Hockey: Affair of the heart for Quedley

By Terry Maddaford

Megan Quedley has had it pretty tough for the past 10 months.

But her troubles, including a heart infection which sidelined her for four months, will be quickly forgotten when she makes her international debut in the New Zealand women's hockey team tonight.

The only newcomer in the side to play China at Lloyd Elsmore Park, 22-year-old Quedley sees her call-up as a dream come true after 17 years in the sport.

"I have been through the age-groups and academy but this is the big one," said Quedley, who is likely to share the pivotal centre-half role with Skippy McGregor.

Long-time centre-half Robyn Matthews, the veteran of more than 130 games for New Zealand, joins Helen Clarke, Jenny Duck, Kate Trolove and Toni Mason as players being rested for the three-match Chinese series after playing recent matches against India and Australia.

Coach Jan Borren has recalled Karen Smith, Dianna Weavers and Leisen Jobe to play China in his ongoing search for a squad to tour Argentina and later play in the crucial Olympic qualifying tournament in England in March.

"I was pretty apprehensive about coming back after my illness," said Quedley, who plays for Auckland's University club but represented North Harbour in the latter part of the Lion Foundation national league earlier this year. "I got a clearance after six months and eased my way back in."

Ironically, Quedley played much of her hockey through the grades with Weavers and established international Lisa Walton, who will be part of the Kiwi strikeforce in the test matches in Auckland, Whangarei (on Saturday) and at Rosedale Park, Albany (on Sunday).

With a well-honed passing game and the experience of playing her early hockey as an attacker, Quedley should fit in well. Now, she says, it is up to her to make the most of the opportunity.

"Sure, the Olympics are an incentive but there is a lot of hockey to be played before we can even think too much about them," she said.

First is that dreamed-of debut in front of her proud parents and grandmother, who is just out of hospital but who has made arrangements to have a wheelchair ready so she too can share the moment.