Last year, 16-year-old hockey player Tessa Body helped the Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS) hockey girls team to triumph at the 2023 Your Local Club Academy Games. This weekend, they are heading to Wagga Wagga to have another shot at the title.
The Academy Games showcases emerging athletes across seven sports (basketball, cycling, golf, hockey, netball, indoor volleyball and triathlon) and will be held in Wagga Wagga from April 12-14.
“I wish to bring our team to yet another victory this year and to have even more fun along the way,” said Tessa, who plays centre midfield, midfield and attacking mid.
It's her second year at the IAS and Tessa has been training hard. Not only for the Academy Games – in 2024 Tessa also aims to make the NSW state team and the Accelerated Athletes program (AAP) squad.
Tessa trains six days a week, dedicating at least 13 hours a week to honing her skills at morning and afternoon sessions.
“The thrill after beating a player, making a good tackle, scoring a goal and winning a game is what all the training is for,” she said.
Inspired by her dad and her uncle, Tessa started playing hockey at age six.
“It was something I was brought up doing and playing with my dad. Hockey has always been one of my greatest passions and something that I enjoy a lot.”
Recognising Tessa's potential, her dad urged her to take it more seriously, a challenge she accepted.
“The encouragement from my dad to push myself and develop as a player and a young woman is the ultimate reason why I love what I do,” Tessa said. “I began to become more competitive within the sport as I grew up and saw the different pathways to grow, achieve and overall excel.”
Seeing other athletes succeed spurs her on. “I am constantly trying to improve as a player, trying to learn new skills and new roles in the game, making it fun and interesting,” she said.
As part of the IAS, Tessa appreciates the training, gym access, SAVVY Fitness day and other opportunities provided.
“I joined the IAS as a way to develop my skills to another level, to have access to great training both on and off the field,” Tessa said. “These have all really helped me in my sporting career by focusing on things that can expand my understanding as to what it takes to be an athlete.”
The programs at IAS are complemented by exceptional coaches.
“The constant persistence to get us to strive as athletes is amazing,” Tessa said. “The coaches have pushed me as a player, in a way that my skills keep developing and my understanding of the game grows.”
Tessa's early accomplishments include making the Under-15s indoor state team, winning bronze at the Australian National Championships and first at the Hockey State Championships. Last year, she won the 2022/23 IAS Hockey Athlete of the Year award.
“Receiving Hockey Athlete of the Year for the IAS really showed the hard work paying off and that it had been recognised by others,” Tessa said.
Her big dream is to join the Hockeyroos and play for Australia.
“To represent the country in a sport that I am deeply passionate about is the ultimate goal.”
