Lachlan Butler, Nick O’Connor and Luke Maher are on their way to Darwin for the boys’ championships, while Billie Mitchell will head to Sydney to take on the girls when their championships begin Friday.

Armidale’s Nathan Czinner will also head to the Northern Territory with the boys.

The young stars were selected from the State Championships in Taree and Tamworth in July, but are in for a huge week of action.

The sides will play 11 games, with the final matches to be played the following Friday.

The format is based on points and for and against, with no finals to be played every match counts and the pressure is on.

Fortunately the local players have been hard at training, preparing for the busy schedule and a step up in skill level.

Butler has done it all before, playing in last year’s U13s NSW Blues squad, as well as taking the gold at the National Indoor Championships earlier this year for NSW, as did Mitchell with the girls.

The attacking midfielder said last year was an excellent trip, and especially enjoyed the experience of hanging around his National Hockey League heroes, which he will get the chance to do again in Darwin as they hold their own tournament at the same time.

“Hanging around those experienced guys is awesome,” Butler said.

“I look up to them and aspire to be like them, so it is great to get some tips and train with them.” 

“Chris Ciriello was probably my favourite because he is a huge drag flicker.” 

All four Tamworth stars played in at least one Tamworth hockey grand final last weekend, a perfect preparation for the furthest pathway available for young hockey players, with national teams only named in older age groups.

The boys will fly out on Wednesday and take a day to get used to the heat and humidity before the championships begin.

“It’s my first time in Darwin and its going to be awesome,” Butler said.