There will be a new winner of the “A” Grade Grand Final of the Far North Coast Women’s Hockey Competition.

Northern Star, 2020 Minor Premiers, will meet Ballina, runners up in 2019, on Saturday at the Goonellabah Complex, Hepburn Park, on pitch 1 at 1.45pm.

Ballina returns to the 2020 Grand Final with 12 players from the team who contested the Grand Final in 2019 when they were beaten by Lismore club Glee. Ballina is proud to have seven players in Cori Hardy, Karina Perris, Billie King Venn, Erica

Truman, Gabby Arundell, Lara Truman and Aeryn Peiti who are all Ballina Hockey Club juniors who have progressed from the youngest age divisions to be now representing the Club in ‘A’ Grade.

These players were regular representative players for the FNC Hockey Association.

Ballina Hockey Club's A Grade team captain Corinna Busse will be aiming for a better result than in last year's thrilling grand final. Photo: Shez Napper

Corinna Busse is the captain of the team and leads from the front. Corinna is a multiple winner of the Association’s Best and Fairest Award and is recognised for her high level of skills. Corinna’s leadership is supported by experienced defenders Alison Daniel, Kate Whiting, Jennifer Hollier and Hannah Hosie who will all make it difficult for the opposition team to score.

Ballina’s goalkeeper, Penny Lee is playing her debut season in first grade and has made many important contributions in her first year in the top grade and has an exciting future in hockey. Hannah Franey and Abby Allsop are two of the teams strikers who add plenty of speed and sparkle to the Ballina attack. Ballina likes to play a fast, attacking brand of hockey and will therefore be able contribute to an exciting Grand Final.

Northern Star will field a strong line-up which includes several Far North Coast and State representatives. Abby Brunton is a young and talented goalkeeper who gained valuable experience playing State U/15 hockey last year. She will be supported by Eliza Wallace and Kate Marshall (captain) who will have to be on their toes to break down Ballina’s attacking runs, before they get into scoring positions.

Tracey Makings has been impressive all season and will be instrumental in creating space and linking with Ellen Seller, Alana Albertini and Natalie Psarakis. The team will welcome back Natalie, a vital member playing in the mid-field, as she has not been able to travel from the Gold Coast since the closure of the border.

Those in attack and midfield, especially Leanne Albertini, Hollie Matthews, Jennah Hughes, Amanda Harmon, Annalyce Bodley and sisters Taquira and Maya McGrath will have to create space and use each other to create scoring opportunities. Taquira McGrath has a great deal of experience playing at higher levels and her excellent skills and knowledge will be an asset to Star.

The Northern Star team is a mixture of youth and experience and they will be keen to show their skills and determination in the 2020 Grand Final against Ballina on Saturday.