A BUMPER number of Margaret River underwater hockey players have been selected for state representation.
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Fifteen players were recently invited to the Australian National Underwater Hockey Championships to be held in Sydney in January.
Margaret River Underwater Hockey Club coach Chris Wenman said this was the biggest competition of the year, aside from the annual World Age Group Championships in Spain.
"The amount of Margaret River players selected for state representation in the 2015 National Championships is outstanding," Mr Wenman said.
"This shows the strength of the club, and also the depth of quality players in the making with so many juniors participating."
The younger players selected to compete include Janaya Beddow and James Iredale for the under 15 team, Lilly Ladd-McGovern, Emma Horak, Esther Pedrick and Ella Croft for the under 15A team and Natalie Iredale and Lochie Pendlebury for the under 19s.
"Margaret River Underwater Hockey Club has always catered for juniors as young as eight," Mr Wenman said.
"By the time some of these players reach 12 to 14 they are very skilled and provide strong numbers for state representation and for some, national representation."
Emma Horak, 13, was selected for nationals last year and found the experience required her full commitment.
"Every day you do two games minimum then have lunch and then you talk the rest of the day about how you can improve," she said.
Adults selected from Margaret River include Mr Wenman, Pat Kelly, Gareth Mann, Mat Hinchcliffe and Peter Croft for the country masters team, Clare Forward for the women's team, and Jason Miezis for the men's.
Mr Wenman will also coach the West Australian under 15As while Mr Miezis fulfils his role as assistant coach for the WA Men's team.
Mr Wenman said underwater hockey was popular with adults in the region as it complemented the popular sports of surfing and diving.
People eager to try underwater hockey can contact Chris Wenman on 0404 046 059.
Open games are played 6pm Mondays and Fridays and 7pm Wednesdays.
Women's-only games are held 6pm Wednesdays, and Juniors-only games are 6pm Fridays.
