NATIONAL title-winning sportsman Riley Profke enjoys the additional speed required to succeed in indoor hockey.
Riley shared the anatomical advantage he brings to representative teams after he played a vital role in Queensland’s latest under-21 Australian championships triumph.
His height, 193cm, gives the Yamanto talent extra reach on the ball and allows him to take faster strides around the court.
Riley, 19, used his special attribute in Canberra, slotting home the winning goal in the extra-time penalty shootout.
His fleet-footed efforts, sealed with a superb strike, secured Queensland an emotion-charged 3-2 grand final victory over NSW.
It was Riley’s first national title in the sport as part of one of the youngest state sides to contest the annual Australian tournament.
“It was pretty stressful,” Riley said of the penalty shootout where he was called upon to break the 2-2 deadlock.
“I’m glad I finished it then and there [in the shootout].”
Riley was thrilled with Queensland’s gold medal performance.
“We actually started off pretty slowly,” he said.
“We just took our time sticking to a structure and once we got that, we just annihilated everybody.”
After the Queenslanders beat the ACT 5-3 in the semi-final, Riley knew the speedy under-21 players could finish the job.
Riley rated the shootout victory the highlight of his indoor hockey career so far.
“I’ve had a couple in outdoor [hockey]. That was my first one in indoor,” he said.
“It definitely takes a lot of stress off my shoulders at a big national championship like that.”
Riley has played hockey for Norths in the Ipswich competition since he was eight.
His first national indoor title came at his seventh Australian championships, having risen up the ranks.
Goalkeeper Beau Milburn was the other Ipswich player in the Queensland under-21 indoor hockey side.
Ex-Norths player and current Hancocks representative Beau was later selected in the Australian Men’s Development team preparing for a tour to Philadelphia later this year.
Riley was named a reserve for the development team.
“I played a lot of my juniors with Beau,” Riley said.
“I think it definitely helped him a lot too just having somebody there to build his confidence up too because he probably was one of the best keepers there, if not the best.”
Riley’s older brother Zac was chosen as a reserve for the Australian open men’s indoor side preparing for the next World Cup.
Zac has been in Oman representing Australia for the first time at the inaugural World Hockey 5’s tournament.
Zac and Riley were part of the Norths’ A-Grade side that beat Hancocks 3-2 in last year’s Ipswich competition grand final.
Their dad Steve was coach and mum Jenny managed the side.
With a new Ipswich hockey season set to resume in March, Riley appreciated his tremendous family backing.
“That’s the reason I’m doing what I do,” the former Bremer State High School student said. “It’s just the best support.”
Jenny made a surprise trip to Canberra to watch Riley seal the winning goal.
Riley appreciated seeing indoor hockey become more professional as an off-season opportunity to outdoor hockey.
Six players are on the court at one time with matches played in 20 minute halves.
“Indoor [hockey] is a lot faster,” Riley said.
“There’s no like trying to break through the middle. It’s all just constant movement, constant running.
“Indoor is just building and building.
“In Europe, it’s probably one of the biggest sporting events around there. It’s growing and growing and all the stands are packed out.”
Riley’s focus switches back to the outdoor game and his club side Norths after his indoor hockey boost.
“I want to try and have a better year than what I had done recently,” he said.
“I’m willing to do the work this year.”
