FROM three rounds of selection trials that started in November, Lara Watts has gained a berth in the NSW under 18 women's hockey team to play in the Australian championships in Hobart in April.
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Final trials were held at Moorebank. Lara made the NSW Blues (the No 2) side last season, so she reasoned she was a good chance to make one of the two teams heading to Hobart.
However, she wasn't as confident of gaining a place in the No 1 squad.
"I thought I was about 50/50,'' she said.
Lara obviously did enough and she'll continue her run of selections for NSW that started when she was named in the under 13s in 2015. She also been a regular member of State indoor teams.
Lara is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.
She's not sure what position she'll be playing in the championships, although she's hoping it will be as a defensive midfield.
NSW has dominated the under 18s women's division for a number of years and the 2019 side is again expected to be the team to beat.
"I think about half of last year's team is there again,'' Lara explained.
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Hockey NSW will also use the championships as talent identification for State under 21 sides along with institute of sport squads.
The trip to Tasmania will be the start of what will be another busy year for the 17-year-old, who is in year 12 at Taree High School.
Lara will again play with premiers Town in the Manning division one competition. The youthful Town side returned to top grade last year and won the club's first division one title in more than 20 years with a last minute result over Chatham in the grand final.
Lara will also be a member of Taree High side looking to win the NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) knockout for a third consecutive year. Lara was a goal scorer in Taree's 3-1 win over Orange in last year's final.
Lara would also be expected to gain selection in the Hunter team for the State CHS championships. Hunter will be looking for an unprecedented fifth successive State title. Lara will also have a commitment with Manning in the State under 18 championships to be played in Taree in May.
This year Lara will branch out by playing in Newcastle with Souths Hockey Club. She'll link with fellow Taree players Bree Pensini and Tahni Walters in the side.
Matches will be played either Friday night or Saturday mornings and Lara assures the additional travel won't faze her.
Lara will still be eligible for under 18s next year so she's hoping to retain her place in the NSW team in 2020.
"It would be good if I could make an under 21 team as well,'' she said.
