The gun Tacking Point Thunder player is the only player in the region to be selected for the Australian All Schools Team, who will take on South Africa’s best players in a three game series.

They will play in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, beginning on June 29.

“We’d love to get bragging rights over South Africa,” she said.

“Playing striker for the last three of four years I find I enjoy the quickness, the cat and mouse game you can play with the defender.

“Putting a goal in the net is a pretty good feeling too.”

News of her selection was bittersweet, as she found out just after a heartbreaking sudden death shoot out loss to Queensland in the final of the Pacific School

“But it was surprising to hear I had been selected. I’m just enjoying playing while it stays fun, and I’ll just see what comes,” she said.

“I love everything about hockey. It’s a fast game, it’s fit, the social side of it is awesome to have friends here, across the state and now across the country.”

Ben Hamlin, Toohey’s regional coaching coordinator, said the gifted player is deserving of her selection.

“I’ve been working with Annika since March. The dedication she puts into training is a big reason why she deserves her Australian selection,” he said.

“She is a naturally gifted athlete, very quick and agile. She’s also starting to learn to slow her decision making down rather than rushing things.

“She’s developed her game over the ball to develop her game off the ball. The experience she’ll get from this trip will help further develop her skills.”