The humble teenager would rather let her actions on the hockey pitch do the talking, so you can sense she is a little blown away by all the fanfare.

But she should be used to it after being selected in the under-15 state side 12 months ago.

While she will be one of the younger – if not the youngest – players in the squad, Toohey is looking forward to the challenge.

She first took up the sport in 2008 after watching it on television at the Olympics and hasn’t looked back.

Her rise up the ranks is even more remarkable when you consider hockey doesn’t run in the family.

“I started in 2008 when I was seven,” she said.

“None of mum or dad played so it was a bit out of the blue that I was interested. I watched the Olympics and came out one night and said I’d like to play hockey and that was where it started.”

The side was selected after trials in Sydney last weekend where players were pushed to their limits in temperatures nudging the mid-30s.

“It was with a squad of about 60 or 70 and was over two days,” she said.

“We did a bit of testing that included a beep test and we speed testing and drills, but mostly there were games the selectors watched.

“It definitely surprised me, because I was more about going down and giving it a go. You don’t really get picked at bottom age, so to get picked was a massive shock, I thought I was reading the wrong list, I couldn’t believe it.”

Toohey’s selection in the NSW squad is the highest representation she has achieved so far.

“This is an older age group, so everything is more selective and you’ve got to train really hard,” she said.

While there were too many people to single out, the teenager said she wouldn’t have been in a position to make the squad without their help.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Hockey Association president Simon Thresher has watched Toohey work hard.

“For her to achieve this state selection in the number one team, it is not only wonderful news for her but our sport in the region as whole,” he said.

“To have role models like Annika in Port Macquarie paves the way for younger kids; it lets them know with hard work and dedication you can make it.”

Thresher said it proved that while the Hastings was not a stronghold in state hockey, they had the local coaches, resources and role models for our kids to achieve their goals.

“I have no doubts that this will not be the last time we see Annika in the state colours.”

The national titles will be held in Hobart in April.