Thunderbirds, to garner national attention.
Aiken, a member of the P.E.I. provincial under-18 team, admits to butterflies. Who wouldn’t? But she’s also fired up.
“I’m a little nervous, it’s a bit nerve-wracking but it’s super exciting,” she said. “I was excited (when selected), it was something I wasn’t expecting. It’s a great opportunity that I hope to take advantage of.”
The former Charlottetown Rural High School field hockey all-star began in the sport at Stonepark Intermediate. She was part of Rural’s P.E.I. School Athletic Association senior championship team last season but has transferred to The Mount Academy this season for her Grade 12 year to play on the private school’s new field hockey team.
Aiken was selected to the under-18 all-star team at the Gryphon national tournament in Toronto and through that tourney was picked for this week’s camp where she joins 24 other athletes from British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.
Aiken, who’s also gunning to make P.E.I.’s women’s hockey squad at the 2019 Canada Games, might be feeling a few nerves but she has no intention of fluttering when the cleats go on and the stick hits the pitch.
“I’m a very competitive person, very high intensity with good speed and can move the ball well and have a willingness to battle. I’m not a person to give up easily. I want to show them what I’m made of,” said Aiken.
The camp is under the watch of the new women’s national team new head Giles Bonnet and will have trainers and high-performance coaches in attendance.
