For the third year in a row, Taree's Brady Cross has been selected in a NSW hockey side for the national championships.
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After playing for the under 13s field side in 2018 and the under 13s indoor side in 2019, Brady was selected in the under 15s Blues squad to compete in the now cancelled national field titles in Bathurst in April.
The championships have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Brady is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.
He was originally named in a 40-strong train-on squad.
"We had to keep training through winter and summer," Brady said.
He then attended trials in December and February. From there he was chosen for the Blues squad.
He kept an open mind about his chances of selection.
"I really didn't know, yes I had been in the squads before but there were some other really good players (in the trials)," Brady said.
He would have played as a defender in the tournament.
Brady said the other NSW side would have been a top contender for the national championship.
"NSW in general has the best hockey players in Australia," Brady said confidently.
"Looking at the Hockey One competition, NSW has beaten every other State."
NSW in general has the best hockey players in Australia.
- Brady Cross, hockey player
Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia would have also been tough competition.
Brady is gearing up for another season with Sharks in the Manning competition and for Norths in Newcastle.
The competitions are currently suspended due to, you guessed it, the coronavirus pandemic.
"There's hope the (Manning) season will start in May," Brady said.
Much to the delight of the keen athlete, officials hope all 20 matches will be played this season.
That could mean matches will be played on Thursday and Friday nights.
Brady is also a prolific swimmer.
He's disappointed Combined High School championships in April have been cancelled.
He remains a member of Black Head Surf Life Saving Club but has been unable to compete in major carnivals recently due to hockey commitments.
Last year, he was named joint Surf Life Saving Lower North Coast branch junior lifesaver of the year.
While he's at home with impending school closures, Brady will work on his running and stick work.
Swimming training will also a good excuse to jump in his pool at home.
