The local association had seven teams at the event last year and returned with six gold medals and a silver, a performance they will hope to emulate.

Boys and girls squads will be represented in under 13s, under 15s and under 17s.

HAW Representative Director Chantel Lavis puts the recent success down to a number of local players with representative experience at state level.

“I think the Spitfires and Strikers Capital League teams have helped and made the juniors strive to reach higher goals,” she said.

“Having these avenues available has made it a bit easier to go down that path and pursue their hockey. 

“Quite often in the school holidays we have programs where the kids can practice their skills a bit more and learn some new ones.”

Lavis added that a majority of the under 17s have played together since the under 13s, while about half of this year’s under 13s are new faces.