That’s the key for the Strikers as they prepare for their second season in Capital League Hockey.

The Hockey Albury Wodonga women have already started their pre-season with running and strength training at Noreuil Park under the guidance of Australian senior player Nan Latta.

The Strikers struggled in their debut year in Canberra after winning the Victorian State League 1 in their swansong in that competition.

“We weren’t fit enough or fast enough for the Capital League last year,” Latta said.

“With some hard work now and the addition of some quality juniors coming through the ranks we should be far more competitive this winter.

“There is plenty of interest this year with 22 players on the list, so the girls will have to show their dedication if they want to keep their positions, which is great for the club.”

Latta said the standard of hockey had been a wake-up call.

“We’d come off a fantastic year where we won the state league convincingly,” she said.

“In some ways we didn’t know what to expect when we went to Canberra and perhaps were lulled into believing we would continue in that vein after playing the two weakest sides in the opening games.

“After that it was a real battle against physical and skilled oppositions.

“But if we can lift our workrate — and that relies on fitness — I’m confident we have a squad that can compete with the best in the competition.”

Latta will continue in caretaking pre-season role with Hockey Albury-Wodonga yet to announce a Strikers coach for the coming season.

“But if you think you have what it takes and would like to be a part of the team look us up on the Albury/Wodonga Hockey website,” she said.

Pre-season training nights for the Strikers are Sunday at 5pm and Tuesday at 6pm at Noreuil Park’s River Deck Cafe.