At the start of 2020, Ben Staines was another in a long list of Goulburn's state hockey representatives.
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By the time the Olympics roll around in 2021, he may join the very short list of locals to have represented Australia.
Whether or not he does pull on the national jersey depends on his performance in the upcoming Hockey Australia 'super camp'.
Staines is due to leave for the camp, which takes place in Perth, in roughly a week. Due to COVID-19, he will have to quarantine for two weeks prior to the camp, which also runs for a fortnight.
Attendees at the camp will be made up of members of Australia's current Olympic squad, and a handful of hopefuls - like Staines - who have been selected to test their mettle.
Should the newcomers impress, they may be up for a spot in the squad ahead of the Olympics in July, which have been rescheduled from 2020 due to the coronavirus.
"The Olympic squad that [Hockey Australia] had chosen for 2020 is what they're sticking with for 2021 Olympics now," Staines said.
"But they've added to that squad just to unturn all the rocks and look at all their options."
Staines' selection in the camp came off the back of his performances for the National Development Squad and Australia A against Belgium A in January.
That brief international experience gave Staines an insight into the level required to play top-tier hockey.
"Every player you come up against is elite, you don't have the space you would here around Goulburn and Canberra," he said.
"Every player is the best in their country and they're fighting for a position. It's next-level stuff, you can't drop the ball. You've always got to be on your game."
Now that he is headed to Perth to mix with current Kookaburras, Staines knows he will need to put on the performance of his life.
"They'll select you if you train really well," he said.
"They're pretty set on the squad they've got at the minute, but if you train unreal and present yourself, you could be in with a chance."
Staines is unsure exactly what to expect during his fortnight in Perth, but said the squad will most likely be split in two and pit against one another.
Though the opportunity ahead would be daunting for many his age, Staines revels in the pressure and intends to impress the selectors.
"I'll be going over there to make a mark," he said.
"I'll take in as much as I can, but it'd be good to go over there and take something away from it."
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