Spinifex State College Year 7 student Luke Bartolo has been selected in the Queensland School Sport 10-12 Years Boys Hockey State Merit team.
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Luke's family and school community are very proud of his achievements. Unfortunately, due to travel restrictions in place their will be no National Hockey Championships this year.
"I am proud that I have made the team, as it has been my dream for a long time to play for Queensland," said Luke.
Although he won't play at the nationals this year, he further stated that he will be striving to make the team next year and represent Mount Isa.
Luke's mother Julie Bartolo explained that this year was the first time a regional North West team had attended the Championships.
"Luke has participated in the Qld 10-12 Years Schoolboys Championships for 3 years. Luke was selected in 2018 for the President's team to compete at the State Championships."
"In 2019, there was no President's team included nor a North West Regional team, therefore he had to go to Townsville to trial for the Northern Region where he successfully made the team."
"Finally in 2020 a North West regional team was included, where our first ever North West team competed at the State Championships," she said.
North West Hockey Team Manager Chris Pocock said Luke's achievement was a fantastic result for the North West team.
"I don't think that people realise that the North West Region is quite a big region that is separated by a large distance, unlike teams on the coast. Some of the boys don't know each other and have never trained or played with each until the day of the carnival," Mr Pocock said.
"During the carnival the North West team won two games, they beat two teams that live in close proximity and possibly train together on a weekly basis, this alone speaks volumes on our players' abilities.
"Luke's achievement is also a great result for Mount Isa Hockey, it proves the quality of the players and the strength of the competition in Mount Isa. It also shows that if you work hard, play hard and play fair you can achieve your goals regardless of if you live in a remote area."
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