Lazarus Blythe and Mitch Nicol stood out to scouts when they competed with the Mount Isa team at the state championships held in Rockhampton last week. 

They must now train hard for the state trials to be held in March next year. From there four teams among girls and boys squads will be selected to compete in the Australian Championships.

The championships will be held in April in Wollongong, NSW.

Mitch, 14, has played hockey for T Birds Hockey Club for five years. He has played with the men’s team for the last three years. This season the team won the premiership. 

The Good Shepherd Catholic College student has not trained at the state hockey squad level before. Mitch said that he would have been selected for scoring the three goals against Cairns’ division two side during the championships. 

“It was our first turf game which obviously there is not (any) out here,” Mitch said. 

“It is a whole different skill level on turf. It’s a lot harder. 

“I saw an opportunity and I tried it. Turf is a lot better because it’s a lot easier to shoot.” 

Mitch had only returned from the 17 hour bus trip from Rockhampton the day before he learned he had reached the state squad. 

On Friday morning he learned from his parents about his achievement. 

“I felt pretty ecstatic when I found out,” Mitch said. “It is pretty crazy considering we’re so rural. Getting into a state side is pretty rare.”

His father Stuart said the family was “proud as punch” with Mitch’s achievement. 

“We are super proud of him as you would expect,” Mr Nicol said. 

Mr Nicol described his son as a “born athlete” who clearly inherited his ability from his mother Caroline, who has represented Mount Isa. 

“The worst part about it is he can sit on a computer all day, does no training. He won age champion for the interschool sport, no training, comes out, plays hockey, no training,” Mr Nicol said. 

“He just needs to be pushed a bit." 

Mr Nicol said his son would have to train hard leading up to the state trials, and had already received offers from the local hockey community to help train.

“He has got so much natural ability as an athlete.”