With 11 of the region’s hockey players donning blue and yellow colours at the Junior Hockey National Championships, Goulburn represents an integral part of ACT teams.

Add that to the four juniors selected to play for NSW, and it’s a staggering feat for Goulburn hockey, and one that firmly proves the region as a nursery for hockey talent.

For 14-year-old Regan Handley, her selection into the under-15 ACT girls team is her first state representation.

She’ll be playing alongside fellow hometown girl Hannah James when they compete in Southport Queensland from April 11-19.

“Dad rang me and told me I had made the squad,” she said.

“I just did a happy dance!”

Lachlan Norberg, 14, is also a first time representee and will play for the under- 15 ACT boys in Tasmania.

“It’s a big responsibility and I don’t really know how well I’m going to go, but the best I can do is just try,” he told the Post.

The youngster will be in good company with mates Brady Deaton and Jacob McGregor by his side.

“It’s good to have someone that I know who can play with me and if he can see me doing anything wrong he can tell me,” he said.

“We have weekly training, we can bond more as a team.”

The blue and yellow ACT colours are not unusual for Aleshia Price. But this year marks her first foray into under-18 territory.

“Bigger girls bigger competition,” she explained.

“It’s a lot harder training, going up an age, but there’s not much difference, it’s that older girls just know a bit more.”

Price joins fellow Goulburnians Mikayla Evans, Jayde Bub, Renae Robinson and Ellen Cornish in the ACT side.

“She’s on the younger side of under 18s too so that’s a feather in her cap of how well she’s doing,” veteran hockey coach Andy Woolner said.

“I’d say she’s one of the best talents coming out of Goulburn.”

The veteran coach says the number of Goulburnians competing at the National Championships around the country next month is a testament to the “nursery” Goulburn has become in the last decade.

“Lachlan and Regan, they’ve been on the cusp of selections the last couple of years,” he said.

“I would say their hard work and persistence has paid off and they’ve been recognised.

“I think those little skills they’ve picked up in seniors would have helped.”

Jacob Morison was also selected for the ACT boys under-18 side to compete in Melbourne from April 8-16.