And he's in the best position to make such a statement as he approaches his third year as the Regional Coaching Coordinator for Hockey NSW.

A three-decade involvement in the sport adds further fuel to the fire; McIntosh knows what he's talking about.

"We've got representative players across all junior age divisions for NSW and a number of those have gone on to represent Australia through school sport," he said.

"We're still yet to crack one in the national senior squads, but I think it will only be a matter of time with the quality of players we've got coming through.

"In the last 10 years that I've been involved, there has been a huge development in the quality of players and the quality of competitions we have in Port Macquarie."

McIntosh first picked up a stick at the age of 10 when growing up in the Southern Tablelands and alternated between hockey and basketball.

He soon realised hockey was where his future was going to lie.

"I started playing back in Crookwell as a youngster, then spent 10 years over in Bathurst playing there and in the end realised I was far too short to be much of a basketballer so hockey it was," he said.

Three years ago he was offered the job as Regional Coaching Coordinator, covering an area from Forster to Woolgoolga.

He now provides the link for players between local and representative level and admitted there had been challenges around perception.

"I couldn't care less what club anyone's from - if you can play, you can play and if you are playing, that's awesome," he said.

"My main motivation is around promotion of playing hockey because there are so many rewarding parts.

"It can be anything from watching a little kid who has never picked up a hockey stick before hit a ball for the first time.

"For others, it's scoring their first goal right through to kids I've worked with in the development squads, getting picked in high representative sides and having their hard work rewarded that way."

He never takes his role for granted.

"I hope to still be doing this for as long as possible," he said.

"I'm really lucky I get to work in the sport I'm really passionate about and that most people have it as a hobby, but I get to have it as a job."

When McIntosh isn't helping coach Camden Haven's A-grade women's side or unveiling the next generation of players, he is national manager for Living for Hockey, a not-for-profit organisation which deals with youth and mental health issues.

"That's about getting kids involved in team sports and helping break down the barriers to participation like cost and equipment," he said.

"We work around the country promoting good mental health and what hockey can do for that."

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