It is one of the largest representations the club has had at the nationals with two junior members, Zephyr Morris and Sunny Pasco, and a master (over 35) Chris Wenman making their first appearance there.

“It (the number of players competing in the nationals) is a great indication of how successful the Margaret River Underwater Hockey Club is,” Wenman said.

“We are also working on developing young players aged 10 years up to follow in the shoes of those competing at the nationals.”

Margaret River players representing their state in the Under 19 division are Hayden Wenman, Meg Pardoe, Morris and Pasco.

Clare Forward, Jasmine Mann and Sunny Hardy are in the WA Ladies team, Jason Miezis is in the WA Men’s team and in the WA Country Masters team the club will be represented by Mark Nathan, Chris Wenman, Mark Lee, Pat Kelly, Gareth Mann and Gene Hardy.

The nationals, which started on Sunday and conclude tomorrow, pit teams of local players against representative teams from every state and, in the case of country representative teams, against their greatest rivals - city teams at Challenge Stadium.

The Margaret River club trains at the recreation centre pool Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, with junior training on Fridays and Ladies on Wednesdays.

Players wear flippers, goggles, snorkel and mouth guards and use a plastic or wooden hockey stick, about 40cm long, to hit a plastic-covered metal puck, which weighs about 1kg, along the bottom of the pool.

Anyone interested in trying underwater hockey can visit the club web site at www.margaretriverunderwaterhockey club.com or phone Chris Wenman, 0404 046 059.