Port Macquarie-Hastings Hockey Association to host under-13 state hockey selection trials

The most important will be home ground advantage with the region to host the trials for the first time.

Importantly, it is further indication what the complex could host in the future.

Five local players including 13-year-old Bayden Smith will compete against nearly 100 of the state’s most talented young players.

He will be joined by Zara Ferguson along with Camden Haven trio Evie and Teleah Walker and Taj McIntosh.

They will all vie for a spot in the final squad of 32 boys and 32 girls which will be selected at the end of the weekend.

Smith will benefit from the knowledge he gained at last year’s trials in Newcastle when he made the state side despite being one of the younger players.

“I was playing with bigger, stronger boys (last year) and (playing) in the top age this year I might perform better,” he said.

“I’m expecting there are going to be people as good as me and it’ll be tough.”

Smith said he learned last year that he needed to be “stronger on the ball”, but was hopeful he would again make the final side.

He was also looking forward to waking up in his own bed.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Hockey Association president Simon Thresher believed it was a great opportunity to showcase the region.

Thresher was hopeful it could be another step in proving Port Macquarie was capable of holding future state events.

“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication that our local hockey community has put into developing not only the sport, but the facilities as well,” he said.

“We hope this will be the start of many Hockey NSW events to be hosted here in Port Macquarie.”

The PMHHA president also believed upgrades to the lights and amenities at the complex would allow for future events to be held in the region.

“Port Macquarie-Hastings Hockey Association along with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council hopes to become one of the premier regional hockey facilities within NSW,” he said.