Lulu Lunches with Mighty Roos

When three year old Lulu Winslade travelled with mother Michelle to the Junction Hotel on the weekend to wish her Nanna a happy birthday, she wasn't expecting to run into an ice hockey team.

But that's exactly what happened, when the little girl from Aberglasslyn made a bunch of new friends from the Australian National Men's Ice Hockey Team, after they approached mum Michelle asking if they could give Lulu a signed program.

'It was really nice of them, really unexpected' said Michelle Winslade. 'They were great with her, I even got a little teary'.

Little Lulu obviously loved the attention and the players enjoyed spending some time with her in between some gruelling ice sessions while they prepare for their World Championship Division running next week at Warners Bay's Hunter Ice Skating Stadium. Lulu won't be able to make any of the Australian side's 8pm games due to her early bedtime, but hopes to stop by the rink during one of their training sessions this week after she undergoes therapy for her Cerebral Palsy at nearby Croudace Bay.

'It was a real picture, seeing the guys with little Lulu' said Team Manager Ross Noga. 'I just had to grab the camera and get a shot of it.'

The Mighty Roos head to Sydney tonight to play a pre-tournament game versus the Australian Ice Hockey League All-Stars in Penrith, before returning to home base Newcastle for their final few days of camp. The first game for Australia is Monday.