The selection of Wairarapa College student Shane Hodgkiss in the New Zealand under-16 boys hockey team is a classic example of triumph over adversity. Hodgkiss was laid low for several months by a severe bout of meningitis two years ago but rather than weaken his spirit it was the driving forcebehind his determination to make a name for himself in his favourite sport. "Yes, it was pretty much the thought of playing hockey again which kept me going" he said yesterday. "I never even considered giving it up, I couldn't wait to get back into it " His battle with meningitis came like a bolt from the blue for Hodgkiss. Sickness was accompanied by headaches and he was so ill that for most of the week he spent in hospital he could hardly walk. The worst aspect of the slow recovery process was missing out on representing Wairarapa at the national under-15 tournament. "That was hard, I was really keen to play there," he said. That Hodgkiss is now back to full health has been evidenced by the outstanding form the prolific-scoring forward has displayed for both Wairarapa College and the Wairarapa under-18 reps this season. But he admits that selection in the national under-16s to play their Queensland counterparts in three matches in early October was unexpected. "I was pretty hopeful I might be in the running but it was still a shock to learn I had made it," he said. "I didn't really have a clue what they were looking for." Hodgkiss , who credits the coaching of his father Tony for his current skill levels, is determined to make every post a winner against Queensland so that he keeps his name in the frame for future national teams. "It's huge to play for your country and I know I have to make the most of this chance," he said.
