AUSTRALIAN striker Madi Ratcliffe says implementing an attacking game plan is its best chance at the hockey junior world cup in Chile.
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The Warrnambool-raised teenager is training six days a week at her Perth base in the lead up to the 11-day under 21 tournament.
She will fly to Santiago with her Australian teammates on November 20 and play pool games against Russia, England and the host nation.
“I think we have a pretty good group of girls and the style of hockey we play is fun and exciting,” Ratcliffe said.
“It is a really fast brand with a lot of counter-attacking.
“I think we’ll do well. We’ve drawn a winnable pool and hopefully we’ll do as expected and win.”
Ratcliffe, who has played three senior games for the Hockeyroos, feels well prepared for her first world cup.
She played for Victoria Vipers during the recently-completed Australian Hockey League season, helping her home state to a runner-up finish.
The fiercely-competitive domestic competition features Australia’s best, including players from the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos.
“Post-Olympics everyone had a bit of a break and then there was AHL, so everyone was in their own states to train and play tournaments,” Ratcliffe said.
“It was my first AHL season, so that was a good experience, and I got to play for my state with a lot of people I grew up playing around and there are a lot of rivalries.”
Ratcliffe moved to Western Australia in January to join the Australia Institute of Sport’s hockey program.
The surf-mad teenager, who enjoys living on the Perth coastline, is on a one-year scholarship.
She hopes she’s done enough to impress coaches and earn a 2017 extension.
“No one knows (what will happen). We find out in December,” Ratcliffe said.
“We have a new coach. There could be big changes or there could be no changes.”
Ratcliffe, who started her career via the Warrnambool and District Hockey Association, said she had embraced her new environment.
“I have made really good friends and I think I have improved a lot,” she said.
“I have got a lot out of it and it’s also a nice part of the country.”
Ratcliffe’s younger sister Kelsey is also involved in the representative system and played for Victoria at under 15 level earlier this year.
I think we have a pretty good group of girls and the style of hockey we play is fun and exciting. It is a really fast brand with a lot of counter-attacking.
- Madi Ratcliffe