Lara damaged ligaments playing touch football last January. She was sidelined for six weeks.

"They said I would have been better off breaking it,'' she said.

Lara recovered in time for the hockey season. However, she rolled the dodgy ankle a fortnight before the State championships to be held in Tamworth, where she was a member of the Manning side that played in division one. There were initial fears the injury would force her out of the team.

But Lara's a quick healer and after some intense treatment she was able to take her place in the team. Manning made the semi-finals of the championship and Lara and team-mate Bree Pensini were selected in the train-on squad for the State side to play in the Australian championships in Sydney next September. Both were selected in the NSW No 1 team.

Lara is this week's Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana. Bree will win a sportstar award before the she heads to the national titles.

Lara said her troublesome ankle didn't bother her during at Tamworth, although it was heavily strapped.

Playing in the midfield she scored seven goals, including two in the 5-2 semi-final loss to Northern Beaches.

Manning has retained a place in division one for next year. Lara was a member of the side that won division two in 2014.

Forty five players were named in the train-on squads for State slection held on the Central Coast. Lara now expects to play either in the midfield or the forwards with the NSW side.

Lara made the train-on group last year but missed the final cut.

"I was a bit more experienced this year,'' she said.

While hockey is her favoured sport, Lara's a versatile athlete. On weekends she plays four games of hockey with Sharks in the juniors and Town in the women's division two and three.

She enjoys playing with Town in the senior competition.

"Although some of the games can get a bit rough,'' she smiled.

Lara mixes hockey with soccer, where she's a member of the unbeaten Moorland side.

Most weekends she's able to play both.

"Sometimes I have to miss a game of hockey,'' she said.

She's also had success as a cross country runner. However, Lara admits she enjoys a rest during summer.

"Going to the beach,'' she answered when asked her favourite past-time in the warmer months.