Two young local hockey names are quickly becoming ones to remember. 

Hamish Baxter and Christine Fernance have earned selection in the Australian under-16 squads following standout performances at the Hockey Australia championships in Hobart last month.

The achievement not only marks a personal milestone for the pair, but shines a light on the strength of junior talent emerging from the region. 

Both athletes were part of the state teams competing at the national titles, where the NSW girls claimed silver and the boys finished fourth overall. 

Their performances across the week-long tourament, however, caught the attention of selectors, with five girls and three boys from NSW invited into the Australian outfits.

For Baxter, selection in the boys squad is the reward for his consistency and high work rate against the country’s best young talent. 

NSW under-16 head coach Rick Fischer believes the selected athletes were dedicated and focused high-achievers who were very team-oriented.

“Hamish Baxter was our captain and is a very good leader,” he said.

“He’s capable of taking control of games from the centre midfield position and is with very good ball control.

“He has an ability to influence play at real turning points in the game.”

Fernance also showed promise within her state side after a dominant NSW girls’ campaign. 

“Christine plays in the midfield and has great game awareness,” assistant coach Maible Chalmersshe said. 

“She can see everything clearly, always has a plan when she receives the ball, and is always thinking one step ahead.

“She is highly-skilled on the ball, can eliminate anyone, and is a pretty electric player.”

The next step for both teens will be an invitation-only national training camp in October, where they will work under the guidance of Mark Knowles, former captain of the Kookaburras, and Hockey Australia pathway lead Hugh Purvis as part of the national athlete development program. 

This unique experience is designed to expose the country’s best young players to the standards and expectations of elite international hockey. 

It also provides a rare opportunity for teenagers to begin walking the same pathway as Australia’s current stars. 

Having two homegrown emerging athletes progress from local grounds to the national stage reinforces the depth of talent being developed and the pathways available to young athletes within Newcastle.  

And, their journey doesn’t stop in October. 

Following the training camp, all athletes will remain within Hockey Australia’s talent pathway system, where their progress will continue to be monitored as they move toward future representative honours. 

For these young guns, it’s an early but significant step in what could become long representative careers in green and gold. 

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