THREE south-west teenagers have been selected for state under 18 hockey representative squads.
Madi Ratcliffe, Jack White and Max Ferrier will all line up for a state team at the national under 18 championship in Melbourne from April 4 to 12.
Victoria will enter two men’s and women’s sides in the tournament. Ratcliffe will line up for the number one Victorian side while White and Ferrier face another two training sessions before team selections are finalised.
Ratcliffe is no stranger to state representative teams, having already represented Victoria in the under 15s and under 16s. She said the selection process involved playing in three trials under match conditions, which were watched by selectors.
“I probably didn’t try my best in the trials,” she said.
“So it’s pretty exciting to make being selected for the number one side.
“It’s my fourth year playing for the state side and my first year of trying out for the under 18s.”
Ratcliffe said her aim was to make the Australian under 18 futures squad within the next couple of years.
“I made the under 16 squad of 25 this year,” she said.
“From that squad of 25 they took 16 to South Africa, I was picked at number 17 so only just missed out.
“Over the next couple of years while I’m playing under 18s, my aim is to make that final squad.”
A Hockey Victoria spokesman said Victoria and New South Wales would be the only states to have a second team competing at the men’s and women’s under 18 national championships.
jwoolley@fairfaxmedia.com.au
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