Source: The Mercury, 4 June, 1996, p.39

Tasmanian
star in a
state of
uncertainty

Hockey

with
PAUL MALARSKI

TASMANIA'S solitary
Australian women's
representative Bianca Langham
is undecided whether she will
play for Tasmania in this year's
national league.

   Langham, who was a member
of the Adelaide Suns team that
won last year's national league,
said she had been also
approached by the South
Australians to return for a
second season.

   The 21-year-old midfielder
has represented Australia in 25
Tests since making her
international debut against
New Zealand in 1994.

   "I have put my name down
for both Tasmania and Adel-
aide, but I won't be making a
decision until later in the
year," she said from Perth.

   "All I really want to
concentrate on is finishing my
stint at the Institute of Sport.

   "I'II be returning home to
Tasmania in July if I don't
make the Olympic team.

   "I suppose my chances of
making the team are pretty
slim at the moment but I
suppose you've always got a
chance."

   Langham was overlooked for
the Hockeyroos tour of Europe.
She last played for Australia
against Japan in Darwin two
months ago, but represented
the Australian Youth team in an
international series against
Australia, New Zealand and
Korea in Cairns in April.

   Tasmanian Women's Hockey
Association president Yvonne
Soundy said the state was a
"99% chance" of taking part in
the league.

   Entries for the league have
been extended by a month until
the end of June, but Soundy
said preparations were well
under way.

   "We are still pursuing
sponsors very aggressively,"
she said.

   "We believe that with
fundraising and sponsorship,
entry should be in the reach of
all our players. The response
from players has been good and
we are as committed as we
always have been."

   Soundy said about 18 players
had nominated to represent
Tasmania. She hopes to name a
team closer to the end of the
season.

   This year's national league
will comprise two pools of
four teams. All matches will be
played over one week in
Sydney and Canberra.

Where to next?

Student Questions for this article
Teacher Discussion of this article
Index - Related articles
Index - Chance and Basic Probability
Numeracy in the News - Main Index