Northam siblings Mackenzie and Harrison Sargeant are taking the floorball world by storm.
Harrison has just returned from New Zealand representing Australia in the under 19s men’s team at an attempt to qualify for the world championships and Mackenzie has been named in the women’s Australian floorball team set to compete at the world qualifiers in Bangkok in January.
The under 19s men’s team were unsuccessful drawing with Japan in the first game and going down the New Zealand in the second.
Harrison said he was disappointed by the result.
“We had to finish in the top two to qualify and we came third out of three teams,” he said,
“We missed out by four goals.”
He said compared to the competitors the Australian side was inexperienced.
“Our team was very young,” Harrison said.
“Most of the others were 18 and played at the last world championships.
“We had a whole new team.
“We needed more experience and to get the nerves out.
“The nerves got to us in the Japan game when we were 2-0 down.
“If we had extra time we could have won and if we played a more attacking style against NZ we could have won that as well.”
His mother Stacey said now the family will look ahead at Harrison’s other options for floorball.
“A lot of the boys were disappointed,” she said.
“There were a few tears.
“We’ve had to sit back and go ‘so you’re not going to Canada’.
“For Harrison this is the end of under 19s that’s why we’re planning further ahead now.
“The goals will be try and push into the men’s team.”
Mrs Sargeant said watching the side over in New Zealand was surreal.
“It was a fantastic experience seeing your son represent Australia,” she said.
“Listening to the anthem was amazing and Also getting to know different parents that we wouldn’t normally sit down with and have a chat to.”
Now the attention is on youngest child Mackenzie who has been selected to represent Australian in the women’s team at the world qualifiers in Bangkok.
Mackenzie was not old enough to be eligible for the under 19s team but the timing meant she was about the try out for the women’s and was successful.
“Getting named into the Australian womens team is a big step up,” she said.
“I cried and was shocked.”
The forward said she is most excited to spend more time with her older teammates.
“I’m most excited for bonding with the girls,” Mackenzie said.
“I’ve become so close to most of them already
“I’m nervous because I’m the youngest and not as strong as the other girls that I won’t get as much time on the court.
“We have our training camp before the qualifiers so I’ll try and prove a point there.”
If the women’s team is successful at the qualifiers in Bangkok they will advance to the world championships in Switzerland.
Mackenzie said her next step will be trying out for the under 19s squad again, now that she is the right age.
If named on that team she will compete in Singapore next year for the world qualifiers.
