Sisters are class act - it sticks out a mile

By LORI BELTTHE successful Whangarei sister act making their mark in New Zealand hockey are on the way achieving their immediate goal - together.
Carli (18) and Stacey Michelsen (16) were named in the Junior Black Sticks' squad last year and are both planning to compete in the 2009 Junior World Cup in Boston, USA.
"If I do make the team it will be an exciting opportunity and will be awesome to play somewhere so different against some of the best players in our age group," said Stacey.
Both girls have come up through the ranks simultaneously and are grateful to have each other for support and to share in their hockey successes.
The sisters agree they wouldn't be where they are today without each other.
"We've grown up playing together so we can work off each other when we're on the field - it's great to have my sister at the same stage as me,' said Stacey.
"We have to train every day, so to have someone to train with and push you makes it much easier," said Carli.
It is Stacey's second time in the Junior Black Sticks' squad and when her sister made the team in October last year, she was over the moon.
"Stacey was so excited when Carli got in ... more than Carli herself, which was neat," said Barbara Michelsen, the girls' mother.
With both girls involved in the sport since the age of four and five, Mrs Michelsen admits it can be tough, but is happy both made the squad: "They've made heaps of sacrifices and worked really hard throughout the years to play representative hockey, so I'm thrilled."
Aside from the support they give each other, the girls attribute their success to their parents.
"They are always at every hockey game and offer support and extra coaching - telling us exactly how we can improve,' said Stacey.
Despite being in the same team every year throughout their hockey careers, Carli and Stacey are very different players.
"Carli is a well-composed player with good distribution skills - she reads the game really well, which is why she's so successful in the midfield," said Stacey.
"Stacey is very fast, with great ball control, and she's a very determined player," said Carli.
The duo left their Northland hockey roots last year and are in Auckland, Stacey attending St Cuthbert's College, Epsom, and Carli studying to become a teacher at Auckland University.
In addition to the Junior Black Sticks' Squad, the girls are hoping to once again represent North Harbour in the National Hockey League and the Northern region under-21 hockey team.
The squad for the 2009 Junior World Cup will be announced in December this year.