Oz hockey player hit in face,dies during match

Watkins,a former state junior representative,collapsed unconscious when the ball deflected off a stick and hit her on the head,match officials said.

Watkins died in an ambulance on the way to hospital after attempts were made to revive her at the ground,officials said.

Hockey Australia chief executive Mark Anderson expressed his organisation8217;s support and sympathies to the Watkins family.

8220;Field Hockey is a sport that is known for its strong sense of community. I know that members of our two national teams and players involved at all levels of our sport are saddened by this tragic event,8221; Anderson said in a statement.

8220;The Kookaburras men8217;s national team wore black arm bands in the final of the London International Invitational Hockey Tournament overnight out of respect for Lizzie and her family,8221; he said.

Australia8217;s five-time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer said via Twitter he was devastated by the news,which was 8220;such a sad day in the hockey world.8221;