Macey Fulton, Charlize Fitzpatrick and Lily Kable will play across NSW’s two teams in the Under 13s National Field Championships to be held in Hobart later this year.

Fitzpatrick made the squad last year but missed out on final selection. This time she has been named as a core member of the NSW lineup while Fulton and Kable have made the final team in their first attempt.

NSW will field two teams of equal strength at the championships. Fulton is part of the NSW Stars while Fitzpatrick and Kable line up for the NSW Lions.

Fulton’s father, Brad, said Bathurst continues to show it’s junior development program is at the top of its game.

“It’s a whole new batch coming through in this age group and three players from any region is a big number of players to get in,” he said.

“NSW is always quite competitive at these events and I think our girls will do well. Queensland and Victoria will probably be the teams to beat.

“It’s a wonderful sign for Bathurst hockey to see three girls make these sides.”

Fitzpatrick was unlucky not to make the final cut for NSW last year but the Souths player has learned a lot in the year between her qualifying attempts.

Now, according to Fulton, she is likely to be part of the leadership group for the Lions.

“She’s come back this year as one of the best players in the state. She’s one of the top juniors for her age in the country,” he said.

“She probably could have made the team last year, but these things happen, and what matters is that she’s there now and would have been one of the first players picked.

“Now she’s that bit older, stronger and faster. When you look across the two teams she’d be one of two or three players that they will be looking to dominate in these games.

“She thoroughly deserves this and has such a great game. She’s head and shoulders above a lot of other girls at that level.”

It’s an exciting moment for Macey Fulton and Kable, both 12, who have made it into the championships as bottom age players.

“They’ll have another year in the division and NSW like to put in a few younger players because they know that by next year they’ll be bigger and stronger, much like how Charlie is now,” Fulton said.

“Having two 12-year-olds in the side is promising. By next year they can build the team around those younger kids.

Fulton, Fitzpatrick and Kable earned their place in the NSW squad courtesy of their excellent performances at the Under 13s State Championship for Bathurst.

The July tournament was one to remember for Bathurst as they were joint division two winners at the Taree tournament.

Bathurst maintained an undefeated record throughout the championships, drawing with a strong Newcastle outfit in the decider.

Other Central West representative in the NSW teams are Chloe Carty (Parkes) and Jessica Healey (Orange). Both line up alongside Fulton in the Stars side.

The Under 13s National Championships will run from October 4 to 10 in Hobart.