Siblings back where they began playing

Australian duo Ariel (13) and Hugh (12) Campbell are part of the NSA Select team at the international pee-wee ice hockey tournament at the Dunedin Ice Stadium where both learned to skate. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Australian duo Ariel (13) and Hugh (12) Campbell are part of the NSA Select team at the international pee-wee ice hockey tournament at the Dunedin Ice Stadium where both learned to skate. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Playing in Dunedin is a trip into the unknown for most Australian youngsters - but for two siblings it is a homecoming of sorts.

Ariel (13) and Hugh (12) Campbell are in town for this week's international pee-wee ice hockey tournament at Dunedin Ice Stadium, the place they learned to skate.

That will offer some familiarity for the NSA Selects side, one of four Australian teams at the under-15 event which began on Monday.

Hugh in Dunedin aged 3. Photo: Supplied
Hugh in Dunedin aged 3. Photo: Supplied
The siblings spent their early childhood in Dunedin and attended Richard Hudson Kindergarten, in Kew.

In 2009, they made their first forays on to ice through the city's learn to skate programme.

They also used to stay on to watch their father, Duncan, take to the ice at night.

The duo have come a long way since then.

Since relocating to Toowoomba, Queensland, they have chalked up an impressive list of achievements.

The latest of those was making the NSA Selects side - which features a combination of Queensland and New South Wales players - to travel back to Dunedin.

It had been a winning start to the tournament as well.

The side beat the Thunder 5-3 in its opener on Monday, before a comprehensive 10-2 win over the Junior Stampede.

It held on yesterday after withstanding enormous pressure late to beat Blue Storm 3-2. The team continues with two games this morning and a further two tomorrow.

On Friday the tournament moves to semifinals, before the finals day on Saturday. The gold medal game is scheduled for 10.45am.

The tournament has attracted eight teams.

Add a Comment