MOUNT Gambier hockey player Lochie Nisbet will don the national colours when he represents the Australian Under 21 country team in the Oceania Pacific Cup in Fiji this December.
Selected for the team after his performance in the Australian Country Hockey Championships in Berri last month, Nisbet will take to the international stage from December 6 to 16.
South Australia finished sixth in the Berri tournament, but Nisbet stood out, along with fellow SA player Brodie Carrigan who also made the squad.
To add to the excitement, the trip will be Nisbet’s first overseas journey, which he said will add another level to the experience.
“To go overseas for the first time when you’re playing hockey, that’s pretty cool,” he said.
“And wearing the Australian colours too.”
Nisbet went through several selections just to make the South Australian country team, competing in three tournaments before making the national team.
“You start off down here and get selected for the team down here,” he said.
“Then you go up to Adelaide and play in that tournament and you get selected for the state event (in Berri).
“Then from there you are selected for this one.”
The Oceania Pacific Cup will open many opportunities for the 20-year-old, as he aims to see how far he can take his sport of choice.
Nisbet has played hockey for about 15 years now and currently competes at the top level in Mount Gambier.
He was a valuable part of Tigers’ Division 1 men’s premiership side in the Lower South East hockey grand final on the weekend.
Looking forward, Nisbet said a place in the Australian Hockey League would be the ultimate goal, but he is just taking it one step at a time.
“I’d like to go into the Australian Hockey tournament, the AHL or something like that,” he said.
“I will probably play in Adelaide next year.
“The AHL would be pretty cool to get into, but that is a long way away.
“I will see what happens from this and see where I can go.”
Nisbet is seeking sponsorship to help him on his journey.
