Following success on and off the world’s fields, Jason Hill is looking forward to returning to his Junee roots.
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For the past 30 years, Mr Hill has worked as a national hockey selector and team manager.
His 40 year career as an athlete was brought to an abrupt end last year, when he fractured his back kicking a soccerball at his Junee home.
“I was out with my young son, and something just popped,” the 47-year-old said.
It meant that Mr Hill had to have spinal fusion surgery to correct the damage.
“The back operation last year means I can’t play anymore. But I really enjoyed sport, so I’ve kept on behind the scenes.”
At the end of August, his NSW men’s hockey team returned undefeated from the Australian Open National Field Hockey Country Championships.
The team is made up of players from all over the world, including Wagga local Dillon Martin.
Over two week tournament, the team beat the best of Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, ACT and South Australia.
It follows a successful campaign all year, that saw athletes selected by Mr Hill receive silver in January, and gold in April.
“Every year is pretty busy, but the last 12 months has been huge,” said the 47-year-old.
Next year will likely follow suit, with the first tournament to begin in Goulburn come January, before Mr Hill once again jetsets to Tasmania in April.
“I’ve been on the road for six months this year, and next year will be a bit the same,” said Mr Hill.
Once the year’s finals finish out in November, Mr Hill will take a month’s hiatus.
“I’m looking forward to spending some time at home,” he said.
With a young family in tow, Mr Hill would like to spend more time in Junee, and is hopeful he will be able to lend his expertise to its residents.
“I started out in soccer, and I’ve been involved with a whole bunch of sports,” he said.
“I’m always happy to help out anyone in the town with any sort of sports management, I just want to see local teams fulfill their potential.”