LIMESTONE Coast hockey star Lochie Nisbet has returned from another successful Australian Under 21 tour, this time to Borneo.
The Australian men were successful in all-but one encounter – a clash with the Sarawak Armed Forces team – which came down to a penalty shootout and showed the strength and talent of the side.
It was Nisbet’s second time representing Australia, previously touring Fiji, but this time he went as captain, a big step up from last year.
He said he enjoyed the tour, even with the added pressure of the captaincy on his shoulders.
“It was a bit of an eye-opener to be captain,” Nisbet said.
“There is a bit more you have to do.
“It is coach selected, not player selected and they try to pick someone who can step up and tell the team what they are doing wrong and help them out.
“I found it was a big role.”
One issue the Australians faced was the weather, which is notoriously hot and humid.
Nisbet said some experience working in the north and west of Australia helped him somewhat, but it was a matter of simply getting on with the job.
“The weather was shocking really,” he said.
“It looked like we had all been wet by the sprinklers.
“It was just a matter of drinking a bit more fluid and moving on from it.”
This year the side faced many challenges as it travelled through Borneo, including the only loss for the tour against the Army team.
Compared to last year’s Fijian tour, Nisbet said it was a different experience all together and one he rated highly.
“We played a lot more different teams and faced a lot more different styles,” he said.
“I found the Fijians were a bit rougher.
“The Malaysians were a bit smaller, but the Army team was a bit more pushy.
“The skills you pick up from playing overseas is one thing you will not forget, plus the people you are there with and you meet so many other good people.
“You make friends for life.”
Now 22 years of age and with his Under 21 representation done, Nisbet still has plans to remain at the highest level possible in the sport.
He wants to play more in Adelaide, with the hope of making Super League or state representation.
“The Australian Country side is one way to go, but the South Australian state side would be a big goal to reach,” Nisbet said.
“I need to commit a lot more, but working full time here and travelling to Adelaide will be hard.”
Nisbet played several games late last season in Adelaide, combined with his playing commitments here in the Limestone Coast.
With that experience behind him, he expects this season to be even tougher, as he commits to more of the sport in the state’s capital.
But he said overall if he wanted to continue to play at the highest level it was worth the effort.
“It will be full on this year if I commit to more of the season up there,” Nisbet said.
“The level of competition up there is a lot better – down here it is a really good competition, but if I want to improve more I have to play up there.”
Overall it comes down to Nisbet’s desire to represent his sport at the highest level possible, which he said was “an unreal experience”.
“Not many people get the chance to represent Australia,” he said.
“I am glad I have had the chance, not once, but twice and I do not take it for granted.”
