Leah-May Labuschagne to make WA debut after making under-13s State team

For a relatively small city Geraldton has more than its fair share of hockey leagues and teams and a new star has emerged from the wealth of junior talent.

Leah-May Labuschagne, 11, has been rewarded for her enjoyment and passion for hockey with a selection for the U13 State Hockey tournament in Hobart this October.

This has been the result of years of hard work and persistence from Leah-May and her supportive family.

Leah-May started playing hockey when she was six years old starting where everybody starts here in Geraldton with the little half-field team for Strathalbyn Christian College.

Today she plays for the Geraldton Christian college division 1 team. She was also invited to play for the Australs (yr 7-9) squad.

Leah-May was nominated to participate in the 2022 U13 Western Australia hockey trials in Perth.

The trials took place at the Perth Hockey Stadium with Hockey WA selectors putting the girls through some skilled sessions and matches to select the final 32 players that will represent the U13 Hockey WA State team in Hobart, Tasmania on Sept 28 to Oct 4.

The hard work is far from over, however, as she will be travelling to Perth every weekend for training with the team before they depart to represent their State in the international competition.

Her mum and fellow lover of hockey Lizette was over the moon with her daughters’ achievements.

“She is very excited and it’s a very humbling experience for her as she loves the sport, we always teach our children if you want to achieve your greatest potential, you must fall in love with the process of becoming great,” she said.

The State competition will take place in Hobart from September 28 to October 4.