South-west hockey players were treated to a visit from two Hockeyroos on Thursday.
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Defender Sophie Taylor and arguably the world's best female goal keeper Rachael Lynch ran clinics at the Warrnambool and District Hockey Association (WDHA) field.
South West Academy of Sport (SWAS) hockey players got the chance to learn from the national representatives.
SWAS athlete Callum Bridge is both a goal keeper and field player so he enjoyed learning from both Aussie players.
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He said Lynch had given him some great advice.
"She's helped me a lot with my hands and where they sit (as a goal keeper)," he said.
The 15-year-old was thrilled to get such high-calibre players to Warrnambool.
"We never get any of this stuff because we're regional," he said.
"It's all in Melbourne so we've got to travel.
"Having it here is an advantage for everyone."
The youngster is part of both Technique and WestVic hockey clubs.
Lynch said it was a pleasure for her and Taylor to visit the south-west.
"These are the communities we want to be supporting and I've certainly found with my Stomp Goalkeeping clinics and things like that, it's towns like these that really embrace it," she said.
The top goal keeper said she taught drills the athletes could practice in their own time.
"Sometimes as a goalie you're not going to have a coach, so I try give and them some skills they can do by themselves," she said.
The pair also mentored Limestone Coast Regional Sporting Academy athletes and WDHA's under 13 girls academy.
"I think it's awesome that we get the opportunity to pass on skills and things we've learnt through our junior career," Taylor said. "To be able to give back and help the next generation."
Taylor was pleased to have so many girls at the under 13 session.
"To see that many girls so enthused and wanting to be there playing hockey, it's really special to see," she said.
The Hockeyroos are aiming for gold at the Tokyo Olympics in July and August next year.
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