Leading the charge is Wanaka mother of two Debbie Forrest-Scurr (29), who last month captained the Central Otago representative team to glory for the first time in the 30-year history of the Finch Rose Bowl hockey tournament.
The Rachel Petrie-coached team - named Central Otago sports team of the year in April - won the rose bowl in a clean sweep of the competition from North Otago, Eastern Southland, Invercargill and Southland in Oamaru.
Last year, the team won the national division two Holden Cup, after an absence from that competition for 14 years.
The win entitled the team to go straight to the top grade, which is no mean achievement after years spent in obscurity.
The squad is excited about playing at the highest level for Central Otago and has been training since April.
The secret to success has been passion, fun and friendship, said Forrest-Scurr, who has been playing hockey since she was 4.
Being coached by former Black Sticks player Rachel Petrie, who is based in Alexandra, was also a strong motivating factor, she said.
Team members were determined to just enjoy themselves at the division one tournament and were not fazed by being underdogs, she said.
Although the team has plenty of silverware, it's cold hard cash it has turned its focus on in coming weeks as it organises a Glitz and Glamour ball at the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum, in Wanaka, for September 5.
The team has to raise funds for the week-long tournament later next month, when it will play one game a day for six days in a row.
It is thrilled to be supported by All Black Andrew Hore, who plays club rugby for Maniototo and has donated All Black items for auction at the ball.
Ticket information is available from Forrest-Scurr; telephone 025-348-3275.
The Central Otago women's hockey team is: Debbie Forrest-Scurr, Allannah McRae, Bex Crutchley, Lizzie Hore, Anna Cotterell, Dayna Lake (Upper Clutha), Sarah Cook (Cromwell), Atiria Cooney, Nikki Paterson (Alexandra), Dena Coefax, Linda Williams (Queenstown), Michele Airey (Alexandra, manager), Rachel Petrie (Alexandra, coach).
Rules permit the team to include three invitational players, who have yet to be confirmed.
